Watchcap or Beanie

Watch cap, beanie… call it what you will, this classic design has a fascinating and complex history woven into its deceptively simple stitching. From Norse Gods to Steve McQueen, it boasts an impressive roll call of fans. Here, we join those ranks and doff our cap to the hardest-working hat in the business.

There are many names for this woolly hat such as Monmouth cap from the Monmouth in Medieval England dated from 14th century so popular with labourers, soldier & sailors that by the 16th century Queen Elizabeth passed a law that all working men must wear one on a Sunday in 1571 to help protect the wool industry

Its popularity is also anywhere its’s cold so it was quite popular in Canada during the winter for outdoorsmen where it is called a Tuque most likely by way of the French revolution but its real past lying in Ancient Greece as an ancestor to the Phrygian cap & en route a little later through Rome where is was known as the Liberty Cap, all quite Gnome like..

In more modern times this came into military use as the Jeep cap for soldiers in the US Army, it could be worn under their helmets & the Watch Cap in the US Navy named so as it is worn on watch on deck..

The name - Beanie - there are several explanations to this but let’s stick with the simplest as it’s possibly the funniest, it probably derives from the slang term yer "bean", meaning yer "head".

Whatever you call it, the woollen cap is a perfect example of form and function in clothing. It keeps your head warm with the simplest design possible, no-frills, no fanfare. 

Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s strictly utilitarian – not all beanies are born equal. Materials vary, build quality differs, and colour combinations allow people to personalise a look with a pop of colour even in whiteout conditions. 

Ours are made in Scotland from 100% lambswool using only natural dyes. You can see for yourself here.