Historical
The tradition of wearing beanies with pom poms dates back to the Viking era in the 8th century. A statue of the Norse god Freyr wearing what resembled a pom pom hat was uncovered in 1904, making it the earliest known example of pom poms on headgear.
It is unclear whether Vikings wore pom poms to signify their status, or whether it was just for decorative purposes. However, research shows that certain Indigenous cultures were also wearing pom poms on clothing and headwear at this time to signify their marital status or social standing.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, pom poms were used in military uniforms across Europe to indicate the soldiers rank and regiment. French sailors were also known to wear hats with pom poms to protect them from bumping their heads on the low ceilings of ships or when the seas were rough.
Practical
Although less common today, pom poms were once used to help improve the fit and warmth of a beanie. When placed on top of a knitted hat, the pom pom covers the top stitching, preventing warmth from escaping.
The pom pom also acts as an easy ‘grab point’ for removing the beanie while wearing gloves!
Aesthetic
Often associated with youth fashion, pom poms are a fun, fashionable detail that adds personality and flair to a standard beanie. You can customise your beanie with any style, size or colour pom pom that you like; oversized and brightly coloured pom poms are a particularly popular playful touch!
