As an arctic blast hit the UK this week, most of us turned to our trusty puffer jackets and woolly hats. Others dug out something a little more surprising from their accessories arsenal: a micro beanie.
Worn high across the forehead, these bijou beanies are purposely rolled up by wearers, leaving their ears exposed to the elements. With roots in maritime and military settings – they were originally rolled up to avoid any obstruction to hearing – they are sometimes called fisherman or watch caps. But rather than being worn on the high seas, they are now sported by creative types in offices and coffee shops from London to Lancaster.