| 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. “I usually wear mine pretty flat or horizontal,” says Jake McCabe, a creative director based in London who first started wearing micro beanies as a teenager. “It brings a nice balance and silhouette. The exposed ears are really just a symptom of them being rolled up so many times.” The practice, referred to by this paper as “helixing” (it exposes the part of the ear called the helix), sounds pointless on paper, particularly during a cold snap. But McCabe and others insist the micro beanie still keeps them warm as most of the head is covered. Unsurprisingly, micro beanies have become an object of ridicule and are frequently memed. “An instant ick,” read numerous comments. “Teenie weenie beanies” were even the subject of a Jimmy Fallon skit featuring Paul Rudd. But if anything the taunting has only enhanced their appeal. In the same way that Perello olives and Daunt Books tote bags have become social style signifiers, the placement of a micro beanie says a lot more about the wearer than simply suggesting they are just having a bad hair day. | 