Revealed Mystery: What's the purpose behind the knotted tops on wool caps?
The bobble hat, a knitted beanie hat adorned with a pom-pom or "bobble" on top, has a rich history that spans practical origins, cultural significance, and fashionable appeal.
Originating as a practical item for warmth, the bobble hat can trace its roots back to the Scottish tam o’ shanter, a wool cap with a central pom-pom that dates back centuries as traditional Scottish headwear. The pom-pom served both as decoration and to prevent the hat’s fabric from unravelling.
In the 16th century, the bobble hat, known as Monmouth caps, gained popularity in England and Wales. It was a humble yet essential item, made out of necessity to keep warm in cold climates.
Fast forward to the 1900s, and the bobble hat found a new home in the United States, where it was often referred to as a toboggan hat, as people wore them when sledging. In the southern states, the name 'boggin' has come to refer to the hat, not a sled.
The sporting world embraced the bobble hat in the mid-20th century, especially in winter sports like skiing, where its warmth and sporty style became almost iconic in its association with cold-weather activities. This practicality spread into wider casual fashion, where its cozy and playful pom-pom element became a trend in streetwear and outdoor apparel.
Culturally, the bobble hat evokes a mix of heritage (Scottish identity), working-class tradition, and modern urban fashion. It serves as an informal and approachable style that carries charm and nostalgia, while also being embraced by designers and brands. The bobble on top adds a distinctive character that separates it from regular beanies or knit caps.
In recent times, the bobble hat has been spotted on the heads of notable figures such as Jens Martin Knudsen, the goalkeeper of the Faroe Islands, who wore a knitted woolen hat during a match in the 1990 European Championships, which the team won against Austria. The Princess Royal and The Princess of Wales have also been early adopters of the bobble hat.
The bobble hat experienced a revival in the Swinging Sixties, in part due to Mike Nesmith of the pop group The Monkees, who wore a green bobble hat during the show. Jens Martin Knudsen's famous bobble hat is now on display at the FIFA Museum in Zurich, Switzerland.
Interestingly, the pompom on the bobble hat was initially used for practical purposes, such as protecting sailors' heads from low ceilings and hatchways on board ship. In various societies, the pompom has been used as a symbol of identification, indicating the wearer’s place in the hierarchy or marital status.
From its humble beginnings as a practical item for warmth to its current status as a fashionable accessory, the bobble hat continues to captivate and charm, leaving a warm and playful imprint on our winter wardrobes.
