Style Cynics

When I was a kid, we wore beanies in the wintertime, complete with snowsuit, boots and wet woollen mittens. We lost them frequently, to find them the next spring wet and half-disintegrated under the melted snow. Now that I’m unfortunately older, beanies seem to be the thing to wear among the people wanting to make a fashion statement. Thankfully, Affliction’s made beanies that, instead of dripping with snow, actually have style. If you lost these hats under the snow, you’d be throwing away a work of art. Not cool at all.

The Affliction Winged Reaper beanie is one of the company’s offerings, and really, the thing is amazing. My favorite thing about Affliction clothing is their careful attention to artistry and detail. This hat has exactly what’s needed for rap and rock n’ roll stars to make their edgy statement, but also gives a regular guy on the street what he needs to look cool among his peers. I never have understood the idea of wearing a beanie in all weathers until I saw this one.

Made of black wool, the hat sports a leather appliqué patch in the form of a slashed A and a corresponding embroidered logo on the back. If you’re not sure what designer you’re wearing, well, you’ve got two reminders. Actually, the logo isn’t that garish – it fits with the hat’s design. When you’ve only got so much room to fit a designer logo on a hat, it’s pretty cool that you can do it twice, and have it not be too conspicuous, let alone look cool.

My favorite part of this hat is the twin winged reapers on the front. These skeletal beings, picked out in silver, kneel next to a river, framed by detailed trees and other nature. The juxtaposition is interesting, and even if you’re not concerned with what the design actually means, like I am, the effect smacks of cool. The tattoo design would look just as good on skin, and the old Baroque reminder of “mementomoria” (remember death) gives a little more significance to a simple beanie.

The hat also comes with a water base screen to protect your investment against the rain, snow, and whatever else you wear it in. A hat that can keep your head warm, yet make you look cool? Who would have thought it!

Find the Affliction Winged Reaper beanie at SolisStyle.com for $40.00.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 16th, 2007 at 9:00 am and is filed under Affliction Clothing.