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Lifeguard or garden gnome: which type of cap are you?

Anika Schulz
11.12.2025
Translation: machine translated

Attention, cliché! If you want to know what your winter headgear reveals about you, read on.

What does my hat say about me? The idea for this story came to me this morning when I was standing at the train station, shivering slightly, waiting for my train and watching the people around me.

And before you choke on your (non-alcoholic) mulled wine: Please don't take what I write too seriously. The Christmas season is stressful enough for all of us.

The garden gnome

The garden gnome wears a long, rather stiff hat that tapers to a point or folds in teasingly. Of course, the garden gnome type has more to offer than just standing around at a railway station in Hamburg. And he's not stuffy either. Or is he? I'd rather not say, otherwise I'll get in trouble with my neighbours.

In any case, we have warming models from Fjällräven, Carhartt and Jack & Jones in the shop.

Fjällräven Tab Hat (One size)
Hats
CHF30.–

Fjällräven Tab Hat

One size

Carhartt A18 (One size)
Hats
CHF22.90

Carhartt A18

One size

Jack & Jones Long Knit (One size)
Hats
Quantity discount
CHF9.50

Jack & Jones Long Knit

One size

Fjällräven Tab Hat (One size)
CHF30.–

Fjällräven Tab Hat

One size

Carhartt A18 (One size)
CHF22.90

Carhartt A18

One size

Jack & Jones Long Knit (One size)
Quantity discount
CHF9.50

Jack & Jones Long Knit

One size

The lifeguard

The lifeguard wears something that looks like a ... swimming cap. Tight-fitting, this headgear reveals more than it conceals. A lot of hair doesn't fit underneath. But that doesn't matter, because the swimming cap is mainly worn by men over the age of 45 who want to jog away from the midlife crisis. In this respect, the hair problem should be negligible. Cough.

Odlo Polyknit Warm Reflective (One size)
Hats
CHF27.70

Odlo Polyknit Warm Reflective

One size

Craft Core Essence Lumen Has (One size)
Hats
CHF24.70

Craft Core Essence Lumen Has

One size

Ortovox Fleece Light Grid Beanie (50/56)
Hats

Ortovox Fleece Light Grid Beanie

50/56

Odlo Polyknit Warm Reflective (One size)
CHF27.70

Odlo Polyknit Warm Reflective

One size

Craft Core Essence Lumen Has (One size)
CHF24.70

Craft Core Essence Lumen Has

One size

Ortovox Fleece Light Grid Beanie (50/56)

Ortovox Fleece Light Grid Beanie

50/56

Basically, the lifeguard type is sporty and pragmatic. He simply continues to wear his running cap in everyday life. After all, many sports caps are equipped with reflectors, which can save lives in winter, as my colleague Martin knows. Regardless of whether it looks good or not.

  • Background information

    A reflective nation: lessons in visibility from Finland

    by Martin Jungfer

The woman from Hamburg

The Hamburger doesn't mind getting cold ears. The main thing is that the headgear is true to the North German style and still allows some of the hairstyle to show. Fisherman's hats are often knitted from sturdy cotton and have a turn-up. The Hamburg woman could fold it down in a storm, but she doesn't. Because then she would look like a tourist.

By the way: the original fisherman's cap is black. Now in stock, you can also get other colours.

Ortovox Fisherman (One size)
Hats
CHF52.–

Ortovox Fisherman

One size

Beechfield Fisherman (One size)
Hats
CHF16.47

Beechfield Fisherman

One size

Revolution Fisherman (One size)
Hats
CHF58.10

Revolution Fisherman

One size

Ortovox Fisherman (One size)
CHF52.–

Ortovox Fisherman

One size

Beechfield Fisherman (One size)
CHF16.47

Beechfield Fisherman

One size

Revolution Fisherman (One size)
CHF58.10

Revolution Fisherman

One size

The eternal sonny boy

The eternal sonny boy wears a cap instead of a knitted hat. It's exactly what he wears all year round anyway. You can recognise it by the fact that his cap has been faded by the sun and is slightly creased.

New Balance Classic (One size)
Caps
CHF21.–

New Balance Classic

One size

Tommy Hilfiger cap (One size)
Caps
CHF47.70

Tommy Hilfiger cap

One size

Dakine Peak To Peak Trucker
Caps
CHF22.90

Dakine Peak To Peak Trucker

New Balance Classic (One size)
CHF21.–

New Balance Classic

One size

Tommy Hilfiger cap (One size)
CHF47.70

Tommy Hilfiger cap

One size

Dakine Peak To Peak Trucker
CHF22.90

Dakine Peak To Peak Trucker

The eternal sonny boy doesn't care that the sun has long since stopped shining and a cap like this doesn't even begin to keep him warm. He has summer in his heart.

The minimalist

The minimalist doesn't wear a hat at all. She wears a headband. This keeps her ears cosy and warm and her hairstyle intact. For the minimalist, less is more. Full stop.

Ortovox Wonderwool Headband
Headbands
CHF33.–

Ortovox Wonderwool Headband

Barts Women's Tasitas Headband
Headbands
CHF17.70

Barts Women's Tasitas Headband

Ortovox Wonderwool Headband
CHF33.–

Ortovox Wonderwool Headband

Barts Women's Tasitas Headband
CHF17.70

Barts Women's Tasitas Headband

The twisted smurf

The twisted Smurf is characterised by the beanie hanging down as far as possible at the back. It is twisted because the hat of the real Smurfs flops forwards.

As a type, the Beanie Smurf is rather casual and is unlikely to spend too long in the winter cold. This is because most beanies are made of thin fabric rather than thick knitwear. Smurfette, Clumsy and Torti would definitely love these hats.

Beechfield Unisex Adult Hemsedal Cotton Slouch Beanie (One size)
Hats
CHF17.83

Beechfield Unisex Adult Hemsedal Cotton Slouch Beanie

One size

P.A.C. . Badlo Slouch Beanie (One size)
Hats

P.A.C. . Badlo Slouch Beanie

One size

Beechfield Beanie Hemsedal adults (One size)
Hats
CHF18.64

Beechfield Beanie Hemsedal adults

One size

Beechfield Unisex Adult Hemsedal Cotton Slouch Beanie (One size)
CHF17.83

Beechfield Unisex Adult Hemsedal Cotton Slouch Beanie

One size

P.A.C. . Badlo Slouch Beanie (One size)

P.A.C. . Badlo Slouch Beanie

One size

Beechfield Beanie Hemsedal adults (One size)
CHF18.64

Beechfield Beanie Hemsedal adults

One size

Which hat do you wear? Tell me in the comments!

Header image: Pixabay

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As a child, I was socialised with Mario Kart on SNES before ending up in journalism after graduating from high school. As a team leader at Galaxus, I'm responsible for news. I'm also a trekkie and an engineer.


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