Fringe on top and a large orb on each ear flap. This knit hat is recognizable as Vivienne Westwood at a glance, and it is one of the pieces many people look for on the secondhand market.
The hat featured here is an earflap knit hat in gray and white stripes, with the orb, the symbol of the brand, knitted into the pattern. The listing states that it was made in Japan.
Below we look at the details of the hat, the history of the brand, other colors and similar models, and its connection to the manga NANA.
Overview of the Hat
This is a deep knit hat that covers the whole head, with triangular ear flaps on both sides. The upper part is gray rib knit, and below it run wide gray and white stripes. A large orb is knitted into each ear flap. On top sits a fringe of gathered gray and white yarn, and long tassels of the same yarn hang near the ear flaps. The colors are calm, but the shape is full of playfulness. It is a very Vivienne Westwood piece.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Vivienne Westwood Earflap Knit Hat (Orb Pattern) |
| Brand | Vivienne Westwood |
| Style | Earflap knit hat (with fringe and tassels) |
| Color | Gray and white stripes |
| Logo | Orb knitted into both ear flaps |
| Size | One size |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Country of Manufacture | Japan (as stated on the listing) |
| Condition | Pre-owned (Good) |
About Vivienne Westwood
Image source: Vivienne Westwood official website
Vivienne Westwood is the brand founded by the designer of the same name, who was born in England in 1941. She is known as the person who brought punk fashion to the world, and she passed away in 2022 at the age of 81. Today her husband, the designer Andreas Kronthaler, leads the collections.
It all began in 1971, when she and her partner Malcolm McLaren opened a small shop called “Let it Rock” at 430 King’s Road in London. The shop changed its name to “Too Fast to Live, Too Young to Die” and then “Sex,” and in 1980 it became “Worlds End,” the name it still carries. The shop is still open at the same address today.
The brand remains very popular in Japan. According to an article in FASHIONSNAP, its sales in Japan for the first half of fiscal 2024 were 129% of the same period a year earlier. Many customers start with jewelry or bags and then move on to scarves and hats.
A First Show Themed on Pirates
Image source: Vivienne Westwood official website
Her first runway show was in 1981, with the “Pirate” collection she created together with McLaren. The bold, pirate-inspired look was carried into the interior of the shop as well.
In 1984 she was invited to Hanae Mori’s fashion event “Best of Five” and showed a collection in Tokyo. Her ties with Japan go back to those days.
What the Orb Logo Means
Image source: Pinterest
The mark knitted into the ear flaps, a sphere with a ring around it, is the orb, the symbol of the brand. According to the official website, the orb was first used in 1986. It was created to express the idea of carrying tradition into the future.
The sphere is said to be modeled on the royal orb of the British Crown, and the ring on the rings of Saturn. Taking up the old while moving into a new era: the mark expresses the attitude of the brand itself.
The Design of the Earflap Knit Hat
The charm of this hat lies in the mix of a playful shape and calm colors. The body, which switches from gray rib knit to wide stripes, catches the eye on its own. From here we look at the details one by one.
The Fringe on Top
Image source: Pinterest
On top of the hat sits a fringe made of gathered gray and white yarn. Long bundles of the same yarn hang near the ear flaps as well, and they swing as you move. The photo shows the black and beige version, but it makes clear how the fringe on top and the tassels on the ear flaps are attached. This is a kind of fun that a simple beanie does not have.
The Orb Knitted into the Ear Flaps
Each ear flap carries a large orb. It is not embroidery or a patch. The pattern is knitted in by switching the color of the yarn. In the photo you can see both a gray orb on a white ground and the reverse, a white orb on a gray ground.
The logo sits exactly where the eye goes when you turn your head. Quiet from the front, bold in profile. That is what makes this hat interesting.
The Manga NANA and Vivienne Westwood
Image source: Pinterest
No story about Vivienne Westwood is complete without Ai Yazawa’s manga NANA. Many of the brand’s items appear in the series, starting with the armor ring worn by the heroine Nana Osaki. The orb lighter that the bassist Shin (Shinichi Okazaki) wears around his neck is also well known among fans.
Among fans outside Japan, the striped earflap knit hat is also often linked with NANA. On Pinterest, people often search for it with words like “Vivienne Westwood beanie NANA,” and there is even a board devoted to this hat alone. Some fans go as far as hand-knitting their own version, inspired by Shin’s hat.
In 2025, Vivienne Westwood posted a teaser for a collaboration with NANA on its official social media, and it was widely covered by WWDJAPAN. Twenty-five years after the series began, the bond between the manga and the brand continues.
Colors Available
This style of knit hat was made in several colors by changing the colors of the stripes. This one combines gray and white. The white brightens the face, and the overall look is soft. Here are the main colors of the same style.
Black and Beige
This is the color you see most often. The black gives the hat a sharper outline and a crisper look. It is a popular choice for people looking for the NANA image, and HD Fashion & Sports has one listed as well.
Blue and Gray
Image source: Mercari
Deep blue combined with gray stripes. It is less strong than black and goes well with denim or a navy coat. The ear flaps carry a blue orb on a gray ground.
Black and Gray
Image source: Mercari
The most understated color, done in black and charcoal gray. The stripes do not stand out too much, so it is easy to wear with everyday clothes, and the orb pattern shows quietly.
Navy and Burgundy
Image source: Mercari
Dark navy with deep red stripes. Both are dark colors, but the touch of red keeps the face from looking dull when you wear it. It suits people who want to add an accent color.
Seen side by side, gray and white is the brightest of these colors and works with any season or outfit. The same series also has a different style with a pompom, so you can choose by both color and shape.
Similar Models
Earflap styles and knit hats built around the orb are still being made today. Knowing the differences makes it easier to choose the one that suits you. Prices are as of October 2026.
Palace Collaboration Model
Image source: GOAT
The “Orb Knit Earflap Beanie” was released as a collaboration with Palace, the London skate brand. An orb on the ear flaps and tassels on top: the combination is very close to this hat. The ear flaps carry the word “Palace” next to the orb.
- Release: September 2024 (Fall/Winter 2024)
- Retail price: 255 dollars
- Colors: Black and white, tartan, pink and black
Classic Beanie
Image source: Vivienne Westwood official website
This is the standard knit hat sold on the official website. It is a thick rib knit made with cashmere, with a multicolored orb embroidered at the center of the turned-up cuff. It has a clean shape with no ear flaps.
- Official price: 59,400 yen (tax included)
- Material: Cashmere
- Colors: Gray, brown, black, pink and others
Sporty Beanie
Image source: Vivienne Westwood official website
A wool rib knit model with a lighter feel than the Classic. It also has an orb embroidered at the center of the cuff. It is made in Italy.
- Official price: 42,900 yen (tax included)
- Material: Wool
- Colors: Black and white, green, navy blue, black
The knit hats on the official website are mostly styles without ear flaps. If you are looking for a design with ear flaps and fringe, a pre-owned piece like this one is the shortcut.
Size and How to Wear It
Image source: Pinterest
The hat is one size. The knit stretches, so it fits both men and women. Pull it on deep and let the ear flaps down, and it covers your ears completely.
The key is to let the ear flaps hang straight down. As in the photo above, when the ear flaps fall straight beside the face, the orb looks its best from the side. Leave the tassels untied and let them hang, and you get the true feel of this hat.
Why Choose Pre-Owned
This knit hat is a style you will not find in the current lineup on the official website. To get one, you need to look on the secondhand market. The tag on the other color version reads “Planned and sold by Moonbat Co., Ltd.” and “Made in Japan,” which shows that it was planned and made in Japan. When you shop pre-owned, checking for a tag like this gives extra peace of mind.
Knitwear changes in texture with use, so checking the condition matters. This item is pre-owned (condition: Good). Please check the photos on the listing for any pilling or marks.
Care Tips
The black and beige version has a tag inside that says, “Do not wash, as this may spoil the texture of the material.” The care symbols also show that washing, bleaching, ironing and dry cleaning are all not allowed. This hat is made the same way, and it will last longer if you keep the following points in mind.
- Do not wash it in water. Dab off any dirt lightly with a well-wrung cloth
- After wearing, let moisture out in a well-ventilated place
- Do not pull off pills. Trim them gently with scissors
- Store it with an insect repellent, and do not crush its shape
Styling Ideas
- A mostly black look that shows off the orb in profile
Image source: Pinterest
- A lively street style with a striped scarf and layering
Image source: Pinterest
- Paired with shorts for a light, casual look
Image source: Pinterest
The photos show other colors, but the same ideas work for this hat. Gray and white goes with any color of clothing, so it pairs easily not only with black and denim but also with light-colored outerwear.
Summary
Image source: Pinterest
The Vivienne Westwood earflap knit hat offers
- A large orb knitted into each ear flap
- A playful shape created by the fringe and tassels
- Gray and white stripes that go with any outfit
- A pre-owned find that is not in the current official lineup
It is a hat we recommend both to people who came to love the brand through NANA and to anyone who wants a statement piece for winter. If it caught your eye, please take a look at the listing.
▼HD Fashion & Sports▼
Vivienne Westwood Flap Knit Hat cap orb logo gray white fashion goods unisex
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