I’m Tired of Pretending Earmuffs Aren’t By Far the Chicest Winter Accessory
And they're way better than beanies, the sweatpants of headwear. Allow me to explain.
Beanies are the sweatpants of headwear.
Why would I say something so controversial yet so brave? Because earmuffs exist, and I’m tired of pretending they aren’t the superior winter accessory that’s just as cozy but chicer.
In the words of former Marie Claire style director and current contributor, Julia Gall: “Beanies have always been a zero-effort standby, and they also can look that way.” They are—forgive me—somewhat of a defeatist hat: You accept that you’re doomed for a bad hair day, and run the risk of being mistaken for Joe Pesci in Home Alone.
In a pair of earmuffs, however, the worst possible outcome is looking like a knockoff Kendall Jenner après skiing in Aspen or the lead of a Hallmark rom-com movie who’s wandered off set. If a nubby knit beanie is a pair of sweats, earmuffs are a cuddly, rich-looking fur coat—a practical winter addition that’s equal parts elegant and cutesy.
Despite being essentially a fuzzy headband, an earmuff can also be incredibly warm, depending on the materials and quality. Cashmere and fur (sometimes faux; typically genuine) are the MVPs on this front.
I received Ugg’s black shearling earmuffs as a Christmas gift four years ago, and have raved about them to anyone in earshot ever since. I influenced a friend to buy a matching pair, and she co-signed my review soon after, calling them her "saving grace" during a NYC cold snap. When I accidentally gave mine to Goodwill last November (a good deed gone wrong), I ordered a replacement pair five minutes after leaving the donation center because I couldn’t risk a winter without my weapon against wind chill.
Cut to now, and I still swear by my Ugg muffs. Most recently, I wore them on a surprisingly sunny January day with J.Crew cashmere and my grail eBay find, a vintage black suede, fur-trimmed Marni coat.
Some contrarians could argue that earmuffs come off as juvenile, too reminiscent of what a six-year-old girl wears when learning to ice skate. To them I say: Your point being? A touch of childlike whimsy isn't always a fashion faux pas. Moreover, styles that satisfy your inner child are on trend: Bag charms and emotional support accessories are just as popular as they were in their 2024 heyday, and fashion stalwarts like Jennifer Lawrence and Hailey Bieber are surviving sub-30-degree NYC in knit baby bonnets.
I’ll even argue that a fun, fuzzy pair of earmuffs is the most mature iteration of fashion's fixation on youth. Like Rihanna's many fuzzy bucket hats or five-figure fur coats, they have the same expensive-looking impact. Also, look to the street style cohort, who run around in Max Mara's teddy muffs and Coach's shearling styles during February Fashion Months.
I've said enough, and offended beanie lovers plenty. I'll let the below earmuffs—in addition to my other favorites sprinkled throughout—speak for themselves.
Shop More of 2026's Best Earmuffs
