Four Point Hat – “Ski Bum” Aesthetic

“Ski Bum” is a term that typically evokes a specific image of someone who makes skiing their number one priority, sometimes even over jobs, housing, or financial stability. The classic ski bum is resourceful, finding ways to live cheaply to maximize time on the mountain. Their aesthetic reflects this lifestyle: thrifted, functional, and often homemade clothing that prioritizes warmth and utility over fashion. This aesthetic is also deeply tied to a DIY attitude with patched-up ski pants, vintage fleece jackets, and mismatched layers thrown together over the years. It is also common to see bright colors and bold patterns, a nod to the vibrant ski culture of the past. Unlike the polished look of luxury resort skiers, ski bums embrace a more carefree and rugged style, one that represents adventure and the love of the sport rather than wealth or status. Ski bums have often been misrepresented as lazy or aimless in modern day media, but in reality, it takes serious dedication and creativity to sustain this lifestyle, especially as skiing becomes increasingly expensive. Today, the ski bum mindset is as much about resourcefulness as it is about rebellion against the commercialization of ski culture.

The ski bum lifestyle emerged in the mid-20th century, but one of the first people to truly embody it was Warren Miller. Warren Miller is considered a pioneer of ski filmmaking, and through his films, he captured the essence of the ski bum lifestyle. Miller lived as a the ski bum before making it famous. In the late 1940s, he lived out of a trailer in Sun Valley, Idaho, spending his days skiing and filming his friends on the slopes. His films showcased skiers who weren’t professionals but were simply passionate about the sport. They worked odd jobs—bartending, ski instructing, waiting tables—just to afford another season in the mountains. His documentaries helped romanticize the ski bum lifestyle and spread its appeal.

At the same time, the rise of ‘ski towns’ contributed to the ski bum phenomenon. These towns needed seasonal workers, and ski bums filled these roles, working at resorts during the winter in exchange for lift tickets and just enough money to get by. Many lived in small apartments, trailers, or even in their cars to stay close to the mountains. In the 1960s and 70s, the ski bum lifestyle aligned with broader countercultural movements. Young people were rejecting traditional career paths, and for some, skiing became a way to live outside societal norms. 

However, as ski resorts became more commercialized and expensive, maintaining this lifestyle became more difficult. Housing costs in ski towns skyrocketed, and corporate-owned resorts pushed out independent skiers. Today, while ski bumming still exists, it takes even more effort and creativity to sustain.

My upcycling project is a way to honor ski bum culture while also embracing its values of creativity, thriftiness, and sustainability. One staple of the ski bum aesthetic is the beanie. Beanies aren’t just about warmth they’re a form of self-expression. If you walk around and ski resort or ski area today, I bet almost every person will have a hat on. Beanies allow people to stay warm while also getting to show a level of self expression. 

One hat that has been gaining popularity in the ski world is the Four-Point Hat. This hat is unique in that it has four points on the top, creating a distinct  shape. It’s typically made out of fleece, which makes it warm, comfortable, and perfect for skiing. At first glance, the Four-Point Hat might seem like a modern design, but it actually has historical roots that date back centuries. The design of the Four-Point Hat can be traced back to the Sami people, an Indigenous group from northern Scandinavia. The Sami traditionally wore a similar hat known as the ‘Sami Four-Point Hat.’ It was most commonly worn by men and featured a square or star-shaped top, similar to today’s ski hats. These hats were not just functional; they carried cultural significance. The colors and patterns often indicated where a person was from, and in some cases, their marital status. Over time, elements of the Sami hat design made their way into outdoor and ski culture, influencing modern fleece hats.

My project focuses on creating these Four-Point Hats from thrifted fleece fabric. The goal is to make a few hats for under $10, proving that ski gear doesn’t have to be expensive to be functional. These hats are selling online for $20 to $30 each which I think is a bit of a steep price. I have been wanting one of these hats for a while and I thought that this project was the perfect opportunity to make it. My goal for the project was to find fleece that reflect the fun and bright patterns associated with the “ski bum” aesthetic. I also want to run trials to figure out the best way to sew the hat and I want to ensure the hat can actually be worn and functional, which also reflects the “ski bum” lifestyle. 

The process starts with sourcing secondhand fleece. I found three designs of fleece at the Arc Thrift Store. I choose each of these patterns because I thought each of them reminded me of some of the patterns I had seen while researching this aesthetic. 

The next step was to sew. I was fortunate to have access to the Theater Departments sewing room through a friend so I did not have to hand sew these hats. When I sew, I typically do not follow a pattern which was also how I approached this project. I started by created a plan, which can be seen in my original post. The following steps are what I landed on. The process for the third hat is the best one and the one I would use in the future.

First two hats processes:

1. I cut the pattern into a long rectangle. One end was 2x the length of my head plus 1-2 inches for seam allowance. The width was started at around 10 inches for my first two hats and then around 8 for my last hat.
2. Then I folded the piece in half twice and sewed together. This allowed the hat to be double lined.
3. The shape is now a circular tube. So, I took one end and hem along the entire end.
4. Then I folded it inside out and pinched the other end into four sections and sewed along each edge.
5. Then I folded it back inside out and folded the end up.

Final hat process:

1. I cut the pattern into a long rectangle. One end was 2x the length of my head plus 1-2 inches for seam allowance. The width was around 8 inches.
2. Then I folded the piece in half twice and sewed together. This allowed the hat to be double lined.
3. Next, I pinched the other end into four sections and sewed along each edge.
4. Then I cut out a strip with the same length and folded it twice and sewed it together
5. Finally I sewed the two pieces together and ensured the hem was on the inside. Then I flipped it up.

With the three hats, I think I achieved all of my artistic goals. Each of the fabrics I found resembled the patterns and colors I found in the “ski bum” aesthetic. I also think I achieved the style of the hat and was able to create the design I wanted. I think this hat design embodies the carefree aspect of this aesthetic while also remaining very functional. I also think that I achieve my functional goal of it actually being able to be used as a hat. I got to wear the hat this weekend and it kept me very warm and was comfortable.

The ski bum aesthetic isn’t just about fashion it’s about a way of life. It’s about prioritizing time on the mountain over material possessions, being creative with what you have, and embracing a minimalist, adventure-driven mindset. The Four-Point Hat is the perfect representation of this. It’s fun, functional just like the ski bum lifestyle.  In today’s world, where outdoor gear is often overpriced and mass-produced, DIY projects like this bring back a sense of individuality and sustainability.

Ski bums have always found ways to make things work, even when the odds are against them. Whether it’s finding cheap lift tickets, patching up old ski gear, or making DIY accessories, it all comes down to passion for the sport. And that’s what this project is all about—creativity, sustainability, and above all, the love of skiing.

[1] Etsy. “Four Winds Hat.” Etsy, 2024, www.etsy.com/listing/1675667630/four-winds-hat. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

[2] Switch Fleece. www.switchfleece.com. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

[3] “What Is a Ski Bum?” Newschoolers, www.newschoolers.com/news/read/What-a-Ski-Buma. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025. 

[4] Pinterest. “Ski Bum Aesthetic.” Pinterest, www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?rs=ac&len=2&q=ski%20bum%20aesthetic&eq=ski%20bum&etslf=6017. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025. 

[5] “Vintage Ski Bum.” Powder Magazine, www.powder.com/news/vintage-ski-bum. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

 [6] “Ski Bum Culture Hits Reality.” Adventure Journal, 12 Dec. 2023, www.adventure-journal.com/2023/12/ski-bum-culture-hits-reality/?srsltid=AfmBOorqgyfzz2Bt_ZS2S-h71nhswKVdzQWAifDtMxSpdER0uSZLkd4n. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.