Few details are as instantly recognisable as the pom-pom. Perched on top of a winter hat, it adds softness, movement, and a little theatre to cold-weather dressing. But where did it come from, and how did a simple tuft of yarn become a lasting symbol of winter style?

The answer is a patchwork of practical clothing, military tradition, handcraft, and popular culture. There is no single universally accepted origin story, but the pom-pom has appeared in enough different settings to make one thing clear: this small detail has always carried more meaning than its size suggests.

WHAT IS A POM-POM?

A pom-pom is a ball or tuft made by winding, tying, and cutting fibres such as wool or yarn. The result can be neat and compact, oversized and playful, or somewhere in between.

In the UK, the term “bobble” is often used interchangeably with “pom-pom”, particularly when talking about knitted hats. The words may differ, but the idea is the same: a tactile finishing detail that gives a simple hat its character.

VIKING ROOTS AND EARLY REFERENCES

One frequently cited early visual reference is an eleventh-century Scandinavian figure associated with the Norse god Freyr, found in Sweden and shown with a rounded detail on its headwear. It is an intriguing image, although it should be treated as an early visual clue rather than definitive proof that modern pom-pom hats began there.

That distinction matters. Decorative tufts and rounded details have appeared in many cultures and clothing traditions, so the modern pom-pom is better understood as part of a long, shared history of fibre craft than as an invention with one certain birthplace.

SAILORS, SOLDIERS, AND THE PRACTICAL BOBBLE

Popular histories often connect pom-poms with sailors’ wool hats. Accounts of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century French naval dress suggest that the soft tuft may have helped cushion the head against low ceilings and tight spaces below deck. The story is widely repeated, although the details vary between sources.

Military headwear gave the pom-pom another role. Coloured tufts on caps, Highland bonnets, and Scottish toories were used in some traditions to distinguish units, companies, ranks, or regimental identity. In this setting, the pom-pom was not just decoration. Colour and placement could become part of a uniform’s visual language.

Similar ideas appeared in clerical dress. Historical accounts of the biretta describe coloured pom-poms being associated with different levels of Catholic clergy or religious orders. Across these examples, the same simple form could signal belonging, rank, or place.

THE HANDMADE ADVANTAGE

Pom-poms also made practical sense at home. A hand-knitted hat naturally gathers at the crown, and a pom-pom can cover that join while giving the finished piece a deliberate shape.

Because it can be made from leftover yarn, a pom-pom is an economical way to add texture and colour without expensive trimming. In difficult economic periods, including the Great Depression, small handmade details offered a way to refresh clothing using materials already to hand.

That combination of usefulness and charm helped the pom-pom move from uniforms and workwear into family wardrobes. It was easy to make, easy to personalise, and instantly recognisable.

FROM PRACTICAL CLOTHING TO WINTER ICON

As hand knitting and winter sportswear became part of everyday life, the pom-pom moved between outdoor clothing, school-day uniforms, family wardrobes, match-day layers, and fashion collections.

By the mid-twentieth century, bobble hats had become a familiar part of winter style. Later revivals in popular culture gave the shape fresh energy, while musicians, sports supporters, and outdoor communities kept it visible and relevant.

Today, the silhouette can be found in almost every winter palette. Traditional cream, charcoal, and navy sit alongside bright colour combinations, unexpected textures, and statement proportions.

Explore the SABBOT Bobble Hats Collection for modern interpretations of this enduring winter shape.

THE POM-POM TAKES ON A NEW LIFE

The knitted pom-pom is not the only form to enter popular culture. Cheerleading pom-poms developed separately in the twentieth century, first using paper streamers before handles and more durable plastic and vinyl materials transformed the format.

Although a cheerleading pom and a woollen hat bobble serve very different purposes, they share the same visual language: movement, volume, colour, and celebration. Both show how a simple tuft can become a recognisable symbol in its own right.

THE POM-POM AS A FORM OF EXPRESSION

There is a reason the pom-pom works so well in heritage and patriotic styling. It has a familiar, almost nostalgic quality, but colour and proportion can make it feel thoroughly modern.

Red, white, and blue tones bring a sense of tradition and occasion, while brighter colourways make the same classic shape feel energetic. Our Patriotic Collection explores that connection between winter headwear, identity, and pride.

HOW TO WEAR THE POM-POM TODAY

Keep the rest of your outfit simple if you want the hat to lead. A bobble hat works naturally with a wool coat, a quilted jacket, denim, or chunky knitwear.

For a more understated look, choose a neutral hat with a tonal pom-pom. For more impact, use colour contrast or let the bobble echo another detail in your outfit, such as a scarf, gloves, or trainers.

The Linda Bobble Hat is a good example of how a generous pom-pom can give an everyday winter outfit a confident finishing point.

A SMALL DETAIL WITH A LONG LIFE

The pom-pom has survived because it does more than decorate. It carries memory, craft, warmth, identity, and attitude. It can remind us of snowy walks, old team colours, childhood winter hats, or simply the pleasure of wearing something with a little more character.

That is the enduring appeal of the pom-pom: practical enough for winter, expressive enough to feel personal, and timeless enough to keep returning season after season.

Discover the SABBOT Bobble Hats Collection

FURTHER READING

For readers who want to explore the subject further, see Dakonda’s history of the pom-pom, the Colorations overview of early references, the SuperBobble history of bobble hats, and Omni Cheer’s history of cheerleading pom-poms.