It is no mystery that beanie hats are a worldwide staple, but with over six thousand different languages and dialects, terms for these accessories vary. This leaves many with questions such as ‘what is a toque?’ and ‘is a toque different than a beanie?’.
While colloquialisms vary from nation to nation, the standard beanie hat, or toque, remains subject to industry standards. In all cases, a toque refers to a hat, with a variety of skews as detailed below.
Toque Definition
Generally, toques are expected to be without a brim, with a tight-fitting cap. Still, in a variety of cultures, including Canada and several European nations, toques simply refer to the standard cold-weather beanie.
Toque Pronunciation
The accepted pronunciation of this word is a throwback to the original French word, tuque. Verbally, this word is expected to be phrased as: /tuːk/.
Toque Synonyms
Beanie, beanie hat, beenie hat, hat, helmet, tiara, turban, biretta, bonnet, busby, cap, coiffure, coronet, crown, hood, miter, bandore, knit cap, knit hat, ski cap, skull cap, skullie, skully, snow cap, snow hat, sock cap, stocking cap, watch cap, woolly hat, wooly hat, wool hat
Winter Toque
Most countries that refer to their beanie hats as toques are subject to extreme cold weather. Northern hemispheric countries such as Canada and Great Britain generally see cold winter temperatures. January rings in at an average of 3.7 degrees Celsius according to the British Government. In Canada, as per the Weather Network, 2019 is a record-setting cold year, with dips close to -50 degrees Celsius.
Given these icy temperatures, the standard beanie hat, referred to domestically as a toque, is standardized as a winter accessory. The winter toque is not only a stylish necessity, but it is cold weather mandatory.
Toque Blanche
According to the National Museum of American History, toques can be used to refer to the chef’s hats in America. Directly translating to ‘white hat’, the toque Blanche is the iconic chef’s hat. A tight fit around the head with a raised top, these hats have become synonymous with top chef gear.
Certain expected standards are ever-present in the toque beanie. These include a brimless form that fits well. Due to the needs that the toque fills, a solid form-fitting build makes this ideal for their purpose. Toques are of high utility, offering the following values:
- Tight fitting wear
- Brimless feature
- Comfortable hat option
Specific features of the winter toque:
- Stretchy and elastic
- Brimless style
- Insulating for heat retention
- Form-fitting for comfort
Characteristics unique to the toque Blanche:
- Iconic chef’s hat
- Brimless style
- Provides airflow
- High top to reduce humidity
With these specifics considered, toques offer a wide variety of patterns, colors, and styles. Using these aesthetic techniques, while working within the constraints of the cuff-free beanie hat, toques provide a wide range of styles and fashions. Suited best to the situations for which they were designed, mainly being cold weather conditions, these thermally sound beanie hats are a perfect solution to winter.
Toques are generally worn with functionality in mind. Whether this utility is directed towards the culinary arts, or to surviving extreme cold temperatures, the features of the toque are governed by the same usefulness that has kept them popular for hundreds of years.
In parts of the Southeaster US, we call them toboggans.