Made to Last: Why Our Beanies Aren’t Fast Fashion

When a brand talks about “made to last,” it often means something that survives one season or maybe two. At Fourbital Factory, we mean much more. We design, knit and finish our custom beanies in Vermont with a goal far beyond trend cycles. We’re here for warmth, quality, community and the long haul.

The Fast Fashion Problem

Across the apparel world, fast fashion rules. The global fast-fashion market was estimated at USD 148 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 317 billion by 2032. But here’s the catch: fast fashion is built on rapid turnover, low cost, and minimal useful life. Clothes are often worn fewer than ten times before being discarded.

Textile production is responsible for roughly 10% of global carbon emissions—more than aviation and shipping combined. The result: mountains of waste, fleeting garments and lost craftsmanship.

A Different Approach

We believe a beanie should be more than an impulse buy. It should hold up through the winters we know well in Vermont, through mountain mornings and everyday wear. Because we manage every step—from yarn selection to final inspection—here in Burlington, we aren’t optimized for speed. We’re optimized for longevity, integrity and connection to our community.

Built In Vermont, Built to Last

In Vermont, winters are not mild; a beanie must earn its place. At our facility, we design for real conditions: early-morning frost, icy winds and long-wear usage. That commitment sets a high bar for materials and construction.

We source premium yarns—often recycled or responsibly selected—and finish every beanie with attention to detail that fast fashion labels simply don’t allow time for. Each stitch matters. Each tag, each fit, each knit pattern carries the story of place.

Transparency, Craft & Community

We don’t hide behind supply chains half a world away - every beanie is handmade in Burlington, Vermont. Our team works on site, they see results in real-time and iterate quickly when something doesn’t feel right. Local manufacturing gives us that control, and gives you a product with value that is real, not just marketed.

When you choose Fourbital Factory, you support local jobs, transparent processes and thoughtful design. We aren’t tracking trend cycles; we’re creating gear that holds up, wears well and lives longer than the throw-away merchandise of fast fashion.

Style That Doesn’t Expire

Trends shift fast. What looks fresh now can feel dated in months. That’s why our design philosophy isn’t about fleeting looks; it’s about timeless utility and authentic style.
Whether you choose a cuffed beanie, a slouch fit or a full jacquard design, the intent is the same - make something worth wearing, again and again. While fast fashion might push you to replace next season, we build so you don’t have to.

Make It Count

When you pull on a Fourbital beanie, you’re choosing something more than headwear. You’re choosing craft, responsibility and story. You’re choosing a product made with intention—not haste. That matters not just for your wardrobe, but for the planet, the people who made it and the place it came from.

Because real manufacturing doesn’t rush. It respects process, materials and people. That’s why our beanies aren’t fast fashion—they’re made to last.