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A Winter Icon: The History of the KULE Moritz Balaclava

kule moritz balaclava influencer styled

The balaclava is really the only hat to wear during the intense winter chill; it helps shield your face against freezing wind. KULE was one of the first to reintroduce the balaclava to the fashion masses when Nikki designed her first KULE Moritz balaclava for the Fall 2017 collection, inspired by the famous photograph of Jackie O. by Harry Benson (1968). 

KULE Fall 2017 Moritz Balaclava
The original KULE Moritz Balaclava from the Fall 2017 Collection

We have that iconic original classic cream version, of course, but since then we’ve added lots of colors and patterns, including our latest ones for January, so you can match your mood or winterwear.

The Moritz - Cream

The Moritz – Cream

The Moritz - Rainbow

The Moritz – Rainbow

The Moritz - Royal

The Moritz – Royal

The Moritz - Camel/Navy

The Moritz – Camel/Navy

The Cashmere Moritz

The Cashmere Moritz

The Check Moritz - Pumice/Loden

The Check Moritz – Pumice/Loden

The Moritz - Navy

The Moritz – Navy

The Check Moritz - Heather Grey/Wine

The Check Moritz – Heather Grey/Wine

In 2022, you can deck yourself out in check…

KULE via Bust Magazine with check
The Check Moritz, The Greene Sweater, and The Check Dress Sock via Bust Magazine

…or a go for a cheery rainbow to combat the winter slump.

KULE Rainbow Moritz balaclava
The Rainbow Moritz and The Boyfriend Heart

The KULE Moritz is designed to be worn fully over your face, or cupped under your chin. Available for adults, and now also for kids and dogs, because the little ones need that protection, too!

Top row from left to right: @buuski, @clarysarah, @sassyandspanky, @nobullyshit, Bottom row from left to right: @chelsea.the.chi, @katiesturino, @lorelaporte, @ghost.and.wren
The Dog Moritz

The Dog Moritz

The Mini Mortiz - Cream

The Mini Mortiz – Cream

The Mini Moritz - Navy

The Mini Moritz – Navy

The amount of KULE balaclava fans, as you can see all over Instagram, is incredible. The people love this hat! And there is so much inspiration on how to style: with statement sunglasses à la Linn Ecklund, with après ski gear like Blanca Miró Scrimieri and Natasha Goldenberg, on the slopes like Kelly Rutherford, with a voluminous collar like Leandra Medine Cohen, or with a statement eye like Marianne Theodorsen. The possibilities are endless and up to your own winter styling creativity.

Top row from left to right: @linneklund, @leandramcohen, @blancamiro, @kellyrutherford, @cosmopolitanjuly, Bottom row from left to right: @jkuerschner, @ngoldenberg, @linneklund, @marianne_theodorsen, @jennalyonsnyc

Nikki’s go-to for styling the Moritz is with classic wool overcoat, with a scarf wrapped around to really seal any openings up, for a clean and modern look. 

The Moritz - Cream

The Moritz – Cream

Raey Exaggerated-Shoulder Wool-Blend Coat

Raey Exaggerated-Shoulder Wool-Blend Coat

The Seever- Navy/Multi

The Seever- Navy/Multi

The Row Boris Suede Ankle Boots

The Row Boris Suede Ankle Boots

Explore the different styles and shop The Moritz balaclava.

A Pattern-Mixing Recipe for Fall

Cool woman in a KULE camouflage knit set for fall sitting on a chair

As a brand whose hero is The Stripe, we love to play with print and pattern. We love to mix. A stripe with leopard, with check, or, with our newest pattern: camouflage. There is a bit of a formula to pattern mixing, but it’s not complicated. Like a beginner chef, you can still create a delicious multi-course meal with a bit of guidance.

Below, we’ve created a KULE cheat sheet to pattern mixing for fun-filled dressing this season.

Picking a Standout

When pattern mixing, you simply have to let one pattern be the standout and the other the “neutral.” At KULE, we treat stripes as a neutral and therefore they are the most perfect base layer to an outfit even if you’re including additional pattern. This outfit: A striped tee + camo cardigan + well tailored trousers is great for a casual office Friday.

The Modern Long

The Modern Long

The Jane

The Jane

Totême Trousers

Totême Trousers

G.H. Bass Weejun Loafers

G.H. Bass Weejun Loafers

Getting the Balance

This outfit is about — you guessed it — getting the balance right in combining patterns. You can wear a striped sweater with checkered pants and not look too bold if both pieces in neutral, coordinating colors or hues.

The Allegra

The Allegra

Nina Ricci Check Trouser

Nina Ricci Check Trouser

Hereu T-Strap Loafers

Hereu T-Strap Loafers

Committing to a Theme

If you want to really lean in, think of your pattern as a suit: bottoms + a jacket (in this case, a statement sweater). You can easily mix in different patterns with a striped tee peeking out or with accessories like a patterned scarf around your neck or in your hair.

The Gomer

The Gomer

The Shelby

The Shelby

The Silk Mischa Scarf

The Silk Mischa Scarf

The Row Ankle Boot

The Row Ankle Boot

Same, but Different

You can also do two types of the same type of pattern. For example, a checker cardigan with plaid pants (the same as in look 2!) involves two types of square-shaped pattern but when you focus on coordinating the colors and having the patterns vary in size (one large, one small), you create a pretty good masterpiece.

The Knite

The Knite

Nina Ricci Check Trouser

Nina Ricci Check Trouser

Adidas Originals Sneakers

Adidas Originals Sneakers

Photographed by Mei Tao
Modeled by Yoly Dee
Styled by Shelley Young
Set Design by Tracy Morgan assisted by Thomas Tomzack
Hair and makeup by Summer Tran assisted by Iris Kim