As a person who is truly obsessed with wearing hats as a means to express myself, I will admit I’m an extra picky person when it comes to picking a hat. I’m not alone in this as I actually got a few messages asking me where to shop for hats at brick and mortar stores in New York City, so they can go in and try those hats on before they splurge themselves.
So here, I present 7 beautiful hat shops where you will find everything from the perfect everyday fedora hat to Kentucky Derby worthy toppers. These are hat boutiques that you can just walk-in without making an appointment.
I hope this list will help you think about the hat styles that are still missing from your closet (as it’s the perfect time to add them to your closet). And, now you know where to buy them in the city.
Suzanne Couture Millinery
This is one of a few hat shops in NYC that also has an atelier at the same place. You can walk around the store and peek to see Suzanne Newman, a head milliner and owner of the Suzanne Couture working with her headpieces alongside with her training milliners and assistants. This luxury boutique has everything: a wide range of fur felt hats, dreamy fascinators, and over-the-top toppers for special occasions from weddings to Kentucky Derby.
Besides my first impression about all the beautiful headpieces displayed in the shop, it’s the people in the shop that makes hat shopping a wonderful experience. Suzanne and her assistant are very friendly, nice and informative. Suzanne walked out from her atelier to say hello and show me her pieces herself. If hat store review is a thing, I’m undoubtedly giving them five stars.
Location: 136 E 61st St, New York, NY 10065
Phone: 212-593-3232
Website: https://www.suzannehats.com/
East Village Hats
Julia Emily Knox, the head milliner and current owner of East Village Hats joined Barbara Feinman Millinery in 2012 and took over the business when it moved to its current location in 2016. Not only is this a hat store selling various styles of headpieces, but it also offers workshops that aim to share hat making skills to the community. 90% of East Village Hats are handcrafted on the site, while the rest is a curated selection of handpicked local emerging designers such as Sally Caswell Millinery, Maor Zabar, Marine & Deerfield, Two Foxes, Tierre Taylor, Firsthand by Denise Arellano and Laura Catignani Millinery. Having an old hat that needs to be restored? East Village Hats offers restoration, reblocking and retrimming. For simple stretching and reshaping can be done while you wait.
Location: 80 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-358-7092
Website: https://eastvillagehats.nyc/
City Hats
City Hats have a diverse selection of hats from fedora to bucket hats to caps and beanies. They also carry one of my favorite hat brands: Kangol. While I was there, I tried on a couple of colorful fedora hats and the hats on display, they seemed to be larger sizes. So, I will recommend this store for my hat folks who are looking for hats in big head sizes.
Location: 55 E Houston st, New York, NY 10012
Phone: 212-260-1948
Worth & Worth by Orlando Palacio
How am I just now discovering the beauty of this modern-take on hat boutique, Worth & Worth? My first thought when I was walking into this store was that it was an art gallery or a hat museum. Orlando Palacio is the master and artist craftsman behind this successful store Worth & Worth. His panama hats are made to be sustainable and the ingredients are ethically sourced in Manabí, Ecuador. His fur felt hats are created by combining centuries-old techniques with modern innovation culminating with amazing creations that are the best of both worlds.
I personally love “The Galland” – a pentagon crowned hat in ombre indigo. I’ve certainly never seen anything like this before and I’m in awe of the beauty and uniqueness of this hat style. So clever, so cool.
Location: 263 Bowery, New York, NY 10002
Phone: 212-265-2887
Website: https://hatshop.com/
The Hat Shop
The Hat Shop by Linda Pagan has been on my radar with its collection of hats and headpieces which exude a dramatic and brilliant juxtaposition presenting the work of up to 15 local milliners from Cha Cha’s House, Heather Huey to Römer Millinery and House of Nines.
I missed seeing Linda for my store visit, but Jessy, Linda’s store manager is very attentive and will give any assistance and information (the first) hat buyers will need. The hats in store can be ordered in any color and trim that will be made in your head size. I wish I could get every hat in this store. Holiday wishlist…check.
Location: 148 Sullivan St, New York, NY
Phone: 212-219-1445
Website: https://www.thehatshopnyc.com/
Goorin Bros
It all started with a passion for making hats back in 1895, now Goorin Bros is a well-established hat brand that offers from timeless fedora hats to sporty chic wears like flat caps, truckers, bucket hats and beanies.
I remember when I visited this store before Covid, all hats on the display were classic felt fedoras. Revisiting the store this time tells me the brand goes global and involves more sporty and streetwear spirits. Honestly, I’m so loving their new direction and look at these truckers….what’s not to love?
Location: 337 Bleeker St, New York, NY 10014
Phone: 929-467-4037
Website: https://www.goorin.com/
The Hat House
This hat store has a small space that is divided into two parts: one side is a hat display and the other side is a nice selection of kimonos. On the hat shelves, they display all classic hats from panama hats to felt hats (and these hats are available to buy on the spot). If you are looking to make a custom hat of your own, you need to call to make an appointment with the hat maker, Ken Lee.
Location: 131 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012
Phone: 374-640-4048
Website: http://www.thehathouse.net/
Have you ever visited any of these hat boutiques in New York City? Share with me your experience in the comments. If you have any hat stores that I didn’t mention in this post and need to shoutout, drop their names below…so I can visit them, too.
