To quote Irish haute couture milliner Philip Anthony Treacy OBE (often described as the greatest living milliner): “How a hat makes you feel is what a hat’s all about.” To whit, while hats can shield you from the sun, complete your outfit, or keep your head warm (or cool), they most of all bespeak your stylish soul. Here’s to donning more hats, preferably at rakish angles.
“Hatpreneur” (and model) Kai Lassen has lived around the world. She brings her savoir faire to her custom hats (also sold as ready to wear online and at trunk shows). The Kelly, made with rabbit fur felt in sky blue, has a wide brimmed fedora stitched with wildflower embroidery. $545 kailassen.com
Based in the hip mountain town of Boulder, Colorado where the sun shines almost every day, woman-owned Wallaroo Hat Company remains at the forefront of design innovation, intent on providing stylish ways to protect the face from harmful rays. The St. Lucia, made with UPF 50+ fabric and enhanced by a 4-inch brim, is packable and versatile. It comes in a navy combo or mixed beige. $59 http://wallaroohats,com
Celebrity milliner Christine A. Moore presents her stunningly theatrical chapeaux in the Bay Area at the Berkeley Hat Company (berkeleyhat.com/), but she works from her studio (Christine A. Moore Millinery) in Midtown Manhattan’s fashion district. She has created hats for the likes of LeAnn Rimes and Mary J. Bilge. Inspired by Christine’s background in costume design, the Antonella, a captivating cross between a hat and a fascinator, is hand-dyed and hand-blocked with large, flowing horsehair bows. $835 www.camhats.com/
Drenched in history, Mule Alley, a restored destination ensconced within the Fort Worth Stockyards, brims with curiosities and collectables—many with western flair. At Flea Style, one of its defining unique boutiques, shoppers can indulge in an experiential hat bar, complete with an in-house hat maker. One-of-a-kind hat creations rule the day—as in the Maia Hat with its wide brim, feathers, and vintage baubles. $168 fleastyle.com
Last year, Singita, one of the world’s most renowned conservation and eco-tourism brands and the creators of some of Africa’s best safari lodges, launched the Singita Boutique & Gallery. Conveying various objets d’art and practical gifts for travelers, most created in collaboration with local craftspeople, the store sells a variety of hats. Array yourself with the Singita Panama Hat, hand-woven from papa toquilla, a palm leaf fiber in Ecuador. $93 singitastores.com
From Best Made, a timeless American brand now part of the Duluth Trading Co., the Stetson Burnet Hat reflects classic western style with its soft rabbit fur felt and “cattleman” crown, a unique shape in the history of cowboy chic. Look for the hand-braided horsehair hat band accent! Stetson, which continues to craft hats by way of its storied, historic technique, was founded in 1865 by John B. Stetson. $149 duluthtrading.com