How to Shop for Hats in New York City

New York City is one of the most stylish cities on the planet. When it comes to shopping, anything and everything is for sale here. That includes clothes, makeup, designer bags, shoes and hats. Here are some of the best places to get quality hats in New York City.

Instructions

1. Shop at The Hat Shop at 120 Thompson Street. This downtown hat haven has been referred to as "one of the ten best hat shops in America" by USA Today, and once you set foot inside this extensive store, you'll see why. With elegant hats ranging from racing style to evening wear, you can find every type of hat under the sun here. A lot of the hats sold here have a retro, 1920s flair, so if you have an appreciation for that style, this is the place to be.

2. Check out The Village Scandal at 19 East Seventh Street. This cozy East Village hat shop is adorable and crammed full of colorful and youthful hats. A lot of the hats available here have a vintage flair, but the store itself is decidedly modern. Not only can you shop for hats here, there is also a selection of other types of accessories, including umbrellas and gloves.

3. Shop at Arnold Hatters at 535 Eighth Avenue. Arnold Hatters, Inc. is a Midtown hat shop that has a diverse selection of hats for both men and women, ranging from the practical to the fantastic. Arnold Hatters also has a great selection of seasonal hats, including large, floppy hats for the summertime and warm, wool caps for the winter. Not only is the hat selection extensive, but the quality of the hats is solid.

4. Stop by Barbara Feinman at 66 East Seventh Street. Located in the East Village, Barbara Feinman Millinery is a charmingly cluttered hat shop that not only sells some fabulous hats, they also do custom-made hats as well. The style of the hats sold at Barbara Feinman is fun, flirtatious, retro and "film noir." Not only is Barbara Feinman the perfect place to get a great twenties-style cap, there is also a good variety of accessories and clothing sold here.

5. Try JJ Hat Center at 310 Fifth Avenue. Considered by many to be the very best hat shop in the world, JJ Hat Center certainly lives up to the expectations. The enormous selection of berets, fedoras, fur hats, leather caps and every other variety of hat one could possibly dream of, is absolutely astounding. Not only is the selection outstanding, so is the quality of the hats. With excellent service, great hats and a massive selection, you cannot go wrong at JJ Hat Center.

Tips & Warnings

• A lot of New York City department stores have good hat selections, such as Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Lord & Taylor and Century 21. Be sure to check out the hats available at those stores, as well.