Boston's Best Hat Shops

Whether you already have an impressive collection of hats or you want to foray into the world of haberdashery for the first time, the City of Boston has plenty of hat shops where you can find the perfect topper for your head. If you have never considered adding hats to your wardrobe, these five hat shops in Boston will change your life and make you wonder why anyone would venture out in public without a fabulously adorned head. If you are ready to step out of the shadows and into the world of high fashion and couture, a hat can take you there. If you just want to add a whimsical or eclectic flair to your wardrobe, then you can benefit from a visit to one of these shops as well.

Galvin-ized Headwear
450 Harrison Ave.
#67 Garden Level
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 426-4885
www.galvinizedhats.com

Hours: Sun – 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Tue to Sat – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Galvin-ized Headwear doesn't just sell hats, they sell artwork that you wear on your head. These hats are all handcrafted by award winning Irish milliner Marie Galvin, who has supplied hats for celebrities including Cher and Alicia Keys. The wearable creations designed and sold by Marie Galvin are worthy of any event from a royal wedding to the Kentucky Derby. For those who don't need an elaborate fascinator equipped with fishnet and feathers, there are delicate hats and headbands perfect for any special event.

Goorin Bros.
130 Newbury St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 247-4287
www.goorin.com

Hours: Sun – 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Mon to Fri – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sat – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

It's no surprise that a store with a history like Goorin Bros. would have one of the best selections of hats in Boston. They have been in the hat business since 1895. With more than one century of experience, they achieve their goal of bringing back the neighborhood hat shop. On the bright side, you won't find salespeople more dedicated to making shopping for a hat a special and personal experience.

Bobby From Boston
19 Thayer St.
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 423-9299
www.facebook.com/Bobby-From-Boston

Hours: Tue to Sat – 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

It may surprise you that Bobby From Boston is an excellent place to buy a hat. This store stocks only the finest vintage apparel and customers have praised the shop's ever-changing, yet wide selection of gently used vintage hats. You won't find the hats they sell at Bobby From Boston anywhere else without a time machine. That makes this the ideal place to find something that is truly unique. If you prefer the hats of yesteryear over the style of today's post-modern hats, then you should check out this worthy alternative.

Related: Hats Are Back In Boston

Dorothy's Boutique
190 Massachusetts Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 262-9255
mawebcenters.com/dorothysboutique

Hours: Sun – 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Mon to Sat – 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Dorothy's Boutique might not be the place to buy an elaborate fascinator for the Kentucky Derby, but it can't be beat when it comes to finding fun accessories like patterned fedoras and sequined berets. This costume and accessory shop has prices far lower than what you will pay for a hat anywhere else in the city. They carry adorable mini top hats and silly hats shaped like pizzas and hot dogs, too. If you need an umbrella hat or a hat with sewn-in dreadlocks, this is the place to go.

Kenmore Army & Navy Stores of Boston
477 Washington St.
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 292-2769

Hours: Sun – 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Mon to Sat  9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Kenmore Army & Navy Stores of Boston might not the first place you think of when you are looking for hats. Don't be fooled by the name; the store sells a whole lot more than military surplus. They certainly do not carry the elegant millinery creations of Galvin-ized Headwear or Toppers, however, they do have their own special role when it comes to hats in Boston. If you are looking for an unconventional hat, a military hat or something for a costume party, you may want to check out Kenmore Army & Navy's eclectic selection.

Related: Boston's Best Tie Selection

Tracey Parece is a bibliophile, audiophile, writer and photographer from Boston, Massachusetts. She loves slow-moving turtles, real sugar and the works of William Shakespeare. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.