Boston's Best Places To Buy A Hat
Galvin-ized Headwear
450 Harrison Ave.
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 834-2910
www.galvinized-hats.com
There is absolutely no way to talk about hats in Boston without mentioning Marie Galvin and her amazing millinery Galvin-ized. The shop is a favorite world-over of both hat and art lovers. If you've ever been awed by the types of fanciful hats seen on the Royal family or worn at the Kentucky Derby, this is absolutely the best shop for you. Marie Galvin's creations are unique, beautifully made and sure to be a conversation piece.
Salmagundi
765 Centre St.
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(617) 522-5047
www.salmagundiboston.com
Salmagundi is Boston's go-to store when it comes to hats. The shop really offers a little bit of everything from the tried-and-true styles that have stood the test of fashion time to the hippest looks out there this season. The incredibly friendly staff is well versed in hats and, if you're new to this kind of accessory, are a great resource for finding the right fit and style for your face.
Goorin Bros.
130 Newbury St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 247-4287
www.goorin.com
Historically, everyone wore hats. Today, that's not the case. So it's not surprising that for most shops, hats are tucked away in one little corner of the accessory section and not given much thought. Goorin Bros. is the exact opposite. Its entire business is hats. And, as you can imagine, since hats are the center stage in this little Newbury Street shop, it has a discriminating collection of them. Add in a staff that treats customer service the old fashioned way and you have a cannot-be-beat retail experience that will have you quickly filling your closets with hat boxes.
Fat Tony's
273 Newbury St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 236-4990
www.fat-tonys.com
Of course, not everyone is looking to bring hats back as an everyday fashion accessory. And, let's be real, we're talking Boston. Boston lives for its sports. The vast majority of hat buyers in Boston are looking more to show their support for their team than to show off their own fashion sense. Fat Tony's has probably the biggest selection of licensed sports team hats in the entire city of Boston. And when you're talking Boston, that's saying a lot.
Helen's Leather Shop
110 Charles St.
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 742-2077
www.helensleather.com
This little Charles Street shop holds a big secret. Walking by it can be easy, but Helen's is actually the largest seller of cowboy boots in the Northeast. You may have noticed that the shop is not called Helen's Boot Shop. That's because, along with an amazing array of leather shoes and cowboy boots, the store also has a splendid collection of hats. They are leather, so vegans beware, but if you want a true-to-your-boots western style hat, Helen's Leather Shop is the place to get one.
Renee Mallett is the author of several books about art, culture, and New England. She was the owner and director of an art gallery and has written about arts and entertainment on a national level for several print and online journals. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.