Top Spots To Buy A Hat In Philadelphia
Whether pulled down low and over your ears for warmth, set firmly upon your head for protection from the sun or tipped jauntily to the side to make a fashion statement, hats are a must-have accessory for many in the City of Brotherly Love. Sure, the British royals may have played a part in boosting the hat's popularity, but make no mistake, hats had already made a name for themselves in Philly. From a perch atop City Hall to the heads of the fashion conscious in the streets below, hats are "in," and we're here to share some of the top places to shop for your next hat.
American Hat Factory LLC
2251 Fraley St.
Philadelphia, PA 19137
(267) 345-1141
www.sshatco.com
Since the 1920s, American Hat Factory has been one of the best places to find just the right woman's hat, fascinator or accessory. With styles for every season and occasion, this shop prides itself on knowing just what you need. And whether you need a hat for your cousin's wedding or to complement that new suit, American Hat Factory will undoubtedly have it. And, as if an abundance of styles, shapes and colors wasn't enough, this shop takes accessorizing to the max with an assortment of specially designed hat and lapel pins.
Goorin Bros. Hat Shop
1427 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 665-1895
www.goorin.com/hat-shops/philadelphia
Goorin Bros is as much a part of Philadelphia as many of the historic sites that surround the shop in its Rittenhouse Square location. From long-time hat aficionados to newcomers to the hat scene, the Goorin family name has been synonymous with style, providing shoppers with just the right hat since 1895. Shoppers begin fitting themselves by first answering a few important questions -- details that include one's head size, preferred hat shape and the shopper's lifestyle.
Hats in the Belfry
633 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 922-0303
www.hatsinthebelfry.com
Hats in the Belfry has sold premium headwear to Philly-area shoppers (and hat lovers in Baltimore, Fells Point and Annapolis) for more than 30 years. With the launch of its website in 1997, the shop has become a full-fledged industry leader, taking inspiration from some of today's top trends. But, while many of the designs are modern, plenty are whimsical throwbacks to a simpler time. With dozens of styles to choose from for both men and women, Hats in the Belfry has something for everyone.
Sterling Leather
Route 263 & Route 202
Peddler's Village, Unit 68
Lahaska, PA 18931
(866) 315-0220
www.sterlingleather.com
While cowboys and Philadelphia may not seem a likely match, those in the know would disagree -- those who know about history and hats, that is. While they may be associated with wide open spaces and herds of cattle, the cowboy hat -- the Stetson, to be precise -- is a Philly native, crafted by Stetson himself from his shop in the City of Brotherly Love. Sterling Leather, located in Lahaska, a town just on the outskirts of the Philadelphia area, is the perfect example of east meets west with cowboy hats in every shape, size and material shelved alongside a number of other styles. And once you've found just the right hat, Sterling Leather also has a number of complementary accessories including pins, scarves, purses, bags and belts.
That's Hats Accessories Boutique
103 Wilmington-West Chester Pike
Chadds Ford, PA 19317
(610) 358-5995
www.thatshats.com
At That's Hats Accessories Boutique, both men and women can find a hat that's sure to reflect his or her style. For men, hats range from the fedora or Panama to the porkpie or newsboy. Women know they can find just the hat for that special occasion, whether it be a trip down the shore, a special event or wedding or even the Kentucky Derby or the local Main Line horse show. Know a lover of hats but not sure about his or her taste? That's Hats offers gift certificates, one-of-a-kind hat boxes and an assortment of fashionable accessories, including scarves and hat pins.
Christy Ayala covers sports, recreation, the outdoors, and leisure activities in the Philadelphia area. She earned a masters degree in recreation administration from George Williams College and managed programs in the Midwest, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.