That afternoon it was pouring rain; splashing along East 7th Street in the Village I decided the antidote to my cold feeling, wet-leathered feet should be a bowl of matzoh ball soup at Veselka over on Second Avenue. Umbrella tilted toward the wind I glimpsed beneath it tulip and daffodil colours in the window of this shop and beyond, its interior coziness. So I went inside, then realized that I had been there, years before, seeking a black cashmere wool fitted baseball hat.

Still present was the coziness, but not the cap. Instead, perched atop vintage wooden hat blocks and flanges was a range of striking cloches, turbans, fedoras, toppers, sisals, raffias, toyos and porkpies. I didn’t see any toques.

The shop offers classes in which you can make your own hat with provided supplies; seeming eager to please and accommodate its customers and students, one class begins at 2am and ends at 5am!

Of all possible souvenirs or mementos of a trip to New York, none seems more special than a unique, hand-made hat, a piece of lifelong lasting jewelry, or a piece of original art work. For jewelry, read about Icon Style, for artwork The Old Print Shop.