East Village Hats New York

Village Milliner 3

Geoffrey from New York

""Hat Works" on New York's 7th St. is a hand-made hat shop. First time I was here, I was just arrested by the colors on the window & its interior cosiness."

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.

Shopping

This week 25% off

with the code fall25

*on our yearly membership

New York Spotter Geoffrey

About me I travel to discover how people elsewhere live, how they manage living with low incomes in expensive cities, how they grapple with hard times and failing economies, how they deal with ageing or crumbling families and how they themselves age and adapt. Knowing and loving New York comes from having lived through many of its manifestations while witnessing its changes. Why New York I love New York because of its broad cultural spectrum realized in all forms of the arts, food, technology, politics and transportation, and its easy access to the beautif...

About this spot

East 7th Street 80

Men's Pork Pie:

US$

325

Website

2123587092

Social

Oct 4, 2025

Our New York City Guide

Find your way with 308 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our New York guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in New York

Color World

Curb Side BBQ

Color World sets up on the corner of 116th and 2nd Avenue, rain or shine. There they serve beef, pork, goat, oxtail, and chicken for $10 a plate.

Snacks

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 17, 2025

Don Alejo Coffee

Coffee, toasts and burritos

Their prices are in keeping with the neighborhood: a plate of two eggs, two pancakes, 'home' fried potatoes and your choice of sausages or bacon, is $12.

People Watching

This sun soaked park bench is a destination neighborhood residents know, spending time there in observation. It’s one of the more fabulous NYC stages.