Geoffrey from New York

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....
Oct 4, 2025

East Village Hats New York

Village Milliner 3

""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.

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About this spot

East 7th Street 80

Men's Pork Pie:

US$

325

+1

2123587092

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