Leave Your Hat On

Keep your head covered in these stylish locations

You don’t have to agree with the legendary New York milliner Lilly Daché — she believed a hat was an expression of one’s soul. But it’s reasonable to expect your hat to perform some function, whether it’s blocking the sun, keeping your head dry, or protecting a delicate hairstyle. Even if your chapeau is simply a fashion statement, Australian milliner Waltraud Reiner says there are a few things you should remember. “Never buy a hat only because it looks good,” Reiner cautions. “A hat must feel good foremost  and, secondly, look good. If you can run and go about your daily business without touching, holding on to your hat, or adjusting it all the time, then you’ve got a good hat.”

Those good hats can be hard to find. But travel the world, and you’ll discover them in many shapes and sizes. Here are just a few places to look:

1

London: Philip Treacy’s boutique is the place to go if you want to be decked out like Camilla Parker Bowles or Grace Jones. Whether it’s a saucerlike lid or a playful Campbell’s soup can cocktail hat like the one model Naomi Campbell once wore in a fashion show, Treacy’s simple and fluid hats look good from every angle. Londoners, including other milliners, speak highly of Treacy, who was born in County Galway, Ireland. “He’s the only one who could be responsible for bringing hats back into vogue,” says fellow designer Yvette Jelfs. You couldn’t go wrong bringing a signature Treacy creation home — in its own hatbox, of course. 69 Elizabeth St.; philiptreacy.co.uk 

2

Paris: In one of the world’s fashion epicenters, it’s not difficult to find a generations-old millinery shop. Paris is where Coco Chanel invented the boater, Caroline Reboux created the cloche, and Elsa Schiaparelli became famous for her upside-down shoe hat. The French wear their hats to special events, including one that’s unique to their homeland: On the feast day of St. Catherine of Alexandria (November 25) unmarried women ages 25 and older attend a ball wearing a new hat made especially for the occasion. The holiday used to be a big deal in the City of Lights through the early 1960s. After an absence, it has now made a comeback. Young women are once again wearing chapeaus, and guys are getting in on the act too at Anthony Peto, a shop where you can buy a colorful stovepipe hat that rivals anything Abraham Lincoln ever wore. 56 Rue Tiquetonne; anthonypeto.com

3

New York: If the popularity of the annual Easter Parade is any indication, hats are still essential accessories in the Big Apple. New Yorkers go all out on Easter Sunday, wearing their finest attire and toppers. The men sport fedoras, boaters, and fezzes; women don toques, snoods, and doll hats festooned with ribbons, tulle, and handmade flowers. City stores cater to those who favor hats year-round too. The Hat Shop, in the trendy Soho neighborhood, strives to cater to all — the novice with no hats as well as the collector with hundreds in her closet. “The hat has to be practical and stylish but also within their budget,” says assistant store manager Miranda Schmidt-Childs. “It’s got to be something she’s actually going to wear.” Options range in price from $20 berets to a unique cocktail hat that goes for $658. 120 Thompson St.; thehatshopnyc.com

4

Cairns: For whatever reason, Down Under is an oft-overlooked destination for hats. Perhaps some travelers imagine all Australian chapeaus resemble the weathered one Paul Hogan famously wore in Crocodile Dundee. But Australia also produces sophisticated hats that rival the best of Europe. One of the most prominent places for Aussies to be seen in their hats (including the fascinator style that’s popular here) is the Melbourne Cup horse race, where a prize is awarded for best women’s hat. Milliner Louise MacDonald — who has made hats worn by Helena Bonham Carter in Howards End and Tom Cruise in Far and Away — is a favorite in Melbourne, 1,700 miles south of Cairns. 37 Swanston St. (8th floor), Melbourne; millinery.com.au

5

Milan: It’s no small wonder that great hats can be found in this Italian city, known as a world fashion capital. Borsalino hats are legendary for their craftsmanship; at the retail store, you can find luxurious Panama hats handwoven in Ecuador. Contrary to popular opinion, Borsalinos aren’t just for men, either; the company also has feather-festooned fedoras and felt pillboxes for women. In addition, Borsalino has recently branched out into making stylish helmets for motorcyclists. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II 92-20121; borsalino.com

6

Houston: In this city, where it’s not uncommon to see businessmen in boots, cowboy hats are the main draw. The best place to find one of your own is the Hat Store, founded by Sam Silver. Silver’s grandson, Gary Cohen, now sells Western hats ranging from $140 for a simple felt topper to $5,000 for a chinchilla and beaver fur felt hat with a 14-karat gold buckle and 24 full-cut diamonds. 5587 Richmond Ave.; thehatstore.com

Getting There: All the destinations covered in “Go to Town” can be reached by flying Continental Airlines. To book your trip, visit Continental Airlines Vacations at covacations.com.