With winter weather in flux, nothing pulls together an outfit like a fun and well-fitted hat. But searching for one can become a Holy Grail mission. Forgo the endless trek through the city’s retail scene by checking out these small workshop-stores where the designers are usually on site to help you select a style from their one-of-a-kind collections, from classy fedoras to comfy knits.

Victor Osborne
Since opening in Williamsburg more then a year ago, co-founders Victor Osborne, 25, and Zachary Barnett, 24, have turned their working space into a boutique. "The Atelier is a fusion between a workshop and a store—when people come in they see everything," explains Barnett, who studied industrial and graphic design at Concordia in Montreal. Inside their Brooklyn store, you'll find a wide selection of men's and women's hats from berets to fedoras locally manufactured ones.

Artikal
Selling online and out of her East Village showroom, milliner Holly Slayton-Chance's Artikal collection carries everything from ‘40s-style fedoras to velour hand-blocked hats. A favorite of the editorial style set, these pieces have appeared in magazines from Bust to Nylon and graced the heads of such celebs as Rose McGowan.

Kelly Christy Hats
Known for her collaborations with Isaac Mizrahi and Nathan Jenden, Kelly Christy creates nature-inspired designs that have drawn shoppers to her Nolita shop since 1996. Customers can opt for a design off the rack or a custom-made number for $100 to $500. If that's too much of an indulgence, check back regularly since her pre-made styles rotate frequently. 

Barbara Feinman Millinery
Barbara Feinman's boutique/work space has been on the same block for almost a decade. Taught by famed designer Lilly Dache, Feinman's hats ($38 to $250) share space with those from fellow designers Karmenlara Seidman and Alyson Perry, as well as vintage-style jewelry. With such a selection, you're guaranteed to walk away with a unique piece.

(Photo courtesy of Victor Osborne)

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