The Custom Hat Experience: From Consultation to Creation

Real talk about how a plain hat became the highlight of my client's wardrobe

Meeting Annalyn: When She First Walked Through My Door

I'll never forget when Annalyn first came into my little studio. She had this hopeful but slightly frustrated look I've come to recognize in my clients, and then oh so common words followed- the ones I hear on a weekly basis….."I know I want a hat but I feel like I look awful in hats".

Annalyn is an interior designer with this amazing eye for detail (which, not gonna lie, made me a little nervous at first!). She had a few commitments coming up in Round Top, Texas and wanted something that would stand out without screaming for attention. You know what I mean?

"I'm so tired of trying on hats that just aren't... me," she told me as she sipped her coffee. We sat at the table in my design studio where all the magic starts - just two women chatting about style, personality, and what makes someone feel confident.

That first meeting wasn't just business. We laughed about her previous hat disasters, scrolled through her Instagram for style inspiration, and really got to know each other. Because here's the thing - I can't make someone's perfect hat if I don't understand who they are.

Getting Down to the Nitty-Gritty of Design

After our chat, we got serious about design. Annalyn gravitated toward one of my favorite felt hat styles– the “Gus” hat that was just begging for some personality. A Gus hat is not for the weak– it is a bold hat that takes a confident person to pull it off- she could!

All the Fun Stuff We Played With

This is honestly my favorite part - watching someone's eyes light up as they discover all the ways we can transform a basic hat. With Annalyn, we went a little wild exploring options:

Embellishments: I pulled out a variety of goodies - silks in every color, feathers that would make a peacock jealous, authentic hat bands I've collected from various artisans, and even dried flowers. 

Hat Jewelry: Annalyn was drawn to the large  jewelry box of hat pins. I'd been curating this collection for over 2 years now. "These tell stories," she said, running her fingers over the different pins.  She was getting the hang of this and didn’t even know it… yes, each piece you had tells a story… a story about you!.

Hat Bands: Oh man, the hat bands! I unfurled my collection of scarves, leather and bead strung pieces. From pearls to labradorite to coral- we had anything we could want in front of us. Annalyn kept going back to the silks and a turquoise piece.

Beaded Bits: Several of the artisans purchase from are bead geniuses, and Annaylyn couldn't stop playing with the little glimmering hat bands that hung fresh for the picking off the wall racks. "These catch the light and truly enhance a hat," she said - spoken like a true designer.

Making It Hers: We talked about adding her initials with some branding, maybe even her logo. "Something subtle," she decided. "I want people to ask about it."

After playing with  options for the hat for nearly an hour (yes, we tried EVERYTHING), Annalyn landed on this combination that just felt right: a neutral silverbelly,  ombré silks, a few feathers, leather and turquoise bands and even a turquoise charm set in 18 carat gold plated silver that complemented everything perfectly.

Making Sarah's Hat Come to Life

I won't bore you with every step (though I could talk hat-making all day), but there's something special about transforming a hat that I wish everyone could experience.

First, I spent some time just with the hat itself - checking the shape, giving it a little steam to make sure the brim curve was just right for Annalyn’s face shape and height. These little things do matter, people!

I always hold my breath during assembly. Getting everything in just the right spot takes steady hands - one slip and you can damage a hat, especially when it comes to branding (there may need to be a bloopers article on just branding). Luckily the focus becomes routine after you've done it for years and happens with ease these days.  My fingers just seem to know where everything belongs now.

The Big Reveal (AKA My Favorite Moment)

When I placed it on her head as she stared angsty in the mirror, she actually gasped - like, a real, genuine gasp. Not the polite kind people do when they're trying to be nice.

"It's so much better than what was in my head," she said, and guys - THAT is why I do this job.

The before and after was striking. What started as a lovely but common Gus hat had become this statement piece that somehow managed to be bold and subtle at the same time. The silk bands spoke just perfectly with the leather and the feathers in a way that designers appreciated, the turquoise charm positioned perfected near the top of the gus crown, and those earthy beads added just enough of a statement without going over the top.

Annalyn's Hat in Real Life

About three weeks later, Annalyn sent me amazing photos from her days in Round Top. There she was in her element, wearing her hat like she was born in it.

"You wouldn't believe how many people commented on this hat," her text read. "I've handed out your card to at least a dozen people. One woman said the hat looked like it belonged on display as a decorative item!"

That's the thing about a truly custom piece - it doesn't just sit on your head, it becomes part of your story.

Want Your Own Hat Journey?

Every person who walks through my door has a different hat story waiting to happen. Yours might involve vintage ribbon from your grandmother's sewing box, or colors inspired by your favorite place to visit, or something completely unexpected that we discover together.

Annalyn came looking for a hat and left with a conversation piece that's now part of her professional identity. That's the real magic of custom work - it's never just about the thing itself, but what it means to you.

If you're curious about creating your own custom hat (or rescuing an old favorite that needs some love), let's chat. No pressure, just creative possibilities and maybe a cocktail!

When I'm not elbow-deep in hat supplies or writing blog posts, I'm The Hat Chick - making ordinary hats extraordinary for clients who aren't afraid to show their personality. Curious? Drop me a line, visit me at a pop up or make an appointment to come by the studio.