The side and back racks are filled with very classy men's and women's hats, made all the more lovely by what a surprise they are in this shop. Not at all as garish as its … signage, and run by a shopkeep who knows the history of his wares. [link]

The Indra, besides being a whiz-bang burlesque performer and chanteuse, is also a 1940s-revival hat designer. The best place to find her work -- delicate top hats, … porkpies with veils, and lots of stripes and flourishes -- is to see them perched aside the lovely custom corsets at Dark Garden. [link]

A true classic of impeccable taste and attentive but not at all snobbish customer service, Cable Car is a fine place to go for your first hat fitting experience. Pricey, … but perfect, plus you can accessorize with old school grooming items, or some English hose and sleeve garters. [link]

The official haberdasher of former SF mayor Willie Brown and rumored to exercise an entirely reasonable policy of discriminating in favor of vintage-attired patrons. Go … in already sporting a Stetson and you may just hear "Well, for you, dear, I do have a discount ..." [link]

Walking into Al's for the first time is a little like that Christmas when you got a pony, only you're Tom Waits and the pony is a classy tailor shop tastefully spread … with custom suits, dresses, and coats. Racks of hats with a retro flair are just a part of Al's bread and butter, as no good outfit (or gin-soaked singer -- he really does clothe Mr. Waits) can go hatless. His little pug will keep at bay as the man himself whisks around you taking your measurements and fitting you just right. [link]

Nestled on a little street in North Beach in close proximity to titty bars and tattoo joints, Goorin's got a pretty and slightly deconstructed selection of caps and … brimmed hats. Designs skew a tad trendy, but beautifully presented. [link]