Custom Hats by Watson

At Watson’s Hat Shop we use the exact same equipment that has been used for making custom hats for well over a hundred years. By using forgotten hat maker’s trade secrets we build some of the finest pure beaver cowboy hats, Aussie hats, and fedora hats.

Watson’s Hat Shop owns the original equipment from one of the oldest hat shops in the U.S., dating back to 1860 when Mr. Hand started Hand the Hatter, located in Boston, Massachusetts at 30 La Grange St. Today we still use that exact same hat making equipment, custom hat making process and only the finest materials when building your custom hat.

Hand-Made Custom Hats Start At $699 :: Get Yours In Just 48 Hours!!

click here for watson’s hat prices

GET A CUSTOM FIT WITH YOUR WATSON’S CUSTOM HAT …

Please follow the 6 steps below for choosing your custom hat. When complete, give Watson’s Hat Shop a call and we will get your custom hat started. Because this is a completely custom made hat, we always talk with the customer to make sure we communicate effectively, ensuring you will get the exact hat you want.

GET SIZED

IN STORE

Come in to Watson’s Hat Shop and get a perfect sized custom hat the old fashioned way using a conformateur, a head measuring device designed in the 1870s. We’re located in Stagecoach Village, in beautiful Cave Creek, Arizona.

AT HOME

It’s just as easy to get the perfect sized custom hat from the comfort of your own home. Follow the video steps and send us the measurements so we can craft you a custom made hat just for you, and ship it to you any place in the world.

Quick View Sizing Chart

PICK A STYLE

CUSTOM FEDORA DRESS HAT

A dress hat is more pliable and a lighter weight. A dress weight flexes to the hand and commonly found in a dress hat or Aussie hat.

CUSTOM COWBOY HAT

The Cowboy hat styles are what has been worn in the past as well as modern day cowboys and cowgirls. A western hat is still found in various equestrian cultures, ranches, and rodeo arenas.

CUSTOM AUSSIE HAT

This style of hat is a cross between a cowboy hat and a fedora. Typically has less of a cowboy look, but still some of a western appeal without the brim being too wide in most cases like a cowboy hat. The weight an Aussie can be a dress weight or western weight. (Per request of each hat made)

CUSTOM PANAMA HAT

A genuine Panama hat is hand woven from Cuenca Cane. This plant is found naturally growing at high elevations in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador. Panama’s are a completely different from a straw hat. They are much more durable and can be serviced for cleaning. A Panama hat has a richer look and does not absorb sweat like the cheaper straw hats do. Even over the time the look of a genuine panama continues to look great.

FELT HAT OPTIONS

CUSTOM COWBOY / CUSTOM WESTERN (We offer 2 felt options):

Western Hats are stiffer and more rigid

Pure 100% North American Beaver Fur
Beaver & Mink Fur Felt

CUSTOM DRESS HAT (This weight is less stiff and more pliable)

Pure Beaver Fur Felt
Beaver & Mink Fur Felt

PANAMA HAT GRADES

We offer 5 different Grades for our Custom Panama hat

Grade 20
Montecristo Fino
Montecristo Fino Fino
Montecristo Super Fino
Montecristo Extra Super Fino

PICK A COLOR

PICK THE QUALITY – AVAILABLE IN ANY STYLE

BEAVER BLEND

The Beaver Blend is our standard hand pounced finish, a 50/50 blend of solely beaver fur and European Hare mixed together. Stronger than wool felt with a softer feel and richer look. Available only in western weight felt.

PURE BEAVER

Pure Beaver is one of our most popular signature finishes. This finish has a great look and smooth feel. Made from 100% pure beaver fur felt, it is stronger than the Beaver Blend, naturally water resistant and with a richer look.

SIGNATURE BEAVER

The Signature Beaver has a velour feel with a rich tone. Made with pure belly beaver fur, it is a more condensed fur felt. Qualities are light weight, natural luster, softer finish and naturally water resistant. This is one of Watson’s most refined signature finishes and has a natural sleek luster that anyone across the way is sure to notice!

BEAVER MINK

The Beaver Mink fur felt is a special 80/20 blend of Beaver and Mink fur that makes the density of these felts incredibly strong, and providing a rich, deep colored finish. Also, once you feel the felt on this hat you will feel how soft and sleek it is to the touch. Available only in certain colors.

CLEAR SILVER BEAVER

The Clear Silver Beaver is the finest quality beaver fur in the world. The softest and purest of all beaver fur, it is completely natural in silver color … no dye! The strongest of all beaver fur felt hats comes with a premium hand-tooled leather sweat ban and sterling silver buckle set. Annual limited quantities.