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    The Hat Box

    3.7 (61 reviews)
    PriceyHats
    Closed 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    This is the "good side".

    This is a cute store and the lady was very nice. That said, make sure you thoroughly examine your purchase before leaving. My hat has a crease in it that won't come out. I noticed it right after getting to our timeshare, and they already closed. Tried to go back the next day which was Monday. Internet said they open at 11am. Sign on the door said open to Thursday to Sunday. Thursday waited til 11am and they never opened. No response to email, phone call or Instagram message. We are only there once a year and leave Friday. Still no access to store or response from anyone. I paid $55 for a defective hat that I am stuck with. So not a happy customer. Lesson learned. Buyer be aware, I guess. Make sure you thoroughly inspect your purchase before leaving the store.

    Loving our derby hats!
    Garry Leo F. C.

    The Hat Box Yay! I finally got my derby hat. A few weeks ago, Paula, the hat store owner, had told us that she'd place an order for my size. It came early so we stopped by. I am so excited! It is even wonderful that my hat fit perfectly because I had my own personal fitting with a Milliner--Thanks so much Paula. Holly was also there with her gracious and welcoming smile. These two women are dynamic duos! I have been looking for proper fitting hats for years! I can't believe I found it here in the The Hat Box Store--a gem of a store in Laguna Beach! Tom also got his fedora hat. He is very happy about that! We know that we cannot go wrong coming to the Hat Box because we always will leave the store with a proper fitting hats. That's a Milliner for you! Thanks again Paula!

    Tao L.

    I'm a huge fan of Paula as you can see. She helped me color coordinate some of my looks and she even gave me a tip on my black and white striped dress which are the same shades that she has on the hat box when you purchase her signature hat! She has a tough, but motherly New Yorker personality that some may find off putting if you don't understand her style. I'm from the east coast so I felt at home in her beautiful shop. She has the best hat in SoCal and maybe even all of Cali. I went down to San Diego and even BH to find a good sun hat for my yachting and modeling lifestyle, but after looking for a few months I tried The Hat Box and didn't have to look any further. It became my go-to shop for hats. Paula has every color you can think of - if it's not in stock - she can custom make it! These are the nicest quality hats I've ever worn. Even my Hermès hats can't beat this quality. I hope you find the perfect one for you. I'll be back tomorrow to pick up another one. Don't let the bad reviews discourage you from trying a piece that will be a great addition to your wardrobe forever. That's how long these hats will last. Well, Ciao!

    Nicole A.

    0/10 stars. I walked in with my boyfriend and tried on a hat and the owner and her assistant came up to me and said "don't touch the hat I hand make them" she was completely rude. I don't know how this place is in business. It's a hat store... when buying a hat you're meant to try it on. If she's so concerned with people touching her hats she needs the put them in glass cases. I would 10/10 not recommend this place. Absolutely awful customer experience!

    Hats! Beautiful Hats!
    Terrence A.

    This store is great! I have a few hats from here and today my friend and I were walking by and she saw a hat she has been looking for! Paula has been making hats for 35 years and she custom fitted this hat for my friend in less than 10 minutes. I'm a forever customer.

    Lorenzo M.

    I was seeking a new hat for our trip to Hawaii. We decided to give the Hat Box a visit. Once we walked in we were greeted by the owner Paula who hand makes some of the beautiful Panama hats in store, she paid a ton of attention to detail on how the hats fit and what style was best for my step son and I. We both walked away with a new hat each and ready to style into our Hawaii trip. Give this place a look if you're in the area!

    Fine hand woven panama hat!
    J B.

    I have been looking for a quality hand made panama hat for several years to replace my old one. Just happened to poke my head in as I have done in every hat shop I stumble across in my travels. Usually I am disappointed and find cheap wannabe fake factory made in china hats. This time I hit the jackpot. I was very fortunate to run into Paula the spunky proprietor. Her family has been in the hat business since my grandpa was a pup. She had a wonderful selection of quality hand woven panama hats and helped me to find a great hat. She steamed the brim down and adjusted the fit for me. I'm pretty sure I almost got a ruler across the knuckles for grabbing the hat by the crown. Thank you Paula. You have all my love and respect. I just wish your shop wasn't 4.5 hours from where I live. When I wear this one out I will be back in Laguna. If you are looking for a quality hat look no further. PS you cant get what Paula offers from the internet. With the internet it is just expensive roulette.

    Anika C.

    Yelp 100 Challenge 2016 - Review 21 of 100... This is a cute little hat shop in the lovely section of PCH that seems to feature uber stylish boutiques and cute eateries. I was curious to take my hat-finding adventures to another county - I still have more in LA to explore - but, since I work in OC, I thought it'd be nice to take a "lunch break" and see what toppers OC potentially has for me. Though this store is located on a major highway (number one, baby!), I have been able to find metered street parking either directly on PCH or non-metered parking on the residential side street just south of the store (watch the signs!). The lady who helped me (I believe she is the owner) is very sweet and is easy to talk to. I had a very particular event in mind for which I wanted this hat, but I wanted something I could wear often. She has some extended sizes and was very knowledgeable about the stylists she carried and which brands run larger or smaller. I ended up leaving with a fedora made out of paper that has served me well. I do, however, prefer a sturdier fabric because I'm rough. The only reason I am not giving this store a higher rating is because this hat store tends to cater to female styles. I tend to flock to "little old man" styles of hats... they seem to work for me! I like the flat cap / paperboy family and more masculine fedoras. If you are in the area and like hats, it's definitely worth checking out... I know I will when I can!

    I LOVE The Hat Box!

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    11 years ago

    Awful service was about to buy a 600$ hat when the lady working there yelled at me to put it down saying i couldn't afford it.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - The Hat Box

    Review Highlights - The Hat Box

    Paula has been making hats for 35 years and she custom fitted this hat for my friend in less than 10 minutes.

    Mentioned in 17 reviews

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