Kat In A Hat Co. | Home

Bespoke Millinery · Georgia, Kentucky, & New York

Handcrafted hats for the bold, the elegant, and beautifully untamed.

Rooted in traditional and modern millinery, Kat In A Hat creates sculptural, hand-blocked hats for race days, celebrations, and moments worth being noticed. Each piece is made by hand and in limited numbers — because true craftsmanship should never be rushed.

Katrina Papel-McMahan of Kat In A Hat Millinery Co.

The Atelier

Where craftsmanship meets storytelling.

Kat In A Hat Millinery Co. was born from Katrina’s lifelong love of hats, old-world craftsmanship, and the belief that what we wear can tell a story. Each piece is shaped by hand with an artist’s eye for proportion, movement, and the unexpected — balancing traditional millinery with a distinctly modern point of view.

For Katrina, millinery is an ever-evolving craft. Continued study, experimentation, and the exchange of techniques with milliners from around the world keep that craft moving forward — and ensure that no two Kat In A Hat creations tell quite the same story.

Read Her Full Story

Shop the Collections

Made for the moments that call for something more.

From the grandstand to the garden party, the aisle to the open road, Kat In A Hat creates millinery for occasions worth dressing for — and for those who believe you don’t always need an occasion at all. Explore the collections below.

La Belle Course

The Race Collection

For the grandstand and beyond.

Race-day millinery ranging from refined silhouettes to sculptural statement pieces.

Travel · Leisure · Everyday Style

The Lifestyle Collection

For wherever life takes you.

Fedoras, westerns, boaters, straws, felts, pillboxes and wearable statement hats made for life beyond the rail.

Private Commissions

The Bespoke Atelier

Made for you. And no one else.

A one-of-a-kind design created around you, your style and your occasion.

The Commission Journey

From idea to heirloom.

I

Inquire

Tell me about your occasion, your style, and what you’re imagining.

II

Consult

We’ll explore your vision, silhouette, materials, and design direction together.

III

Create

Your piece is shaped, constructed, and finished by hand in the atelier.

IV

Wear

Your one-of-a-kind piece is ready to make its entrance — and, perhaps, become an heirloom or find its way onto a magazine page.

A Few Kind Words

From those who’ve worn one.

★★★★★
“I can’t say enough good things about Katrina and her work. She created the most beautiful fascinator to match my dress. I got so many compliments on it.”
Gloria B.Kentucky Derby
★★★★★
“Trina makes the entire experience simply wonderful! She is SO knowledgeable about everything ‘hats’! Her creativity and guidance helped create the MOST amazing piece!”
Angela R.Custom Commission
★★★★★
“I have a custom hatmaker! I am overjoyed that I went with Kat In A Hat. The craftsmanship is absolutely incredible — she listened to my personality and weaved me directly into my hat. I love the service, the detail, and the art. 100% veteran approved.”
Josh F.Bespoke Atelier

Ready to Find Yours?

You’re the Kat’s Meow.

Whether you’ve found the one or have something entirely your own in mind, your next hat starts here.