Vienna’s traditional manufacturers excel in reinventing themselves for the 21st century. Spearheading this trend is Mühlbauer, a family-run millinery established in 1903 and now in its fourth generation.

As its new torchbearers, siblings Klaus and Marlies Mühlbauer have restyled and rebranded their exquisitely handcrafted headwear as the “it” accessory of the moment: international film stars, rock icons, rap stars and the well-heeled flock to Paris’ Le Bon Marché, New York’s Bergdorf Goodman and Tokyo’s Isetan to acquire chapeaus branded with the retro “M” logo. Fashion-confident Japanese in particular go gaga over the Vienna-made hats, while Mühlbauer Yoko Ono and Meryl Streep are also reputed fans.

Neither excessively flamboyant nor generic, these crowning caps combine functionality with trend-setting edge. For the ultimate hat-fitting experience, stop by the Kühn Malvezzi-designed flagship store on Spiegelgasse—determined sales assistants produce one fantastic hat after another until finding perfect fit for your face. A Mühlbauer multi-brand boutique has also opened up shop across the street from the hat store.

If you could have only one accessory from Vienna, it must be a Mühlbauer hat.