Haberdasher vs. Milliner — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 12, 2023
A haberdasher is a seller of small sewing articles like buttons, ribbons, and zippers. A milliner specializes in designing, making, or selling hats, especially women's hats.
Difference Between Haberdasher and Milliner
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Key Differences
A haberdasher is a term used for retailers or merchants dealing in notions—small articles used in sewing, such as buttons, ribbons, and zippers. Milliners, on the other hand, are specialists in the world of hats. They design, create, and sell headwear, primarily focusing on women's hats.
Haberdashers are more generalists in their offering; they usually sell a variety of small items that are essential for both professional tailoring and personal sewing projects. Milliners are more niche and specialized; their work is almost exclusively centered around hats, and they might even offer customization.
A haberdasher can be a small shop owner or part of a larger fabric or craft store. They cater to a broad audience, anyone from costume designers to everyday people looking to mend their clothes. Milliners are often more boutique and artisanal, typically catering to a specific audience looking for unique or high-end headwear.
Historically speaking, the term "haberdasher" has slightly different meanings in the United States and the United Kingdom. In the UK, a haberdasher might also sell men's clothing and accessories. Milliners, however, have a more universally understood role focused on hats, regardless of the region.
Comparison Chart
Primary Focus
Sewing notions
Hats
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Specialization
General
Niche
Audience
Broad (tailors to general public)
Specific (hat enthusiasts)
Regional Meaning
Varies (U.S. vs. U.K.)
Generally consistent
Product Range
Multiple small sewing items
Primarily hats
Compare with Definitions
Haberdasher
A seller of small sewing articles like buttons and ribbons.
I went to the haberdasher to buy some buttons for my coat.
Milliner
A designer and maker of hats.
The milliner created a beautiful hat for the Kentucky Derby.
Haberdasher
A retailer of notions essential for sewing.
The haberdasher provided all the zippers and threads I needed.
Milliner
A boutique owner focusing on high-end hats.
The milliner sourced materials from around the world for her creations.
Haberdasher
A merchant offering various small items for garment repair.
The haberdasher had everything from elastic bands to needles.
Milliner
An expert in crafting unique headwear.
The milliner offered bespoke designs for special occasions.
Haberdasher
A shop specializing in tailoring supplies.
The local haberdasher is a go-to spot for professional tailors.
Milliner
A seller of women's hats.
She bought her wedding hat from a renowned milliner.
Haberdasher
Sometimes a seller of men's clothing (in the UK).
In London, the haberdasher also sold ties and pocket squares.
Milliner
A specialist in hat fashion.
The milliner's shop was filled with an array of elegant headpieces.
Haberdasher
In British English, a haberdasher is a business or person who sells small articles for sewing, dressmaking and knitting, such as buttons, ribbons, and zips; in the United States, the term refers instead to a retailer who sells men's clothing, including suits, shirts, and neckties. The sewing articles are called "haberdashery" in British English; the corresponding term is "notions" in American English where haberdashery is the name for the shop itself though it's largely an archaicism now.
Milliner
One that makes, trims, designs, or sells hats.
Haberdasher
A dealer in men's furnishings.
Milliner
A person who is involved in the manufacture, design, or sale of hats for women.
Haberdasher
Chiefly British A dealer in sewing notions and small wares.
Milliner
Formerly, a man who imported and dealt in small articles of a miscellaneous kind, especially such as please the fancy of women.
No milliner can so fit his customers with gloves.
Haberdasher
A dealer in ribbons, buttons, thread, needles and similar sewing goods.
Milliner
A person who designs, makes, trims, or deals in hats, bonnets, headdresses, etc., for women.
Haberdasher
(US) A men's outfitter.
Milliner
A merchant who designs and sells hats
Haberdasher
(British) A member of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers, a livery company.
Milliner
Someone who makes and sells hats
Haberdasher
A dealer in small wares, as tapes, pins, needles, and thread.
Haberdasher
A dealer in items of men's clothing, such as hats, gloves, neckties, etc.
The haberdasher heapeth wealth by hats.
Haberdasher
A dealer in drapery goods of various descriptions, as laces, silks, trimmings, etc.
Haberdasher
A merchant who sells men's clothing
Common Curiosities
Is Haberdasher a general term?
Yes, haberdashers offer a variety of small sewing-related items.
What does a Haberdasher sell?
A haberdasher sells small sewing articles like buttons, zippers, and ribbons.
Is Milliner a specialized term?
Yes, milliners focus almost exclusively on hats.
Who shops at a Haberdasher?
Tailors, costume designers, and everyday people needing sewing supplies.
Is a Haberdasher a tailor?
No, a haberdasher sells supplies that a tailor might use.
What does a Milliner specialize in?
A milliner specializes in designing, making, and selling hats.
Do Haberdashers sell clothes?
Not usually, but in the UK, they might sell men's clothing and accessories.
Who shops at a Milliner?
People looking for unique or high-end hats.
Do Milliners sell other accessories?
Generally no, they focus primarily on hats.
How do I know if a shop is a Haberdasher or Milliner?
Haberdashers sell sewing notions; milliners sell hats.
Is a Milliner a fashion designer?
A milliner could be considered a specialized type of fashion designer focused on hats.
Is the term Haberdasher used differently in the UK?
Yes, in the UK it can also mean a seller of men's clothing.
Can you customize products at a Milliner?
Often, milliners offer custom designs.
Is the term Milliner gender-specific?
No, but they often specialize in women's hats.
Can you buy fabric at a Haberdasher?
Sometimes, though the focus is generally on smaller sewing articles.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
