Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate empirically the consumer behavior regarding the purchase of millinery items in relation to their evaluation criterion and demographic characteristics. The survey was carried out to 395 individuals in their 20s and over who were quota sampled according to age and gender. The collected data were statistically treated with the SPSS 12.0 program in terms of descriptive statistics, cross tabulation, t-test, one-way ANOVA, factor analysis, Cronbach's $\alpha$ coefficient and Duncan-test. The 20s and 50s over were more interested in hat products than other ages. Female consumers obtained the most information about hat products from store visits, TV and magazines. On the other hand, male consumers had it from the acquaintances and internet. Younger consumers more often utilized internet to have it. Their main purchase location was department stores. The younger purchased it more in traditional market, the older purchased it more in mega wholesale market or discount store. The consumers of hat products considered the intrinsic classification most when buying hats. The evaluation criteria employed by them were aesthetics, quality, and external attributes. Hat consumers were more concerned about aesthetics attributes than the other two criteria. Female consumers and consumers who are more interested in the hat and have a higher level of education and income considered aesthetics attributes most important.
