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Panama Hat
Although hats are no longer a mandatory element of a man's or woman's wardrobe, headwear greatly contributes to enhancing style in terms of both form and function.
Unlike the plethora of hat styles available in winter, there is only one classic summer hat that stands the test of time: it is indeed the Panama hat. Both classic and very elegant, it is THE hat that goes with everything and effortlessly adds the finishing touch to an outfit. The advantage of this hat is that it can be worn by everyone and with everything, whether with a pretty summer dress or a casual outfit for going into town.
A "Panama hat" refers to a hat made of straw; lightly colored and finely woven, made from the toquilla palm straw originating from South America. Although the name implies that the origins of this world-renowned hat are in Panama, the original Panama has always been handmade in Ecuador. There, this hat is better known as sombrero de paja toquilla, or simply "straw hat". The Panama hat, due to its lightness and breathable qualities, makes it the ideal choice for hot and sunny weather. Therefore, a Panama hat should be in the wardrobe of every self-respecting man and woman.
Buying Guide for a Panama Hat
If you are hesitating or wish to verify the country of origin and material of a Panama hat before buying it, here are some tips. To our knowledge, the name "Panama hat" is not regulated. Therefore, similar white-colored hats with a traditional black band will also be called Panama hats even if they do not originate from Ecuador.
Some tips:
- Buy from a reputable hat retailer or directly from a hatter. If their profession is hats, they should be able to answer all your questions about the country of origin, weave density, etc. If not, we advise you to find a different source, such as articles on the internet (which we offer just below) or videos on YouTube.
- Above all, buy your hat for its quality and longevity, not its price. It's true that a Panama hat requires a certain budget, but see this purchase as a real investment. Buy the best authentic and quality Panama hat you can afford, as the hat will last you for years if properly maintained.
Maintenance Guide for a Panama Hat
Now that you have acquired a beautiful Panama hat, its longevity will depend on you and how you wear and maintain it.
Some reminders to take care of it:
- Never pick up your Panama hat or straw hat by the top of the crown! We often see many of our customers doing this in our store. However, this is a habit you should not adopt at all! By pinching it, the hat takes the shape of your gesture, and you risk damaging the straw and completely deteriorating your hat. We constantly remind our customers not to do this because even with a lot of experience and goodwill, the hat is generally irreparable...
- Never leave your straw hat on the rear shelf of your car. Indeed, some drivers find it very nice and decorative to leave a few hats at the back, however, it's very bad for them! The sun dries out the straw and makes it much more fragile and therefore brittle. This should definitely not be done with your favorite hats!
- Just like the sun, Panama hats don't like water either. Even though this type of hat is often worn in summer when rain is rare, it's still quite possible that your Panama will accompany you to the seaside or the pool.
- It may seem logical, but we still want to remind you: only roll the models designed to be rolled. Indeed, there are 100% foldable Panama hats, which are thus very practical, easy to transport, and regain their original shape.
Don't like the ribbon on your hat? No problem. A ribbon can easily be changed by yourself or at a hat shop. Most hats come with a black band, but they also look great with other colors and patterns, such as brown, a red, white, and blue band...
Here are our other articles about the Panama hat
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How to roll your Panama hat?
Some panama hats can be rolled up for easier, less bulky transport. Find out how to do this without risking damage to your favorite headgear.
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Panama Hat - Cleaning and Maintenance
As elegant as they are fragile, panama hats need to be handled with great care: breakage, deformation and soiling can happen quickly. Here are a few tips to help you take good care of them.
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The different qualities of Panama Hat
As one of the most prestigious hats, panama hats vary in quality from one model to another. Here are a few criteria for determining the finesse of these famous hats.
