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Panama Hat

Although hats are no longer a mandatory element in a man's or woman's wardrobe, headwear greatly contributes to improving style both in terms of 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's indeed the Panama hat. Both classic and very elegant, it's THE hat that goes with everything and effortlessly adds the finishing touch to any outfit. The advantage of this hat is that it can be worn by anyone and with anything, whether with a pretty summer dress or casual attire for going to town.

A "Panama hat" refers to a hat made of straw; slightly colored and finely woven from toquilla palm straw 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's lightness and breathable qualities make it the ideal choice for warm, sunny weather. Therefore, a Panama hat should be in every respectable man's and woman's wardrobe.

Panama Hat Buying Guide

If you're hesitating or want 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 hats with a traditional black band will also be called Panama hats even if they don't originate from Ecuador.

Some tips:

  • Buy from a reputable hat retailer or directly from a hatter. If their business 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 online articles (which we offer just below) or YouTube videos.
  • Buy your hat primarily 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.

Panama Hat Care Guide 

Now that you've acquired a beautiful Panama hat, its longevity will depend on how you wear and maintain it. 

Here are some reminders on how to take care of it:

  • Never grab your Panama hat or straw hat by the crown! We often see many of our customers in the store doing this. However, this is a habit you should absolutely not develop! 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 usually irreparable...
  • Never leave your straw hat on the rear window shelf of your car. Indeed, some drivers find it nice and decorative to leave some hats in the back, however, it's very bad for them! The sun dries out the straw and makes it much more fragile and therefore brittle. Definitely don't do this 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 pool.
  • It may seem logical but we still want to remind you: only roll the models that are meant to be rolled. Indeed, there are 100% foldable panama hats, which makes them very practical, easy to transport, and they regain their initial 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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