Panama, raffia, paper straw... What are the differences?

Essential for summer, the straw hat comes in a multitude of shapes and styles: light and comfortable to wear, it's the must-have seasonal accessory that you absolutely need in your wardrobe. But which straw is right for you? Raffia, paper, panama... What are the differences between these natural fibers and how to recognize them? We explain everything.

Paper straw

Made of paper manufactured from previously cooked straw, the paper hat offers great flexibility and a soft texture. Very comfortable to wear and malleable, it's a hat at a very affordable price. For a casual style at a low price, it's a good compromise between style, budget, and comfort.There are many models, dyed in all colors and available in all shapes.

Raffia

Flexible and resistant, raffia is obtained from the palm leaves of the Raphia ruffia. The weaving is less fine and more visible, which gives it a perfect style for relaxed sunny vacations. Malleable, it's also a less fragile straw that can therefore accompany you safely on vacation. A hat to favor if you want a solid, trendy, and affordable model.

Traditional straw 

Rigid and solid, it has a thick fiber that offers good resistance to the hat. However, its composition does not allow it to be foldable, so you get a hat without flexibility, but light and casual for sunny days. Natural straw is also the choice of an authentic and rustic style in all circumstances. You can find dyed models, but you can choose it natural for a nice golden color.

Panama

The cream of summer hats: elegant and high-end, the panama is a natural fiber that comes from the Paja toquilla palm. Hand-woven, most often in Ecuador, a panama hat is the result of long hours of work, patience, and real ancestral know-how. Panama hats need to be maintained carefully, due to their fragile composition which can easily break. They are nevertheless, and without any doubt, the straw hats that offer the most beautiful elegance. Sometimes colored, panama hats are however generally bleached

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You are now ready to choose the headwear that suits you. To find the hat you need, don't hesitate to visit the Traclet online store to browse our special panama category as well as the straw hats category!