The world’s most beautiful, lightweight yet robust straw hats have been called Panama hats since the early 19th century, when Panama was a major hub for crossing the Americas. Many goods, including straw hats, were bought and sold by travellers to Panama. However, Panama hats were never made in Panama because that country does not have any history of farming Toquilla Palm trees. In fact, Panama hats have always been made in the countries of Central and South America, primarily in Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia and Guatemala, in which the Toquilla Palm can be found. The leaves are dried and then, using centuries-old techniques, woven into straw which, in the most exquisite examples, has the texture of fine linen. In the early 1900s, having been re-styled in Paris and subsequently marketed for extremely high prices, the finest of all Panama hats, made by weavers in Montecristi, Ecuador, took the NewYork fashion world by storm and never looked back.
Wearing a great Panama hat will make you feel like the most stylish person in the room, on the beach or downtown. It will adapt itself to your personality and cope with all kinds of conditions. Keep it gently humidified and it will last a lifetime.
