CARING FOR YOUR PANAMA HAT FOR THE SUMMER: OUR ADVICE

Originally indigenous headdresses in Ecuador, paja toquilla hats have endured through the ages thanks to their timeless style. Their popularity became global in the late 19th century with the construction of the Panama Canal—hence their misleading name, "Panama hat," popularized by Roosevelt.

Panama hats are made from the leaves of the Carludovica Palmata palm tree, a plant native to Ecuador . This hand-woven hat, woven over several weeks or even months, requires regular care if you want to keep it for a lifetime!

Between strong sun, wind, dust or worse, rain, here are some tips to keep your panama looking its best.

How to handle your panama?

In everyday life, it is advisable to hold it by the edges and not to pinch the cap, to avoid breaking the straw.

It can be stored in a fabric cover, a box or flat on a shelf.

How to maintain your Panama hat?

To maintain a semblance of the humid Ecuadorian climate to which the straw is accustomed, it is necessary to occasionally moisten it with a misting spray.

It is advisable not to leave it behind a window (for example in the back of a car) when it is sunny: the heat will dry out the strands of straw and make it brittle.

Also, be careful not to let sweat stains set into the straw after use. If this happens, use a white cotton cloth, mild soap, or ammonia. An eraser can also remove lighter stains.

For heavy stains, you can use a baby wipe, but never water or alcohol on your panama.

If the hat gets wet, let it sit in the shade until the moisture wicks away and the desired shape is reached. Avoid a radiator, which will damage the straw of your Panama hat!

How to transport your panama?

When traveling, you can wear your hat and place it in the appropriate compartments on the train or plane.

If you want to store it, a hat box or a cover will be ideal to best protect your panama.

If you want to carry it in your suitcase, you should fill the crown with small items of clothing, lay the hat flat and arrange your clothes around it, which will prevent it from being crushed.

What should I do if my panama is deformed?

Please come back to the store to drop off your hat and the Workshop can make a diagnosis and a fitness proposal, if possible.