Material guide – Panama straw

How the Panama straw hat became famous

Panama straw refers to the fibres obtained from toquilla palm trees, which are used to create Panama hats. The paja toquilla palm grows in Ecuador, where real Panama hats are still made to this day. The assumption that Panama straw comes from Panama is false. Panama was formerly a hub for trading goods between North and South America. The Panama hat was very popular with men working on the Panama Canal and, when US President Theodore Roosevelt visited the construction in 1906, he too wore one of these hats. This led to the incorrect assumption that the hat came from Panama and not from Ecuador.

Hat manufacture

The hats are traditionally made by hand and not in large factories. In order to produce the Panama hat, the palm fibres must be intricately woven by hand. To do this, the leaves of the toquilla palm are cut into very thin strips and dampened, which makes them easy to process and shape. The finer the straw used, the more attractive the braid created and the higher quality the finished Panama hat. The Panama straw is often bleached, but it can also be dyed.

Panama straw, also called toquilla straw, is a very high quality material, which is more flexible than most other types of straw. Thanks to its light weight, it is also particularly comfortable to wear. A practical feature of Panama straw is that it stays clean well in its woven form, as the dirt cannot easily settle on its surface.

Panama straw is a fairly easy-care material, however, some things still need to be considered. The straw is ideal for damp and warm weather conditions. However, it is best to not expose the Panama straw to direct UV radiation for too long, as it can fade or even shrink. Similarly, a Panama hat should not be worn in the rain, as the water seeps into the straw, causing it to lose its shape, which it will not recover when dried out again.

Thanks to its incomparable light weight which makes it incredibly comfortable to wear, hats made from Panama straw are perfect for wearing in warmer temperatures. Panama straw also looks very elegant with its bright, often almost whitish colour, meaning that Panama straw hats are always an excellent choice for both leisure wear and festive occasions.