Panama Hats

History 

Although commonly called "Panama hat" in English, the hat has its origin in Ecuador. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Ecuador in 1526, the inhabitants of its coastal areas were observed to wear a brimless hat that resembled a toque, which was woven from the fibres from a palm tree that the Spaniands came to call paja toquilla or "toquilla straw".^[3] Beginning in the early to mid 1600s, hat weaving evolved as a cottage industry along the Ecuadorian coast as well as in small towns throughout the Andean mountain range. Hat weaving and wearing grew steadily in Ecuador through the 17th and 18th centuries.

The hat displayed is by Failsworth and sold by www.Gr8hats.co.uk

Manufacture

Panama hats are traditionally made from the leaves of the toquilla palm plant, which is native to Ecuador. The process begins by harvesting the young leaves of the plant. These leaves are then boiled to soften them, making them easier to work with. After boiling, the leaves are dried and split into thin strips.

The next step involves weaving the strips together to form the hat's crown and brim. This intricate weaving process is done by skilled artisans who use their hands and simple tools to create the desired shape and pattern. The weaving technique used is known as "toquilla straw weaving."

Once the weaving is complete, the hat is then bleached to achieve its characteristic light colour. After bleaching, the hat is shaped and blocked using steam and moulds to give it its final shape. The brim is often shaped by hand to achieve the desired curve or style.

Finally, the hat is trimmed and finished with a band or ribbon around the base of the crown. The entire process requires precision and craftsmanship to create a high-quality Panama hat.

It's important to note that despite their name, Panama hats are actually made in Ecuador, not Panama. The name "Panama hat" originated from the fact that these hats were popularized during the construction of the Panama Canal in the early 20th century, where they were worn by workers and later became associated with the region.