A Panama hat is not from Panama, and the Smithsonian reports that the handmade straw hat actually originates in Ecuador. Workers on the Panama Canal wore them for the wide brims, and photographs of Theodore Roosevelt inspecting the canal in 1906 helped launch the trend and the name. Here is how to choose a Panama hat that fits and ages well.
Panama Hat: The Ecuadorian Straw Hat With the Wrong Name
A misnomer that stuck
The Smithsonian reports that the handmade straw hat called a Panama hat actually originates in Ecuador. Workers building the Panama Canal wore the Ecuadorian hats for their wide brims and sun protection, and in 1906 President Theodore Roosevelt inspected the canal in a white linen suit and an Ecuadorian hat. Photographs helped launch the fashion trend, and the name stuck. A Panama hat is the best example of a name that outlived its facts.
The weave
A fine weave is lighter and more flexible. A coarse weave is sturdier and more casual. A good hat can be rolled for travel, though a very fine one should be handled gently. Look at the underside to see whether the weave is even. A sweatband inside makes it more comfortable in heat.
Brim and crown
A wide brim shades the face and shoulders. A short brim looks tailored. A pinched crown looks classic, and a flat one looks like a boater. Picture her on a boat deck in a cream Panama hat, a navy shirt and sunglasses, as the light flattens on the water. Measure your head and choose a size that sits just above the ears.
Care and wear
Keep the hat out of rain and store it on its crown. Brush it gently with a soft brush. Wear it with linen, cotton and denim. A band in black, navy or cream changes the mood. A Panama hat looks best slightly tilted.
What I would skip
I would skip a hat that is too stiff to bend and one with a loose weave that snags. A Panama hat should look relaxed, as if it has traveled.
