The fabulous Panama: cool, lightweight, long wearing and
ideally suited to our climate.
In the early 1900’s workers building the Panama Canal
wore them for protection against the burning sun but when
US President Roosevelt visited the construction site in 1906
he was photographed wearing one.
1906 US President Roosevelt at Panama Canal
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Weaver
From there, the hat was taken to Europe where it became a
fashion sensation when King Gustavus V of Sweden wore one
whilst playing tennis at Monte Carlo and the Prince of Wales
wore one to the races. |
The genuine “Panama” is hand woven from the
fibre of the Toquilla palm by the Indians of Equador and today
only a dozen or so weavers remain capable of making the finest
straw hat of them all – the fabulous Montecristi superfino.
Because they are so rare there is a waiting period for them.
They come with a stamped balsa wood box and are rolled inside
when not in use – perfect for travelling.
Today you’ll still see panamas on the heads of the
rich and famous, on the heads of the poor and the prosperous,
and on the heads of state.
The Hat Box stocks a wide range of ladies’ panamas
in a variety of styles and colours including pastels. Also
available men’s panamas most trimmed with the traditional
black petersham ribbon to commemorate the death of Queen Victoria
in 1901. |
Panama in balsa box
Clockwise from top left, man's planter, super fino and woman
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