The Panama hat: 5 fascinating facts about this classic item of headwear

The Panama (also called ‘jipijapa’ in Spanish) is a classic hat the world over and one that has a long tradition. Originally hailing from Ecuador, this hat doesn’t just provide optimum protection from the sun. It’s also believed to bring good luck, as well as being the hallmark of many a legendary figure and even the declared favorite of a US president. Whether you’re sitting on a wooden veranda in the tropics, watching an English rowing regatta or relaxing in a hammock in the wilds, the Panama is a hat that never goes out of fashion. Stylight has five little-known, but interesting facts to reveal about the Panama hat.

1. A charming classic always on trend!

The name ‘Panama hat’ actually bears no relation to the country of origin. The story goes that US President Theodore Roosevelt wore a straw hat while visiting the construction site of the Panama Canal in 1906. It was this event that marked the birth of the term ‘Panama hat’.

2. Often the sign of a great mind

In previous times, this type of straw hat was the hallmark of the intellectual elite, including the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Winston Churchill and Thomas Mann, as well as being symbolic of the upper classes and their penchant for idling their time away in the sun. The most famous wearers of the Panama hat include Harry S. Truman and Paul Newman.

3. Bedecked with palms

What makes the classic Panama hat so special is the material from which it is made: Toquilla, the fibers of a special type of palm which only grows in Ecuador. The palm straw develops its distinctive light color through being “roasted” over burning sulfur.

4. Put on your lucky hat!

During the 2006 Soccer World Cup, Ecuador’s Minister for Tourism arranged for 30,000 Panama hats to be flown to Berlin for the Ecuadoran fans in the hope of bringing good luck in the match against Germany.

5. How to look after this cult hat

In its country of origin, a good Panama hat can be rolled up and transported in a box without suffering any harm to its shape. Unfortunately, this is not the case in Europe, where the straw fibers would be damaged due to the lower humidity levels. While wearing the hat, it’s also important not to press too firmly against the sides, as otherwise the fibers are prone to break.

A Panama hat is the classic, elegant summer accessory offering protection from the sun for both sexes. Even today, its casual style lends men an irresistible Humphrey Bogart charm. Here’s looking at you kid!