Panama Hat Care Guidelines
- Do not get your hat wet. Should it get wet, let it dry in an airy space and reshape it once dried.
- When not in use, store your hat inside the hatbox in a dry, ventilated and cool place.
- Do not leave your hat in an overheated car, as the straw may become brittle and crack.
In this post
How do you keep a Panama hat from cracking?
Prevent cracking by moisturizing
The straw of your Panama hat can become brittle if it is too dry. Similar to leather, toquilla straw needs to be moisturized to extend its life. One way to moisturize your hat is to purchase professional hat cleaner.
Can I fold my Panama hat?
Although Panama hats are flexible and can be rolled without difficulty, they should not be folded, scrunched up or mistreated.
Should you store hats upside down?
For the hat to retain its structure, when storing, it’s best to be flipped back up. This rule is useful whether you are storing the hat in the box or not. Having the brim rolled back up is the only way to prevent it from warping into a strange shape.
Can a Panama hat get wet?
We recommend never wearing your Panama in the rain. The straw can absorb a small about of moisture, and this won’t damage the material itself, but prolonged dampness can make it fall out of shape. Your hat can most likely be re-blocked if this happens, but prevention is always better than a cure.
How do you care for a real Panama hat?
Panama hats are easy to clean. Wipe down the hat with a soft, lint-free, tightly-woven cloth (to prevent catching or snagging). You may also try a moist facial or baby wipe. If your hat still isn’t as clean as you’d like, a small amount of mild soap and water should do the trick.
Do all Panama hats roll up?
Caring for Your Panama
Contrary to myth, however, not all Panama hat shapes are suitable for rolling! The ideal shape for rolling is the Folder Panama (Colonial), due to the ridge along the centre of the crown which lends itself well to rolling up.
Do Panama hats last?
Buy the best quality authentic Panama hat you can afford, as it will last you for years if properly cared for.
How do you store hats without ruining them?
When storing your hat on a shelf, it’s important to flip the hat upside down and store it on its crown, not its brim. Storing your hat on its brim for a long period will put pressure on the brim causing it to change from its original shape.
Do I need a hat box?
Storing the hat in a box will protect it from dust, sun exposure and it will also protect the shape. Storing incorrectly can cause the brim to become warped, the crown can become crushed. Once a hat loses it’s shape, it can be extremely difficult to get it back to it’s original condition.
Should you hang your hats?
Hanging your hat on a coat rack or a hat rack can be an okay way to store it temporarily. However, don’t plan on storing a hat this way for a long time. When a hat is hung on a hook, gravity will pull it down over time and distort the shape.
Where are the best Panama hats made?
Montecristi, Ecuador
Today, the legendary genuine Panama hat continues to be made of toquilla palm, and the very finest Panama hats are hand-crafted by artisans in the small town of Montecristi, Ecuador.
What is special about Panama hats?
The quality of a Panama hat is defined by the tightness of the weave. The fine weave of the hat was ideal for protection against the tropical sun.
What do you wear with a Panama hat?
The great thing about the Panama hat is that most can be worn with anything. It will embrace both a sophisticated Riviera style with a linen suit and cream buckskin shoes as well as a very casual beach look complete with swim shorts and a Hawaiian shirt.
How do you keep a straw hat from cracking?
Store Your Hat in a Cool, Dry Place
Extreme heat will crack and dry out the fibers, and the hat will end up looking frayed. Store your hat in a place where it’s cool and won’t get dirty. Putting it on the top shelf of a dark, dry closet or hanging it on a hook are both good ideas.
What are genuine Panama hats made of?
The Panama hat is made from toquilla straw
Toquilla straw comes from the leaves of the toquilla palm, whose scientific name is “carludovica palmata”. The plant is grown on the Ecuadorian coast, mainly in the province of Manabí.
How long do straw hats last?
How long will my hat last? Straw hats, cloth hats, leather & wool hats are meant to be replaced annually or every few years if worn on a daily basis. High quality felt hats properly cared for can last for many many years. 10.
How do you get sweat stains out of a Panama hat?
Wipe away sweat stains with a cloth like a microfiber cloth, damped with water and a little dish soap. If the stain persists, use a soft-bristled brush and a mixture of 1/4-cup hydrogen peroxide and 1/4-cup warm water. Dip your brush in the solution and scrub the stain.
Can you pack a straw hat in a suitcase?
“Fill the crown with underwear or socks, place the hat in the suitcase, and then pack other soft clothing around the brim so the hat does not get squashed,” New York milliner Albertus Swanepoel suggests.
Can I fold my straw hat?
Fold the hat in half lengthwise. This will cause the least amount of pressure on the crown and brim of the hat. Our packable straw hats are foldable, not crushable. If you apply too much pressure on the hat, it will crush the hat and create permanent folds.
What are the grades of Panama hats?
Usually, the vertical count is one or two more waves, and it also depends of the place of the crown you are counting, therefore, the grade of a Panama Hat will be (6-8 WPI), (10-12 WPI), (12-14 WPI), (14-16 WPI), (16-18 WPI) and so on.