The Cuenca Panama hat Weavers

The Panama hats are known to accentuate and magnify the personality of the wearers. These straw hats are a remarkable handicraft of the master artisans in Cuenca and Montecristi. The Panama hats are considered by many as a stylist accessory rather as an ordinary hat. The hat production in Cuenca is larger than in Montecristi.

In Cuenca, the Panama hats take less time to weave than a Montecristi hat. A Panama hat usually takes time from a day to months depending on the delicacy of the weaves or the weaver’s skill. If you visit Cuenca, you will see straws lined up in straw market days. Many weavers, especially women are seen busy with their hands weaving the straw into different patterns. This is very common in Cuenca. It is claimed that baby girls are often born with a toquilla straw in their hands. However, it is not known whether that this statement is true or not, but with the everyday scene of the women weaving the straw hats in Cuenca, anyone will believe that.

In Cuenca, hundreds of people depend on the Panama hats for their livelihood. The weaving is quite different from the Montecristi hats. The straws that are used here are mostly thick, and it takes only few days to complete one Panama straw hat. When they complete the weaving, the straw hats are passed down to the hat factories to complete the outer brims. The shapes are also given in the hat factories before shipping out.

Cuenca produces the Panama hats in all quality level. Though, they have less reputation than the Montecristi hats, but they are all straw hats of fine quality. The Cuenca Panama straw hats are produced in large numbers. They keep up the demands of the mass that is increasing day by day, something which the Montecristi hat weavers cannot compete.

Taming the Toquilla Straws

The Panama hats are made from the toquilla straws. These straws are taken from the tropical rain forest wild plant known as Carludovica Palmata. The scientific name was given by two Spanish botanists in the 18th century in honor to the King Charles of Spain (Carlos) and his wife Ludovica. To get the best quality of the straw for weaving the Panama hats, the plant is harvested when the leaves hold less moist. Each stalk has wrapped fingers inside of large multiple leaves. The Panama hats are made from these leaves, but first they have to go through certain procedures to get the straws to weave the Panama straw hats. There are four stages actually to tame the toquilla straw. All these steps are necessary to get the best straw to weave the Ecuador panama hats.

First, you need to get the straw out of the leaves. The stalks of the toquilla plants are opened and the inner tender leaf fingers are separated and split into thin straws. This takes a long time separating the individual strand of leaflets. The leaf fingers have to be split into several thin straws using the hands and bundled.

The next stage is to boil the straws in water for an hour. The straws are carefully submerged and stir constantly in the water so that the strands remain separated. All the straws must be carefully boiled. When it is boiled properly it is taken out to dry.

The Panama hat straws usually need shade for protection. They are not dried directly under the sun. Often straws are hung to dry beneath the houses or under a roof.

When the straws are dry, the next step is to bleach them. The Cuenca and the Montecristi hats differ in the process of bleaching. To make the Montecristi hats, the straws are fumed with sulfur while the Cuenca Panama hats use peroxide. The difference you get is the color of the straws. The Montecristi hats are ivory in color and the Cuenca Panama hats are white. However, the quality of the straw remains high in quality.

Style or Necessity

Why do people wear hats? Is it for fashion or necessity? Some hats are worn for its style while some for its practicality. But, do you know a hat that is worn for both? This is surprising but the Panama hat is famous for its unique styles and usefulness.

Today, the Panama straw hat is a hot trendsetter available in a variety of styles and is wearable with any attire. Celebrities and fashion connoisseurs love to don the Panama hat. You might notice the Panama hats with many famous people in pictures or movies or in fashion ramps.
Back in Ecuador where the Panama hats are woven, the straw hat is not a style thing. In the tropics, the Panama straw hat is a perfect remedy for hot sun. It is light, airy and cools the head while providing shades. People wear the Panama hats for the intense heat, and it gives a distinctive look for both men and women.

The Panama hats are worn by the tourists to the natives in Ecuador. It is almost an obsession for the people who lands in Ecuador to get a Panama straw hat. The elegant patterns, smoothness and softness have made the Panama hat one of the most sought after straw hats in the world. The Panama hat is an elegant protection from the heat and great for any occasions.

Whether you are out for a party, playing golf, smoking a cigar, wearing a guayabera, gardening, watching a horse race, running around the beach you will be protected with style. You can wear it with your casual or classy attire. The Panama straw hats flatter most faces and for traveling, it is very easy. You can just roll them up. The Panama hats exhibit the exemplary fine artistry of the master weavers in Ecuador.

The Ecuador Panama hats are attractive and functional. It allows wearers to enjoy the outdoors with style and without feeling the heat. Get remarkable designs, get protected from the heat and enjoy the attention.

Panama hat-A Hat for the Elites

The legendary ivory colored, light weighted Panama Straw Hat has been the most preferred straw hat of some of the most influential men. Historically, the international politicians and royalties have popularized the trend of wearing the Panama hat. This Straw Hat was worn by the rich and famous right from the olden days and it became a status symbol for men.

The reason why this straw hat became a must-have for the elite is that, it is beautifully and artistically craft from the finest straw. This straw hat is tightly weaved but remarkably, it is very light and airy. When you feel it, it gives you the smoothness of a satin. Not to forget, this straw is one of the most expensive hats in the world. Even though the price seems a little high but no one seem to mind as long they have the Panama hat. Wherever the straw hat went, it made a craze.

During the mid 1800, Napoleon III spread the trend in Europe when he wore a Montecristi Hat. In England the Panama Straw Hats became the most fashionable summer hat, much encourage by the royals. Prince Edward had to part with £90.00 and told his Bond Street hatter to get the finest Panama hat available. The Men's Panama hat during the old era represented a mark of high ranks. The world news photograph showed President Roosevelt hovering on a Panama Canal steam shovel wearing his Panama hat in 1905. That triggered the fashion for these straw hats afterwards.

Even today, the panama straw hat is still Men's Vintage Hats. The Panama hat is now a favorite among the celebrities. Presidents, movie stars, business tycoons all love to wear this straw hat.

Panama Hat Centers

The Panama hats are made in Ecuador and not in Panama. The natives of Ecuador have been mastering the art of weaving the Panama hat from the toquilla straw since 4000 B.C. Ecuador is the only place where the Panama straw hats are produce throughout history. The true name of the Panama hat is Sombrero de Paja Toquilla (toquilla palm hat). This name is known to the Ecuadorian people and to the rest of the world the straw hat is famously known as the Panama hat.

The straw hats were weaved in small villages but in small quantity. However, there were no big productions of the straw hat. After Ecuador got independent from Spain, Manuel Alfaro, an entrepreneur who settled in Montecristi, a little coastal town in the Manabi province, realized the profitable potential of the straw hat. He established a straw-hat production business in 1835. He used his own straw plantations and hired skilled weavers for his hat business. His hat business began to boom and the straw hats were exported to Panama as it was a prime commercial center during the time. He opened hat shops in Panama attracting many buyers that passed by. Manuel Alfaro had made Manabi the hat-producing center but with the demands rising up sky high, the production of Manabí could not meet up the satisfaction.

Since the demands were overflowing and the hat production was going slow in Manabí, Cuenca located in Azuay province soon took over the action. In 1836, a hat factory was opened in Cuenca. However, the sole motive behind this was an attempt to boost the local economy. For this, master weavers were brought in to train the locals who were interested in learning the art. The Panama hat industry in Cuenca became a powerful economic booster for the city of Cuenca. Today the Panama straw hats are produced in large numbers by weavers of Cuenca. These days, they utilized modern methods to finish the Panama straw hats meeting the demands easily.

Heading to US

The Panama hats were famous on its own in Panama, where the straw hats were sold. However, the US contributed a lot in bringing the straw hat into the limelight. It was during 1800s, when the Gold Rush began that the relationship between Panama hat and USA started. People rushed to California crossing the Isthmus of Panama, as that was the easiest way at that time. While passing through Panama, they bought the fine straw hat on the way. Words soon spread about the Panama straw hats in USA. The Panama straw hats were fine, airy and gave the protection they needed from the strong heat. The demands soon started to flow in and Ecuador exported 220.000 hats to California. The international presence of the Panama hats grew enormously after this.

In 1898, during the Spanish American War, the US Government ordered around 50,000 Panama straw hats from Ecuador for protecting the soldiers from the sharp heat of the Caribbean sun. The straw hat was a perfect solution to offer shades for the troops.

It was during the construction of the Panama Canal construction that the popularity of the Panama straw hats took to a new horizon. In 1906 the construction of the Panama Canal started. US workers and engineers arrived in Panama for the canal construction. The Panama hats were crucial for this project as the climate in Panama was hot and humid. Working under the strong heat made the workers to wear the Panama straw hats daily and the finest of the straw hats could hold water to refresh them while they dug the soil. When the then President of USA Theodore Roosevelt came to inspect the Panama Canal construction, the Ecuador Panama hat rose to fame. The picture of Theodore Roosevelt wearing a Panama hat appeared in The New York Times. That triggered the popularity of the Panama straw hat in USA. Though, people mistaken the origin of the Ecuador Panama hat as they didn’t know the straw hat really originated in Ecuador at that time. The name ‘Panama hat’ was stuck but whatever the name was, the hat was welcome in US enormously.

Cuenca Panama hats

Cuenca, in Ecuador is a haven for most historians and cultural buffs. This city is surrounded with narrow cobbled streets, dozens of fine architecture churches, museums, art galleries and red tiled roof houses with ironwork balconies. Cuenca is famous for its colonial architectures, but it is also known for the Panama hats that are sold in great numbers.

The Panama hat weaving business in Cuenca began in 1836, to increase the local economy. For that, the authorities opened a modern hat workshop with several hat-making tools like bleaching powder, hat blocks and toquilla straws brought from the coast plantations. Master weavers from Manabí were brought in and people were trained to weave the straw hats. The hat industry grew up immensely as well as the demands. The development of the hat industry in Cuenca became the most powerful and profitable economic activities.

The Cuenca Panama hats are weaved from a thicker straw and that allows the hat to be complete in just days of weeks. Though, the Cuenca hats have a lesser reputation than the Montecristi Hats, but they are no less when it comes to quality. The Cuenca panama hats are bleached white and most people seem to prefer that color. The Cuenca Panama hats are weaved thicker than the Montecristi hats, but they are still the Ecuador Panama hats. The quality is good and hand weaved by the local artisans. These hats are regarded as affordable of overall good quality.

Next time you are in Cuenca, the Panama hats will be served to be a luxury souvenir. You will find many hat factories selling the genuine Panama hats in affordable prices. You can also have the chance to view the Panama hat being made in arrays of colors. You don’t have to just dream about getting the Panama hat. Make it possible with the Cuenca Panama straw hats.

A Perfect Beach Hat

Going to the beach is great fun but do not forget to take your Panama hat with you. The beach is a great idea to enjoy your day but without the hat, you will as well burn yourself from the heat. A perfect beach hat will be the one that is light, airy and provide you enough shades. For that, the Panama hat is just perfect. The Panama hats are made from the finest straws. With the thin weaving and softness of the straw, the Panama hat will just make your day at the beach. It is light, airy and makes a wonderful beach hat.

There are many Panama hat styles available. All the Panama straw hats are as good as beach hats but few styles are more suitable. All Panama hats are comfortable to wear. With its lightness, you won’t even feel the hat is there. The Panama straw hats are woven very tightly in most cases, but it is airy and keeps your head cool.

For women, the Panama hat style with large brim and small crown is just right. These Women's Panama Hats with brim wide as 7 inch and short crowns are often bought as a beach hat. The large brim provides the perfect shade from the heat on the beach. Often the crowns are laced, which most women prefer. The laced crown Women Panama hats add extra grace to the whole outlook of the straw hat, but it also offers extra ventilation. Push the brim up or down as you like and enjoy your day at the beach. If you don’t like the large brim, the short brim Panama hats are also an ideal choice. Choose the brim that is not that short as you need shades and a short brim will not offer you that.

The choice for the men's beach hats is many. The plantation Panama hat style would be perfect if you want to grab the attention on the beach. Two brim styles for the men’s beach hat are quite popular, the Panama hat with the western style and the pencil-roll Planter brim.

Carry these Panama hats with you next time you go to the beach. You will rather enjoy the attention you get from the onlookers.

A Hat Worn By Princes and Paupers

Hats were worn to identify the status of the person in the past. Aristocrat men preferred to be seen with the most stylist and expensive hats in public. The hats they wore were elaborate to symbolize their powerful role in the society. The natural purpose of wearing a hat that is for protecting against heat was restricted to the lower classes or laborers and these hats were not as stylist or sophisticated as the hats worn by the rich people. In olden days, the hats were an important part of men’s outfit, and it represented their status. However, one hat that was loved by both the royalties and the laborers was the Ecuador Panama hat.

The Panama hats are lightweight, airy, and durable. These great feature suits perfectly for hot climates. During the gold rush, these straw hats were bought by people on the way to California. The workers of the sugar and tobacco plantations in Cuba bought these straw hats, as they were highly comfortable for the hot climate. During the construction of the Panama Canal in early 1900s, workers wore the Ecuador Panama hats for protecting them against the burning sun.

The Panama hat soon became a hat for the royalties when it was taken to Paris by a Frenchman in 1855. It was displayed in the World Fair. It became a fashion sensation in Europe when Napoleon III wore a Montecristi hat and spread the trend to other European countries. Soon the Prince of Wales took fancy of the straw hat and wore one to the races. The Panama hats were a favorite among the royalties. Sweden’s King Gustavus V wore his Panama hat whilst playing tennis.

The Panama straw hats have been adorned by the rich and famous and it was seen on the heads of the poor as well. The straw hat is loved by all no matter how rich and poor they are.

A Hat of Symbol

There have been many chances in the fashion history of hats but the Panama hat seems to be oblivion of this fact. The Panama hat reigned over the hat industry for centuries and hasn’t moved from the vogue till date.

Actually, the straw hat was purchase as a hat of convenience in the olden days. The straw hat was sold in Panama, but it has its origin in Ecuador. At first, the Panama straw hats were bought by workers, mainly for the shade it provided. The straw hat was very light and a perfect remedy for the intense sun. Ecuador exported huge amount of Panama hats each year for the workers.

The Panama Straw Hats, however, became a symbol of status only after it was introduced in Europe. A Frenchman took the straw hat to Paris and exhibited it in World Trade fair of 1855. Then, the Emperor of France was presented the finest Panama straw hat and since then it became the most sought after Straw Hat by the royalties. Soon after the Prince of Wales also became an aficionado of the Panama hat. For obtaining a first class quality Panama hats, exorbitant prices have been paid over the years. Aristocrats loved donning the straw hat, as it was the finest in the hat world.

The symbol of status soon changed during the 20th century. During the Hollywood Golden Age, the popularity of the Panama Hats boomed. Many celebrities popularized the Panama Straw Hats, and soon it became a symbol of style and glamour. Now, panama hats are seen on movies, fashion magazines, ramp and many more. Today people might not wear the Panama hat for their status but more about bringing out their personality. Although the Panama Hat is worn by the royalty, and celebrities, nowadays less expensive and authentic Panama Straw Hats are affordable to ordinary men.

Panama hats moved from a hat of convenience to a symbol of status and now glamour. The Panama hat survived all these years. The only change it has made is the symbol it represents. The straw hat is still the favorite among many. N ow to have this fine straw hat is a dream come true for many hat lovers.