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.