¿De donde son los famosos Panama Hats o Sombreros de Panamá?

Esta es una pregunta que la he visto en el famoso juego de mesa “Trivia Persuit” y en el famoso programa de televisión “Quien quiere ser millonario”. El nombre le diría a uno que obviamente los Sombreros de Panamá son de Panamá, pero en realidad estos sombreros son exclusivamente elaborados en el Ecuador. Los sombreros panamá o sombreros de paja toquilla como también se los conoce han sido siempre elaborados a mano por artesanos de los pueblitos de Montecristi en las costas de Manabí en Ecuador y utilizan una paja sumamente fina y delgada, llamada paja toquilla que crece únicamente en esta región del mundo.

La historia del nombre comenzó cuando un empresario ecuatoriano llamado Manuel Alfaro y quien tenía plantaciones propias en Montecristi, decidió en 1835 contratar a varios tejedores experimentados y construir un negocio de sombreros. Su negocio prosperó rápidamente y al ver que el mercado ecuatoriano era limitado decidió expandir su negocio exportando sombreros de paja a Panamá ya que este país se estaba convirtiendo en un importante centro para el negocio. Poco después abrió tiendas en Panamá que atrajeron la atención de muchos clientes de todo el mundo que pasaban por Panamá que en ese entonces ya era un gran puerto de comercio.

Eloy Alfaro, hijo de Manuel Alfaro y posterior Presidente del Ecuador, tomó el negocio familiar y a inicios de los 1900, Ecuador pasó a exportar miles de sombreros a Panamá, aprovechando que en esos años se estaba construyendo el Canal de Panamá y había muchos trabajadores e ingenieros estadounidenses que requerían protegerse del sol. El sombrero entonces fue bautizado por todos los extranjeros en Panamá como Panama Hat o Sombrero Panamá ya que fue allí donde lo compraban. La popularidad creció en todo el mundo cuando la prensa mundial publicó una foto del Presidente Theodore Roosevelt usando un sombrero Montecristi durante su visita al canal.

Lo cierto es que desde entonces este lindo sombrero de Montecristi que quizás debió haberse llamado así, ahora se lo conoce como Sombrero Panamá.

El Sombero Panamá tiene más de 6000 años de antiguedad!!

El sombrero de paja toquilla, aunque es dificil de creerlo, es usado mucho antes de la conquista española. Resulta que cuando llegaron los conquistadores españoles al Ecuador en el siglo 16 ellos pudieron ver que los nativos usaban unos gorros tejidos de una paja muy fina y ligera que cubrian la cabeza, orejas y cuello. Los españoles encontraron que este gorro se parecía a las "Tocas" que en esa epoca se usaba en Europa, una especie de sombrero o manta que cubría la cabaza como el que usan las monjas y con cierto parecido al de los faraones egipcios. Por este motivo este tipo de sombrero fue bautizado por los españoles como "Toquillas" y la paja con la que se tejía como "Paja Toquilla". Por cierto este tipo de paja, crece solamente en las cercanías de la costa ecuatoriana, entre 100 y 400 metros sobre el nivel del mar.

En la modernidad se ha podido comprobar los relatos de los españoles ya que se han encontrado restos arqueológicos de figurines humanos de cerámica en las que se aprecia el uso de estas "Toquillas". En las pruebas del carbono 14, figurines de la cultura de Valdivia, datan hasta del año 4000 antes de cristo!!!


A los españoles les gusto mucho este tipo de sombrero y comenzaron a usarlos y pronto usaron a tejedores locales para tejer sombreros de paja toquilla con modelos europeos. Así nacio el sombrero de paja toquilla moderno o como se lo conoce alrededor del mundo como Panama Hat o Sombrero Panamá.

Bien, si el sombrero tiene origenes ecuatorianos desde el año 4000 AC, entonces, ¿porqué se lo conoce como Sombrero de Panamá? Esta es otra historia en la que me extenderé en otro artículo pero en resumen fue porque un empresario ecuatoriano comenzó a comercializarlos en Panamá donde se estaba construyendo el actual canal y como había muchos americanos, entonces ellos los bautizaron como "Panama Hat" pués creyeron que el sombrero era originario de Panamá.

Women’s Hat

Women’s hats were largely associated with elite classes before the 20th century. Hats were not worn for its functionality practically during those times. Rather, it was for showing off their status and procession. Most of their hats were adorned with feathers, jewels, and exotic fabrics. For upper class women, being fashionable was much important than anything.

Today, the adorning hats with jewels, feathers or metals seem to cease a bit. Now this kind of decoration is limited for cocktail parties, racing events and weddings. Now, women are more practical regarding the use of hats today. There are not far behind their male counterpart regarding the use of hats in the fashion industry. Most of the women’s hats are still adorned with creative design to exude a sophisticated style.

Today the women's fashion hats can range from simple berets, rib knits hats, felted hats, cloche hats, beanies, baker boy caps, Panama hat and trilby hats.

Panama hats

Women’s straw hats are mainly made from materials like toquilla straw, twisted grass, coberg, shantung, raffia, vegetable fibers and Milan. The Women's Panama Hats are the most famous among the straw hats. Panama hats are known for its popularity among the hat lovers. The Panama hats are made from the toquilla straw found in Ecuador. Most women’s Panama hats are weaved with a laced crown and wide brim. Even today, the Panama straw gives a stunning and elegant look when it is worn. The Panama straw hats are finely handmade taking months to complete and it can last ages if taken great care.

Trilby Hats

The Trilby gained quite a status as the hat of choice when it supplanted stiffer styles in the 1920s. Now the trilby is made from a wide range of materials from angora to classic wool checks. The style is much loved among today’s women.

Berets

The berets are worn by almost all women. The beret is simple yet gives a fashionable style. It comes in multitudes of colors. The crown is round but it is typically pushed to one side.

Straw Handcrafts in Manabi

Manabi is famous for its straw handicrafts and the most famous of all of them is the Panama hat. The Panama hat is the widely and most popular purchased souvenirs from Ecuador. The Manabi inhabitants have been hand weaving the straw hats for years, and they are truly master weavers. The toquilla palm straws are widely used in Manabi region to weave the Panama hats. Way before the discovery of America by Columbus, pre-Hispanic cultures in Manabi used to weave straw headgear to protect against the heat.

Manabi lies on the northernmost province of Ecuador. It is also well known for its fauna and flora. The town of Montecristi is the home of the famous Panama hat, “Montecristi hat”. Montecristi is where many master artisans live weaving the famous Montecristi hats. Several people in this region have dedicated their lives weaving the Panama straw hats.

The Montecristi Hats are regarded the finest Panama straw hats in the world where people around the world eagerly seek to lay its hand on it. This Panama hat from the Manabi region is the most expensive straw hats. The weaves are so fine that is as supple and soft as silk. The straw hats are also smooth and light as a feather. The Panama hats are also weaved in Cuenca but quality wise the Montecristi hats are more superior. The Cuenca hats are quality straw hats however, the Montecristi hats are still well known for its finer quality weave.

The Panama hat is the famous straw handicraft of the Manabi region, but there are also many other handicrafts that are made out from the toquilla palm straw. The toquilla straws are not confined in making the Panama hats only. You will find baskets, carpets, handbags, bracelets, toys and much more. Next time you are in Manabi, you can pick up many straw handicrafts as a souvenir but don’t forget to pick one Panama straw hats as this is perhaps the most wonderful straw handicraft in the country.

Prince Charles in Ecuador

Prince Charles tour in Ecuador could not be complete without the famous Panama straw hat. The Panama hats are the trademark of Ecuador. This famous straw hat has been a favorite among many princes.

The Ecuador tour was a part of the Latin American tour to promote the energy efficiency and measures to fight climate change in the world. Prince Charles with his wife, Camilla flew to the capital Quito for a brief meeting with the senior government officials.

While arriving in the capital Quito, the Princes and the Duchess explored the place, the first capital city to be elected as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The duo won the heart of the people there who have been eagerly waiting for a glimpse of their favorite prince. They tour of the historic building of Compania of Jesus, a 17th century church with the mayor. He was presented a Panama straw hat, famous in the region. Although the hat is named after the Panama City but the origin has always been in Ecuador where many weavers still hand make the straw hat. Well, the Prince did wear the famous Panama hat almost in his entire tour but he is already an aficionado of this famous hat from before. He is of course also the most best dressed man in the world. Prince Charles always dons his clothes with an air of dressed-up confidence.

The Prince thereafter left Quito for the Galapagos Island for a two days tour. The Prince of Wales along with is his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, toured the Galapagos Islands before ending their Ecuador tour. Seen mostly in a light double-breasted linen suit and his Panama hat that protected him from the strong equatorial sun, the Prince tour the unique island admiring the wildlife preserved there. The Panama hat did become a great help from the 95-degree midday heat he faced on the island.

Popular Hats for Men and Women

Hats have been a popular style accessory in today’s modern world. You can wear it in parties, beaches, disc or just shopping. Some of the most popular hats with men and women are the felt, woolen, velvet and straw hats.

Summer

For summer, the most popular hats among men and women are the straw hats. In hot climates, the straw hats being light and airy offer a convenient shade from the heat. The most famous straw hat is of course the Panama hats. This is a light, smooth and airy straw hat made from the toquilla palm leaves. The toquilla is a special straw that makes the Panama straw hat light as a feather, fresh and stylish for any attire. Do not get carried out by the name ‘Panama’ hat. Many people believe that the Panama straw hats are from Panama City. Well much to their disappointment they are not. Panama straw hats are hand made exclusively in Ecuador.

The Fedora model in Panama hat is a favorite among men. These hats are most commonly seen on actors and singers attending parties or award functions. It gives an tropical and at the same time elegant look to men.

Felt hats are also a preferred among men. Not as These felt hats are most commonly seen on actors and singers attending parties or award functions. It gives an adventurous look so it is famously preferred by men.

Felt is a non-woven cloth that is produced by matting, condensing and pressing fibers. Not as fresh and light as the Panama hat, the Felt hats offer a variety of color that can be suited for any type of clothing.

The cocktail hats are a much for women to attend evening parties. They are brimless, perched forward on the head that often tilt over the eye with a veil. The cocktail parties are adorned on the head for special holiday parties, weddings, luncheons, horse race, afternoon teas or any special occasion.

Winter

For winter, the woolen beret and bucket hats are most popular with the women. The winter hats are most made of wool, fake fur, velvet, suede and much more. Since it is for protecting the head from the cool weather, hats in winter often cover the ears. For comfort and fashion wide brims are favored during this time otherwise the beret and bucket hat styles are common. The fake fur roller hats are common in harsh winter climates. While the bomber hats are a must have for men.

Panama Hats-More than Just Headgear

Whether you are out on a dinner party, at the beach or on a meeting, the Panama hat is just the thing to complement your whole attire. This straw hat became famous overnight when it was seen on the head of President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. Even before that, the Panama straw hats were famous for its unique trait.

The Panama hat has been widely recognized in the world for its unique characteristics and experts believe that it is the finest of hats in the world. The outstanding quality of the Panama hat has outshone other hats in competition, and it has stood unbeatable for centuries. The Panama straw hat has a strong legacy, and it dates back to 4000 B.C.

The Panama hats have its origin in Ecuador. The Incas were the first who wore straw hats that are made of the same material of today’s Panama straw hats. The Spanish who came in Ecuador made a significant improvement on the hat design and started wearing it. The Panama hat is the perfect remedy of the hot climate, and it offers shelters from the sun and even repels light rain.

Since people started discovering the light straw hat, many became a huge fan. The straw hat has been adorned by many people rich or poor through centuries. Often hats were a symbol that tells the status of the wearer in the society. However, the Panama straw hats had been worn by many people regardless of the class and status.

This straw hat has been on the limelight of the hat world, and today it continues to endure and fit properly in the modern fashion world. Even in this modernized world, the Panama hat still maintains its purpose to provide shelter and crown in the people’s head. In this hat world, the Panama straw hat will rule oblivion to the time, style and changing fashion.

Panama Golf Hats

Princes loved it, actors adore it, workers need it and now golfers popularly don the Panama hats while playing their game. This wonderful straw Panama hat has adorned the heads of some of the greatest golfers and been a favorite among many golfers as well. Hats play an important part in golf. Golf is a summer game and players would definitely want to protect themselves from the heat of the sun.

The straw hats were popularized by the famous golfer Sam Snead and later on by Greg Norman. Sam Snead, the legendary golfer who won sanctioned tournaments for six decades was famous for his straw hats. With the straw hats making ways into the gold world, the Panama hat being the prince of straw hats would be the first choice of many golfers.

The Panama hats actually make a great golf hat. Panama straw hats are light and airy. It has been used by many people from centuries to protect against the heated sun. Since the Panama hats can be modified into any style, it can be well suited according to the taste of the golfers. The number one priority of the golfers is to protect their head, neck and ear tops. The open weave Panama straw hats are the favorite among many golfers. The open weave in the crown lets the breeze to go right through the head and the wide brim protects the neck and ears. However, caps are a trendy choice with many golfers, but it does leave you with tan ear tops. The Panama straw hats make sure the wearer is well protected.

The Panama straw-hat structure appeals to any golfers. It is light, airy, protects from the sun and of course it is trendy. If you off to play golf then, get a Panama hat and swing into action.

Optimo Panama Hat

Summer is the season for straw hats and the best you can get is the Panama straw hat. The Panama straw hat has been ruling the hat industry for ages and much-admired as the ‘Prince of Straw Hat’.

There are many Panama hat styles. The unfinished Panama straw hats can be blocked into different styles. The Optimo Panama hat is perhaps one of the classic styles you can ever find. Known as Colonial or also as Natural in Ecuador, the Optimo Panama straw hat is the number choice for travelers. The fact that the Optimo Panama hats can be rolled up to carry while traveling makes it a favorite among them. The Optimo was highly popular during the 18th and 19th century. This Panama straw hat style may have lessened in terms of its demand, but it remains a classic Panama hat style. The classic Optimo Panama hat style is wearable with any wardrobe.

The Optimo Panama hat has a distinctive center ridge, full blocked crown and a narrow lengthwise ridge. The shape of the Optimo Panama straw hats was an outcome of a natural consequence when people started rolling their unblocked Panama hats. When they unrolled it, a center ridge is created. The round topped of the Optimo Panama hat is a classic version, which can be folded and fit perfectly for traveling.

The Optimo hat was used by the British Empire during their conquest in Asia, therefore it is also known as Colonial Panama Hat. Still today, this model is very popular in the UK.

The Optimo Panama hat style is famously associated with many Hollywood actors and films. You can see this Panama straw hat in the Charlie Chan movie series, Peter O’Toole in ‘The Last Emperor’, Sean Connery in ‘The Man Who Would Be King’ and Just Cause, Paul Newman in Mr. & Mrs. Bridge, Sidney Greenstreet in ‘Casablanca’ and Gregory Peck in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. That would ring a bell on how the Optimo Panama hat would look like. If you want a perfect straw hat to go with you all the time then, the Optimo Panama hat is just the ideal choice.

Men Dress Hats

A hat and a suit are the two most stylist combination when it comes to men’s fashion. No matter what, this classic combination always works with men. Men dress hat always compliments a suit. Whether it is a casual or formal suit, donning a hat will complete your whole attire. The 1960s saw the popularity of men's dress hats. It performed the role that indicates social distinctions among men. From presidents, actors, singers and entrepreneur donned various dress hats daily. It was an important part of every man’s wardrobe and no men was hatless. A dress hat was a mark of cool sophistication and confidence.

Some popular men’s dress hats

Panama hats

This prince of straw hats is the most popular men’s dress hat from ages. This is one straw hat that remains intact in terms of its popularity. The Panama straw is a summer hat well suited with light colored suits. This straw hat comes with many styles and they last for ages if you take care of them properly. No other straw hats come close when it comes to style, fineness, smoothness and lightness of the Panama straw hat. Panama hats have always been the favorite men’s dress hat. A traditional Panama hat comes with a black ribbon around the brim.

Fedora

Taken as one of the most stylist dress hats, the Fedora is one of the favorable choices of many men as a dress hat. This hat has a teardrop shaped crown with a nip on both sides.

Trilby

Trilby is a narrow brimmed hat with a deeply indented crown and a pinch at the front. The famous personality that is associated with trilby is Frank Sinatra. Many imitated Frank Sinatra’s trilby hat with a suit. It sure did the trick.

The Homburg

This hat stiff felt hat has a fold along the length of the crown and there are no pinches. Remember the movie, ‘Godfather Hat’. The homburg is now very famous with the Rock or Rapper personalities.