History
A genuine Panama Hat, must be handmade in Ecuador, woven and crafted by skilled artisans, all others are considered imitations. The artistry and hand-weaving techniques employed to craft a genuine toquilla hat are traced back to pre-Columbian times. In the 16th century when the Spanish arrived to Ecuador, they recognized that the local inhabitants wore a very distinctive straw hat. Over the next 200 years, the master weavers slowly refined the hats to what we now know today as Panama Hat.
In the 1800’s, businessmen from around the world sought the toquilla hat for its sophistication and lightweight structure. In those days, most South American goods traveled through Panama as a commercial destination to connect the North American, European and Asian markets. Mistakenly, the toquilla hats were called ‘Panama Hats’, making reference to its point of export rather than its origin.
In 1906, U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, was photographed wearing the attractive toquilla hat during his visit to the Panama Canal construction contributing to its popularity back then and today. Shortly after, many celebrities and public figures started wearing the genuine Panama Hat and recognizing their unique qualities of breathability, lightweight and flexibility.