Panama hat: Difference between revisions
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Glorified during the 19<sup>th</sup> century, the panama has since been considered the prince of [[straw hat]]s. Ecuadorian national hero and emblematic figure, [[Eloy Alfaro]] helped finance his liberal revolution of Ecuador through the export of panamas. The reputation of the hat was established by Napoleon III, Edward VII, and some other aficionados. |
Glorified during the 19<sup>th</sup> century, the panama has since been considered the prince of [[straw hat]]s. Ecuadorian national hero and emblematic figure, [[Eloy Alfaro]] helped finance his liberal revolution of Ecuador through the export of panamas. The reputation of the hat was established by Napoleon III, Edward VII, and some other aficionados. |
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== Name == |
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It was called [[Jipijapa|''jipijapa'']], from the name of a palm tree from the leaves of which the hats are sometimes made or ''montecristi'', a name it still goes by among the specialists of quality panamas. The ''jipijapa'' or ''montecristi'' has also been called ''toquilla'', a name derived from the name of the hats that the Spaniards wore at the time of the conquest. Toquilla is also the name of the palm from which the hats are made. |
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== Popularity and culture == |
== Popularity and culture == |
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Revision as of 12:56, 22 December 2007
A Panama hat or just Panama is a traditional brimmed hat that is made from the plaited leaves of the panama-hat palm (Carludovica palmata). More information may be found here http://www.andean-art.com Despite the name, genuine Panama hats are made in Ecuador, not Panama. The origin of the name is uncertain. According to legend, the hat became associated with Panama during the construction of the Panama Canal in the early twentieth century. However, the Oxford English Dictionary cites a use of the term as early as 1834.[1] When Teddy Roosevelt visited the Canal, he wore such a hat, which increased its popularity.
The Ecuadorian town of Cuenca is the main producer; however, the town of Montecristi has the reputation of producing the finest quality hats.
Glorified during the 19th century, the panama has since been considered the prince of straw hats. Ecuadorian national hero and emblematic figure, Eloy Alfaro helped finance his liberal revolution of Ecuador through the export of panamas. The reputation of the hat was established by Napoleon III, Edward VII, and some other aficionados.
Popularity and culture
Panama hats are often seen as accessories to summer weight suits, such as linen or silk. Beginning around the turn of the century, panamas began to be associated with the seaside and tropical locales, such as Brighton or the Caribbean. They are usually preferred over felt hats in such climates for they are light coloured, light weight, and breathable.
Beginning in the late 1960s, hats in general were worn less often. However, the panama seems to be one of the few hats to survive the tests of time. Men can still be seen sporting a panama in the tropics. It is, by no means, as popular as it was during the golden age of hats, but it is still surviving. As a matter of fact, well founded hat companies, such as Dobbs, Stetson and Cavanaugh, now produce more panama styled hats than felt hats, such as fedoras or bowlers.
In televison, the Panama was worn by the 5th Doctor, Peter Davison in the long-running British sc-fi show, Doctor Who.
Quality
Panama hat quality is a heavily disputed subject. There are two main processes in the hat's creation: weaving and blocking. The best way to gauge the quality of the weave is to count the number of weaves per square inch. Fewer than 100 would be considered low quality.[citation needed] There are many degrees of increasing quality, up to the rarest and most expensive hats, which can have as many as 1600-2000 weaves per square inch[citation needed]; it is not unheard of for these hats to sell for thousands of dollars apiece.
The quality of the weave itself, however, is more important. A high weave count, even an attractive-looking one, does not guarantee a well-woven hat. It is said that a Panama of true quality can hold water and can be folded for storage without damage.
Even though the panama continues to provide a livelihood for thousands of Ecuadorians, fewer than a dozen weavers capable of making the finest "montecristi superfinos" remain; the UK's Financial Times Magazine (Jan. 2007) recently reported that there may not be more than 15-20 years remaining for the industry in Ecuador, due to the competition of paper-based Chinese-made imitations.
Notes
- ^ OED, Third edition. Another reference appeared two years earlier in the short story, "The Pirate," published in the January 7, 1832, issue of The Philadelphia Album and Ladies' Literary Portfolio: "His dress consisted of short cotton drawers...and an enormously large Panama hat, made of a sort of cane, split small, and worn shovel fashion.