Hat History

Nothing says summer like a glass of Pimms and a Panama Hat be it for Goodwood, Wimbledon or just watching the local cricket team. The Panama has become a style icon worn by the likes of Peter O’Toole and Robert Redford and below we give you some advice on how to choose the perfect Panama for you. The first thing to note about Panama Hats is that they didn’t actually originate in Panama. The hats are made from the plaited leaves of the Torquilla straw plant, grown on large plantations in Ecuador. They became known as Panama hats because in the 19^th and 20^th Centuries they were sent from Ecuador to Panama and from there they were shipped across the globe. We stock three different styles of Panama made by Olney Headwear. Olney have been making handwoven Panama hats in Luton for over a hundred years. They have taken 100% Ecuadorian woven straw and blocked it on lasts over 100 years old in England into a Panama shape.

Which style is for you?

The Panama is said to be the ultimate travelling companion and if you do intend to travel a lot you might want to go for the Olney Folder Brisa Panama (shown above, right). To fold the hat you must:

1. Make sure the brim is turned down
2. You’ll notice the upward crease on the crown which is where you now gently fold it over, essentially folding it in half
3. Roll it into a cone shape with the brim end being slightly wider and, if you have one, tuck it into an Olney Panama Tube. If you’d like a demo of how to fold the hat please ask one of the team in store or call us for a step by step walk through over the phone!
4. Once you unroll it, it pops back into shape.

Our other two styles are classic Panama’s and really come down to personal preference and fit. They are still great for travelling and even if they don’t fold into a tube you can still fill the crown with a t-shirt and pack things around it in your suitcase. Ideally they should be worn a couple of centimetres above the ears and with the brim down at the front and up at the back. A general rule is wide brim suits a larger face so if that’s you, you might want to try the Olney Wide Brim Panama Hat. The Olney Classic Down Brim Panama Hat features a "Megatex" sweatband which wicks moisture away from the skin leaving you cool and dry, perfect for the summer months. It also has a slightly higher crown which some customers prefer.

What size do you need?

To measure your head place a tape measure around your head, slightly above your ears. Compare the measurement with the table below to find your hat size. If you don’t have a tape measure try using a piece of string around your head and then check the length using a ruler.

Measurement	55cm	56cm	57cm	58cm	59cm	60cm	61cm	62cm	63cm
UK Size	6 3/4"	6 7/8"	7	7 1/8"	7 1/4"	7 3/8"	7 1/2"	7 5/8"	7 3/4"

If you buy any of our Panamas online they will be delivered to you in a box unless you purchase the Olney Panama tube to go with the Olney Folder Panama.