How to Care for Your Panama Hat

How to care for your Panama Hat - Truffaux Hatmakers

How to Care for a Panama Hat: Cleaning, Storing and Keeping It Supple for Life

The Panama hat is a handwoven work of art. Crafted in the homes of Ecuadorian master hatmakers, it will last a lifetime if cared for properly. Much like a linen suit or fine Italian shoes, a Panama is made to be worn. It will age elegantly, producing a patina that tells the story of the places you have been.

Here is everything I tell customers about looking after a Panama hat.

Panama Hats Like a Little Moisture

Toquilla straw is porous, so it absorbs moisture from your head and stays supple. That means sweat is very good for your Panama, and the best thing you can do for it is wear it and get a bit sweaty.

  • Wear it. Moisture keeps the straw supple so it won’t crack.
  • Moisten it. Place your hat in a steamy bathroom or hold it over boiling water.
  • If it gets very wet, let it dry on your head or it will distort. When it is almost dry, sit it on a flat surface with the brim up to settle.

How to Clean a Panama Hat

  • Brush it gently to remove dust and dirt, flicking the dirt out of the fibres.
  • Use mild soap and water for stains.
  • Try a white eraser. It can remove some stains.
  • Watch out for sunscreen and hair products. They leach the colour and stain your hat.

How to Handle a Panama Hat (and Avoid Cracks)

Never pinch the front of your hat, because it will crack the straw. This is the major cause of tragic hat death. Instead, gently grip the top of the crown with an open hand, or hold it by the brim.

  • Keep it on your head. If you take your hat off, it can get lost or crushed, and wearing it keeps the straw moist and supple.
  • Tune up the brim by gently sweeping your fingers along it and slowly reshaping it.
  • Don’t leave it in the sun, unless it is on your head.

How to Store a Panama Hat

Using a box will extend the life of your hat enormously. It keeps it safe through winter, protects it from getting squashed, and preserves it for future generations.

  • Avoid direct sunlight, as it dries out the straw.
  • Never leave it in the back of your car. It will dry out like an oven, shrinking the hat and making the straw brittle.
  • Never store a rollable Panama rolled up, even if it is made to be rolled.
  • Wearing it every day? Keep it on a hook.
  • Fino weave? Store it flat, ideally with the brim up. Finos are as soft as cloth and will distort otherwise.

Panama Hat Care Checklist

  • Wear it often and let it get a bit sweaty
  • Never pinch the front of the crown
  • Keep it away from sunscreen and hair products
  • Store it in a box, away from sun and hot cars
  • Store finos flat, brim up

 

 
Sometimes your hat will get damaged, and healing this is easy. The following movies and articles will help:

 

How to shape the brim on your Panama

How to fix a broken Panama

What to do if your Panama gets wet?

 

 

ー保管方法パナマ帽の置き方で帽子の形を長く保つ事が出来ます。

つばの下がった帽子は常につばが下に直接付かない様にスポンジ等を入れて保管するか帽子を逆さ置いて保管して下さい。

絶対に折り畳まずに保管してください。

 

ーパナマ帽はあまり乾燥しすぎない様に。

パナマ帽は適度な湿気と風通しが必要ですが雨の日は使用しないで下さい型崩れします。

車の中に放置しないで下さい乾燥してパナマ帽が縮んで割れやすく成ります。

 

ークリーニング基本水洗いは出来ません。

ハットブラシをかける前にホコリを飛ばしてからブラシをしてください、ホコリがパナマ帽の目に詰まってしまいます。

汗の汚れがスベリやリボンに付いた時は水で浸した布をよく絞って軽く拭いてからカビが出ない様によく乾かしてから保管してください。

日焼け止めクリームなどは変色やシミの原因になりますのでご注意ください。

 

ーパナマ帽の扱い方帽子の上前方のとがっている部分を絶対に指先でつままない様にして下さい。

そこから割れてしまいます。軽く帽子の上全体を持つか、両手でつばを持ってご使用下さい。

パナマ帽を被ってご自分でつばを指先で好み角度に調節して個性を出しましょう。

 

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