Hats

The beginning takes place in the humid forests of the Manabi coast, where the toquilla palm lives in its natural state. This plant grows between 1.5 and 2 meters, and at 3 years it is ready to harvest its leaves.

So Theodore Roosevelt meets for first time the toquilla straw hats. On that occasion he was photographed wearing one and this image appeared in the New York Times, which gave these accessories international fame, but their origin was initially confused and recived the popular name “Panama Hat“, after the place in which they were sold, although its origin was actually Ecuadorian.

The Panama Hat weaving is an ancient knowledge passed from generation to generation. It’s a tradition that continues today bringing entire families. Moreover, it represents a lifestyle that creates a sense of identity and social cohesion reference for both the craftsmen who manufacture the hats and the people of Manabi.

Panama hats have several models, each with its name and its main characteristics that distinguish each other. These fashion hats can be for all tastes: youthful, formal, sports and classic.

Toquilla straw hat, also known as Panama Hat, have become very popular among young people and adults.  If you have a Panama hat and you do not know how to combine it or you want to buy one, but you do not know which one is the right one, you have arrived at the right place. 

Since the first of October the straw hat has been exhibited in the MoMa (Museum of Modern Art in New York) museum. This is erroneously known as Panama Hat. Its true origin is from Ecuador. 

The Montecristi hat mistakenly known as the Panama Hat is woven by Ecuadorian hands. Montecristi is the center where these handmade hats are found. Weavers take between 1 to 6 months to weave a fine hat.

In Ecuador, the workshop schools are an alternative craft training and working, oriented to men and women over 15 years, generally of scarce resources

For more than a century, Montecristi Hats or Panama Hats have captivated important personalities and tourists around the world with their style and elegance.

The fame and the use of this hat was wrongly and undeservedly extended with the name of “Panama Hat", without recognizing that the “toquilla straw” grows in Ecuador.

We must stop thinking and believe the myth that toquilla straw hats are only an accessory to wear in the summer season or hot climates.

Portoviejo the capital of Manabí, the province where the finest straw shawl hats are woven in the world, is forming new artisans who are making grow and strengthen the tradition and the art of weaving straw hats.