Club Obi Wan

I was watching a documentary many years ago and I remember they were saying that the Panama hats were not made in Panama, but they got their name because they were worn by the workers who were building the Panama canal.

My question is where were the Panama hats originally made? Which country? (can't remember from the documentary) and where can I buy an original authentic Panama hat today?

thanks and regards,

Ecuador, in the town of Montecristi.

Panama hats originated in Ecuador.

Some are incredibly expensive. I'll post some links once I get home, have them bookmarked on the home PC.

http://panamahatsdirect.com/

The price varies on the weave and materials, and largely the markup of the hat seller. Sadly, there are fewer and fewer master weavers anymore and it seems to be a dying art. Some weavers can weave a hat so incredibly fine that you'd swear the fabric was cloth! And as much as you might think it would be a cooler hat to wear, these hats can be rather toasty since the air doesn't move through them as easily! The simpler and less expensive weaves use thicker strands and you can see light through some of them. Be aware that there are many panama style hats out there, but not all of them are actual panamas. Some hats aren't even woven with palm or straw, but with a processed paper!

The simpler and less expensive weaves use thicker strands and you can see light through some of them

Such as the ones made in Cuenca, Ecuador.

The ones made in Montecristi Ecuador are often (not always) better. Expect a Cuenca to last you a couple years, whereas a well made Montecristi should last several decades. Both are made from the woven leaves of the toquilla straw plant.

BEWARE the grading system, one maker's "Fino Fino" might be another guy's "sub-fino." Rely on the weaves per square inch as a measure of quality. Even that is not a guaranty, the weave must be tight and straight.

Better keep this "Indy" or Michaelson (regards!) will shut the thread down. So let me just say that some cost as much as a Golden Idol would fetch on the black market.

Hey, I mod here, too, you know! No worries. Besides, Marcus Brody wore one, as did Belloq and Sallah, so there, now it's Indy related.

http://panamahatsdirect.com/

Have been eye-balling the super-fino, and that Trilby Style looks like what Hiram Bingham might have worn.

Also check out Robert Weber {PanamBob}at http://www.panamas.biz/index.html he is great to deal with and has some nice hats at a nice price.
I have several of his hats, always a bargan.

Can't quite match the weave per square inch/ $ that that Dazell has.

And "Bob" pays for commercial advert rates at TFL instead of paying the workers.