HAT CARE TIPS 

Panama hats are finely woven hats made from the straw of the toquilla palm plant. Their attractive shape, light weight and breathability make them a fashionable and practical choice for sunny, hot weather.

Proper care is the key to extending the life of your hat. Your hat adds the final accent to compliment the way you dress.

Preserving your hat's original appearance, will bring about years of hat wearing pleasure.

However, they are also delicate and require special handling and maintenance. Read our guide to learn more about straw hats, including how to take care of and clean them.

BASIC CARE FOR YOUR STRAW HAT

1. AVOID WATER

Straw hats are meant to protect you from the sun, but not from the rain. If your hat does get wet, it can lead to some undesirable consequences such as the natural dyes running and general sagging. Not only will the water cause it to swell and eventually lose its shape, but it can also cause your hat to rot if it is left damp for an extended period.

2. HANDLE WITH CARE

If you use your hat frequently but have noticed it's gradually losing its shape, this may be a result of how you hold it. When holding your hat, do so only by the wings. If you grab it from the front or pinch the crown, this could cause the straw to break over time.

3. REST IT UPSIDE-DOWN

When setting your straw hat down, turn it upside down so that it rests on the crown. Placing your hat on a flat surface will cause it to bow in the front and back.

4. STORE YOUR HAT IN A COOL, DRY PLACE

The fibers in your straw hat are vulnerable to extreme temperatures. Extreme heat will crack and dry out the fibers, and the hat will end up looking frayed.

Store your hat in a place where it is cool and will not get dirty. Putting it on the top shelf of a dark, dry closet or hanging it on a hook are both good ideas. Please also remember you can store your hat in the box that it arrived in.

Do not store your hat in a humid place. As straw is a natural product, a damp environment can cause rot or mold to appear. Never put your hat in a plastic bag, either, as this could lead to discoloration and mildew.

5. CLEAN YOUR STRAW HAT

When you're finished wearing your straw hat, you can wipe it down using a clean, damp cloth.

Alternatively, you can clean your hat using a soft-bristled brush. This should remove dirt and debris, including pollen and dust. Brushing your hat regularly should prevent dirt build-up, staining and discoloration.

We are not perfect and after all, we are wearing our hats near the water - what to do if your Hat Gets Wet:

1. First of all - don’t panic it is not ruined!
2. Remove it from the water as quickly as possible and gently shake off as much water as you can
3. If you have a towel handy, gently blot the hat with the towel (be sure to use a colourfast towel) to remove excess moisture
4. Return the hat brim to its original shape if it is bent
5. Turn down the interior sweatband and rest the hat on the crown to dry. Avoid resting the hat on its brim while wet.
6. Do not expose a wet hat to heat.
7. Leave it out to dry naturally without any hair dryers or heaters

 

WEARING YOUR HAT

Use the brim when removing or putting on your hat and avoid crushing the hat. Inside, there is an adjustable band sewn into the inner circumference hidden inside the hat band, you can make the size up to 1 size smaller (2cm smaller) using this band.

CLEANING & RESHAPING 

Remove stains or spots with a damp cloth and mild soap, gently dabbing the stain with the cloth (make sure that your cloth is colourfast).. Repeat this process with a damp cloth without soap and let air dry. If the hat or bag is left in a humid space this may distort the straw. If your hat has lost its shape or has a kink in it, lay a damp cloth or t-shirt on the part that needs to be reshaped and pass a warm iron over it. Repeat until the desired shape is achieved - make sure the iron is not too hot. This method can be used to manipulate the shape of the brim if you prefer it to flip up or down, as well.

DARK COLOURS AND NATURAL DYES

All our Panama Hats, Visors and Bags are dyed using natural materials and as such, the colours can transfer onto skin or clothes. The darker colours tend to transfer more easily than the lighter colours. Please keep this in mind when wearing your hat/visor/bag on your skin or light coloured clothes. In general, this will only happen for the first few times you wear them. Please also note, that due to the natural and hand made nature of our products, the colours will vary from item to item and may fade over time.

STORING YOUR HAT

We recommend you store your hat or bag in a cool, dry place on a shelf away from direct sunlight, otherwise this might discolor or distort the shape. Avoid contact with water or moisture and away from excess heat as straw may become brittle and crack. Avoid leaving inside your car for extended periods of time.