HOW TO TAKE CARE OF MY HAT

As much care as any plantTHE RIGHT DEED FOR A MAGNIFIED PANAMA

The Panama is an exceptional hat directly issued from nature. The straw strands that make its flexibility, its fineness, its durability, its longevity and even, with very intricate weaving, its waterproofing are made from the dried leaves of the toquilla palm. They are organic material and require as much care as any plant. They can change over time according to the climate, ageing and above all according to the attention you will pay to them. That is why it is necessary to develop the right deed to take care and preserve your Panama hat so that to extend its lifetime, its poise and its elegance making it a timeless companion.

As much care as any plantTHE RIGHT DEED FOR A MAGNIFIED PANAMA

The Panama is an exceptional hat directly issued from nature. The straw strands that make its flexibility, its fineness, its durability, its longevity and even, with very intricate weaving, its waterproofing are made from the dried leaves of the toquilla palm. They are organic material and require as much care as any plant. They can change over time according to the climate, ageing and above all according to the attention you will pay to them. That is why it is necessary to develop the right deed to take care and preserve your Panama hat so that to extend its lifetime, its poise and its elegance making it a timeless companion.

Above all gentlenessHOW TO TAKE OFF AND STORE ONE’S PANAMA HAT

The Panama hat is a frail and delicate headwear that requires a nearly ritualistic manipulation to preserve its shape, its beauty and its durability. Avoid handling it by the crown when putting it on or taking it off! It may distort, weaken and with time the palm material will break. Handle it with care and always use the brim to pick it up. The hat must be properly stored in a cool, dark and open area. Put its crown facing down or on a hat block as it is important for the brim not to be on a flat surface. If you decide to store it in a hat box, wrap it in silk paper to keep the dust away. You can roll up the hat with special indications and only for the short period of a journey or a travel. Never keep the hat folded for a long time.

Some humidity but no waterCARING FOR YOUR HAT

The Panama hat is a summer outfit and it is not a proper accessory when you are out in the rain. Straw is a very absorbent material and direct water on its weaving should leave stains or weaken it. If ever contact is made wipe it with a dry cloth and let it air dry naturally on a flat surface without artificial heat. Nevertheless, as any straw hat, the Panama would suffer from being in a too dry place and the fibres would become dehydrated. It does need humidity to allow its fibres to remain flexible. Store your hat in a slightly damp place and spray a thin mist over it. You can also apply some moisturizing cream twice a year to nourish the fibres or place it in the steam of boiling water to reshape it if it has become distorted. You will thus durably preserve the fibres, the fine weaving and the regular plaiting.

A daily careHOW TO CLEAN ONE’S PANAMA

Removing stains, cleaning sweat from the inner band or wiping dust will help to preserve your Panama hat’s pureness, singularity and increase its lifetime. A Panama hat can indeed be cleaned every day but always gently. Use a soft-bristle brush or a dry and clean cloth and softly brush the hat counter-clockwise. For stronger stains, dampen the cloth with lemon water, soft soap, some drops of ammonia if there are grease stains. You can add coarse sea salt to rub the stain more efficiently without aggressing the fibres. We recommend using baby wipes or facial tissue that can be very efficient to remove the stains while leaving a thin layer of fat. If there are still stains the processing must be deepened : mix talc with oxygenated water to get a paste that you will use to gently rub the stain, let it sit for a few minutes then remove. Whatever the process, always rinse a second time with a clean slightly damp cloth. Then let it dry somewhere clean and dark. Your hat will be like new again!