Guide of questions about Panama Hats

Everything you need to know about our hats.

Your Questions Guide,

From materials and customization to shipping and care, here you'll find answers to the most common questions. If you need more information, don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to help.

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Sombrero de paja toquilla

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Find answers to all your questions about our products and services

Product Care

Store your hat in a cool, dry place, preferably in its original box or on a flat surface, away from direct sunlight to prevent discoloration.

We do not recommend immersing the hat in water. For light stains, use a slightly damp cloth and let it dry naturally, away from heat sources.

Always handle the hat by the brim, never by the crown. If it slightly loses its shape, you can apply gentle steam and mold it carefully while it's flexible.

We recommend keeping the hat in a dry, well-ventilated place, avoiding prolonged exposure to sun or extreme humidity, and cleaning it gently with a dry or slightly damp cloth.

If your hat gets wet accidentally, gently shake off excess water and let it dry at room temperature on a flat surface. Never use hair dryers or expose it to direct sunlight, as it may deform or shrink.

We recommend gentle brushing with a natural bristle brush periodically to remove surface dust. For deep cleaning, we suggest doing it once a year or when strictly necessary.

There are specific protective sprays for straw hats that offer slight waterproofing. However, we recommend consulting with us before applying any product to ensure compatibility with our natural fibers.

Craftsmanship & Tradition

The toquilla straw (Carludovica palmata) comes primarily from the coastal regions of Ecuador. Our fibers are selected for their exceptional quality and worked following ancestral techniques.

Hand weaving ensures that each piece has subtly different characteristics. Our artisans imprint their personality in each creation, resulting in truly exclusive pieces.

The production time varies according to the complexity and fineness of the weave. A standard quality hat can take between 1 and 3 days, while fine or superfine woven hats may require weeks to months of meticulous work.

Although they originate from Ecuador, these hats gained international recognition during the construction of the Panama Canal in the early 20th century, when thousands of workers wore them for sun protection. Hence the name 'Panama Hat', although their true origin is Ecuadorian.

An authentic hat presents uniform weaving but with subtle variations inherent to handwork, flexibility to the touch, lightness, and a characteristic aroma of the natural fiber. All our hats include an authenticity certificate that guarantees their origin.

UNESCO declared the traditional weaving of the Ecuadorian Panama hat as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012, recognizing its historical importance, ancestral techniques transmitted through generations, and its fundamental role in Ecuadorian cultural identity. This distinction celebrates not only the final product but all the knowledge and tradition associated with its creation.

Purchases | Brands

Absolutely! We love working on custom projects and special collaborations. If you have a specific idea or desire an exclusive design, contact us to discuss the details.

Yes, we offer customization options, including specific colors, ribbons, and special finishes. We work with you to create a unique hat that adapts to your style.

Yes, we offer special prices for wholesale purchases. If you're interested in large quantities, contact us for more information about discounts and delivery times.

All our hats come with a 1-year warranty against manufacturing defects. It does not cover damage from improper use or natural product wear.

We offer a wide variety of Panama hats in different colors, styles, and finishes, from natural tones to complete bleaching and custom designs.

We offer a detailed measurement guide in our sizes section. For a perfectly fitted hat, we recommend measuring your head circumference 2cm above your ears.

Yes, each hat comes with an authenticity certificate that verifies its origin, weaving technique, and quality, ensuring you are acquiring an authentic Ecuadorian Panama hat.

Shipping

Yes, we ship to multiple countries around the world. We work with reliable logistics services to ensure the hat arrives in perfect condition.

For domestic shipments, 3 to 5 business days. International shipments may take between 7 and 14 days, depending on the destination and customs procedures.

National shipping costs vary by region, starting from $5 for main urban areas. For purchases over $100, we offer free national shipping.

We ship to over 80 countries worldwide, including the U.S., Canada, the European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and much of Latin America. If your country doesn't appear in our shipping options, contact us directly to evaluate the possibility.

We use a specialized packaging system to protect our hats during international transport. Each hat is secured with acid-free tissue paper, placed in a custom-made protective rigid box, and sealed in a moisture-resistant outer package. This method ensures your hat arrives in perfect condition regardless of distance.

Bleaching

If the process is done correctly, it should not significantly weaken the fibers. However, more intensive treatments, such as complete bleaching, can make the straw slightly more fragile. That's why we use techniques and products that minimize the impact on the hat's durability.

Semi-bleaching lightens the hat's tone partially, leaving a light beige and more natural color. Complete bleaching aims for a uniform white tone, ideal for a more elegant and modern look.

Yes, but it's important to evaluate the hat's condition before starting. Very old hats or those with weakened fibers may not be suitable for complete bleaching, as the process could damage them.

We recommend avoiding prolonged exposure to sun and extreme humidity. It's important to store it in a dry, well-ventilated place to maintain its color and shape longer.

We strive to offer high-quality results and guaranteed satisfaction. However, in very old hats or those with previous damage, results may vary. We always inform the customer about possible risks before proceeding.

Yes, we offer options from a more natural semi-bleached tone to an intense white. We work with you to achieve the finish that best suits your preferences.

The cost depends on the type of bleaching and the hat's condition. We offer different options to adjust to your needs, from essential services to premium treatments.

Yes, but the result will depend on the depth and age of the stains. In many cases, bleaching can lighten them significantly, although it's not always possible to eliminate them completely.

Yes, after bleaching the hat may slightly lose its original shape due to the moisture in the process. We offer a molding and final finishing service to restore its shape and ensure a better result.

We recommend not performing more than two complete bleachings on the same hat, as each process can slightly weaken the fibers. However, semi-bleaching is less aggressive and can be repeated more frequently.

Colors | Dyeing

We have an extensive catalog of over 180 standard colors, from natural and classic tones (ivory, beige, ochre) to vibrant colors (cobalt blue, emerald green, coral). However, our customization capacity goes far beyond our catalog.

Absolutely! Our artisanal dyeing service allows us to create virtually any color you desire. Simply provide us with a reference (Pantone code, physical sample, or image) and our master dyers will develop the exact tone you're looking for in your hat.

The custom dyeing process typically adds 5 to 7 additional days to the standard production time. This includes color formula development, testing, and final dyeing. For especially complex colors or large volume orders, the time may vary.

Yes, we offer re-dyeing services to renew faded hats or completely change the color of existing pieces. The result will depend on the current state of the hat and its original color, so we recommend a prior consultation to evaluate viability.

Indeed, our dyeing workshop offers professional services to business partners, companies, and independent artisans who require toquilla straw coloring. We have the technical capacity to handle projects of various volumes, from small artisanal productions to large-scale corporate orders.

Need personalized assistance?

Our customer service team is available to answer any questions about our products and services.