Panama* Hat
Free U.S. returns, 2-year warranty
Monday—Saturday: 11am—6pm
Sunday: 12pm—5pm
Monday—Saturday: 10am—6pm
Sunday: 12pm—5pm
Monday—Saturday: 11am—7pm
Sunday: 11am—6pm
Monday- Saturday: 11am-7pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm
Monday—Saturday: 10am—6pm
Sunday: 11am—5pm
Dimensions
- Handmade item, dimensions may vary slightly
- Crown height: 4 in.
- Brim width: approximately 2.75 in.
- Ribbon width: 1.4 in.
- To find out your hat size, measure the circumference of your head from above your eyebrows, or where you’d like the hat to rest for exact measurement. Please reference our size chart to see which hat size is the best fit for your head based on your measurements.
Fewer, better
Although commercially referred to as a Panama* Hat, this hat is made in Ecuador. Our fewer, better mission is grounded in the importance of preserving origin stories. Why? Because the story of where a product comes from is what gives it meaning, emotion, and connection. Founded with the intention of honoring the hands and lives of indigenous women who weave the Panama* Hat, Cuyana means “to love” in Quechua, an indigenous language of South America. When a product is made by hand through a skill that has been passed down among many generations, it is guaranteed to last longer — it is made with love.
Cuyana’s first-ever product, our Panama* Hat is designed with a traditional silhouette and features a narrow brim and a contrasting grosgrain ribbon bow. Each hat features an interior adjustable band that allows for a more custom fit.
The Making of Our Panama* Hats
*This is a hat handwoven in Ecuador, with love.
An Ecuadorian Treasure
What it took for one hat to get to your house is the story of craftsmanship passed down over generations, hundreds of thousands of hours of skilled labor, and an ongoing battle to give recognition to the artisans who created the original design. In the 1600s, indigenous Ecuadorian people created the art of weaving toquilla straw and, since then majority female weavers have supported their traditional lifestyles by selling their craft. This hat is, by definition, a representation of Ecuadorian history and heritage. Each hat is a work of art, taking at least eight hours to make. From palm frond to finish, the process of creating a Panama* Hat is a true labor of love.
The Misnaming of an Icon
Over the years the rise of mass production techniques in the retail industry has diminished the demand for locally-crafted goods, resulting in a disconnection between a product and its true heritage craft and origin story. The Panama* Hat is a perfect example. This product was given its name after the design was massively exported from Ecuador to Panama during the 19th century. Theodore Roosevelt was then famously photographed wearing this hat during the Panama Canal inauguration, which gave the hat its global recognition. At that point, the true Ecuadorian origin of this treasure became widely unknown. Our mission is to give Ecuador and its skilled weavers the respect and recognition they deserve for creating an iconic design.
Sign Our Petition
Join us in our movement to reclaim the origin story and honor the female weavers behind the Panama* Hat, giving Ecuador and their indigenous artisans the recognition they deserve. Sign the petition to require all US retailers to change the name of the iconic Panama* Hat.
Discover Our Hat Collection
