The story of Panama straw hats dates back all the way to President Theodore
Roosevelt’s trip to Panama at the turn of the 20th century, or at least that is
how they were named. It is because of his visit that these hats were named
“Panama” hats, although the bodies are actually woven from Ecuador. Regardless
of where the hat originated, or where the name came from (there
is a ton of history about the Panama hat online), the word Panama is perhaps
one of the most popular used phrases in our shops and online today.
We consistently have customers coming in and asking specifically for a “panama
hat”. The term Panama is often used to describe what could be any generic straw
hat on the shelves. We always try to inform and educate the customer on what
exactly a Panama hat is. This fall we actually saw a cheaply made felt hat that
was named “Felt Panama Hat” on the Banana Republic website. While we are a fan
of the brand and love the clothes, this simply isn’t what the hat is. Our hunch
is that the vast majority of their customers will inevitably think they are
buying a Panama hat from them though.

These are some of the things we have learned throughout our 35 years in retail
about Panama hats. We hope this helps you find the right Panama.

1. A Panama isn’t just a straw hat. It is specific to Ecuador, and has a very
specific weave to it. There is a grading system to Panama hats, but it is very
subjective. People will say just about anything to make you think it is a fine
Panama (even if it isn’t). Disregard the grading system and look for quality of
weave instead.

2. Most Panama hats have an official seal of Ecuador burned into the interior of the
body, but this can be very hard to read if the body has been bleached or dyed
after the mark was made. It is possible to be a Panama and not see the mark on
the inside of the hat, although we have never seen this mark on a hat that isn’t
a Panama.

3. Panama hats have a very distinctive weave pattern. This weave pattern starts
at the top of the crown and then weaves outward in a circular pattern. The
better quality Panamas have thinner fibers and a tighter weave patterns. This
takes longer to produce, but also gives the hat a softer more pliable feel. Some
of the highest quality Panama hats often feel like cloth.

4. Panamas can come in just about every color, pattern and shape. The one thing to note about the material is that it is very organic and natural in appearance and generally smooth. Other straws and summer hats are made from paper, hemp, coconut, seagrass, raffia and synthetic materials. These other hats can still be very high quality weaves and expensive, but that still doesn’t make them a Panama. Panama is made from the Toquilla straw plant.

5. Panama hats are wooven in Ecuador, but can be blocked and finished just
about anywhere. This is also the case for other materials like Harris Tweed.
Just because it states that the hat was made in the U.S.A. or Italy doesn’t mean
it isn’t a Panama. It just means that the straws bodies were shipped to other
countries for the production and finishing.

6. In many cases we have seen that Panama hats finished in countries outside
of Ecuador are of better quality. Why? Because these manufacturers in outside
countries are simply better hat makers and have better quality control
standards. The artists and craftspeople that weave these Panama fibers usually
don’t have anything to do with making the actual hats.

7. Yes, there is such a thing as a Montecristi hat, but be very careful
before buying one and ask as many questions as possible before buying it.
Montecristi hats are made from a specific region in Ecuador, but more
importantly they are the finest quality Panamas available. These hats have very
fine fibers and are woven super tight. In some cases it can take one of these
expert weavers up to a year to make the Montecristi body. That’s a lot of time!

8. Panamas don’t last forever. They are in fact organic material that will
dry out and crack over the long run. Some people can get years out of a Panama
hat if they know how to handle it. Don’t grab or pick the hat up by the crown or
the pinch (top of the hat). Almost all cracking comes from this. Instead pick
the hat up and hold the hat by the brim. Not pinching the crown will ensure you
get the maximum life out of the hat.

9. Expect to pay more for a good Panama hat. Each hat is a one of a kind. We
have heard that 1 out of every 2 Montecristi’s woven are scrapped before
becoming a fine quality hat. This is because they are just so hard to weave. The
length of time it takes to weave a Panama compounded with the relatively small
amount of people weaving them makes it a very specialty item. In Panama as with
everything, you get what you pay for.

10. The amount of Panama bodies available in the market today is much less
than there were ten years ago. This is a highly trained skill that just isn’t
being taught to the younger generations. While there are younger weavers, the
amount of them are shrinking and the seasoned weavers are getting old and
retiring. Panama’s (particularly the finer ones) will likely continue to become
harder and harder to find over the decades.

PS – I have yet to find a Panama with a “Made in China” label in it. Not that
it will never happen, but the cost to transport the bodies to, and the quality
of hats being produced probably make it cost prohibitive. We’ll update this if
we ever do see a Panama hat blocked or finished in China.

Expect innovative looks for the ladies this season, like the San Diego Winter Rose Houndstooth Fedora.  Keep it classic with the Betmar Margot Classic Wool Cloche with the heathered flower. Go casual with the Belfry Street Firenze knit Fisherman Cap.

Men’s styles are classic shapes made with unique materials, like the Belfry Gerald Woolrich Tweed Fedora. If you are a porkpie lover, like I am, the Belfry Street Fosters Wool Porkpie in grey is a great look for fall. A transitional hat, the Belfry Street Bodie, is perfect to take you from summer to fall.

This is a small sample of the fall styles coming to a Hats in the Belfry near you and online at www.hatsinthebelfry.com. -Shannon

This week’s post is dedicated to those celebrities that should have just covered up their head and called it a day. I realize that everyone has a bad hair day, but at least some of us are smart enough to know when we NEED to be wearing a hat.

Shia Labeouf – I understand a guy that wants to look like he isn’t trying too hard, but give me a break. I realize that he is raking it in with the Transformer movies and possibly doesn’t want to be recognized in public. Shia, you could have easily thrown on a Belfry Street Army Cap with those shades and no one would have had to take this picture.

Katy Perry – I like that Katy is always changing her look and blazes her own fashion trails. I even like the pink hair, but I will say this, there is nothing like a hat to protect your colored locks from the damaging effects of the sun (not to mention cover your blond roots in between color touch-ups.)  Katy, you can still be fashion forward and sensible. Put on this Straw Big Brim from the Protection Collection.

Robert Pattison – You have teenagers swooning and calling out Edward even when you try to make other films, but this is taking it a little too far. Shaving half your head for a movie role? How dare you. Keep these asymmetrical locks under wraps at least until the last Twilight movie has been released. The Kangol Summer Ivy Cap should do the trick.

Kate Bosworth – I don’t know what has come over you, Kate. Usually your hair looks flawless. Are you having some sort of Britney Spears-esque kind of crisis? To save us all from enduring another second of this disastrous do, please, put on something like the Sea Breeze Cotton Sun Hat from the Protection Collection.

Al Pacino – This hair needs an intervention. Al gets a break because he didn’t choose this look for himself. He is filming a movie about music mogul, Phil Spector who did wear his hair like this on purpose. My advice is to cover that do as soon as you get off the set with a hat like the Belfry Smith fedora.

No matter how bad a hair day you are having, we always have a hat that is sure to help you through. – Shannon

Celebrity photos from peoplemagazine.com

Some of my favorite summer scarves are featured in the Getaway Collection on www.hatsinthebelfry.com. These unique prints and materials make for a scarf that can be worn throughout the year while still looking fresh and light for the summer.

A crinkle scarf like The Charlotte is perfect for traveling. You can roll it up and keep it in your beach bag. How glamorous would you feel coming off the beach with your bathing suit, sun hat and scarf? The neutral tone is easy for any wardrobe, but the fashion colors like the green or purple are great, too.

The Jasmine Sparkle Fashion Scarf adds a pop of color and a little glitz that can be worn day into evening. A long scarf that can be wrapped and worn in different ways adds a different look to different outfits. These great colors like turquoise and lilac combine hues of those colors while still looking bold and bright.

If your look is a little more bohemian The Maya Floral Fashion Scarf might be more your style. I love it when people mismatch their prints and this scarf would be a perfect way to add some extra color to your ensemble. The colors are soft for summer and will translate well into the fall season.

My favorite scarf featured in the collection is The Camilla Polka Dot Scarf. I love the different sized dots and the splash of color with the neutral of the green. I also love the idea of putting this scarf with the Belfry Roxanna Fedora. I can see this look being worn with a black sundress or a t-shirt and jeans and still looking swanky.

A great scarf is truly a unique accessory that can add an extra touch of class to any outfit.     - Shannon

Dam Style is a street photography blog from Amsterdam. We see very similar hat trends on the streets of the United States. Guys are wearing snap brim fedoras and gals are wearing cloche hats.

In Barcelona, Spain expect to see the classic snap brim fedoras and big brims to block the sun. The website Spain Street Style is a great place to spot the super fashionable and the casual traveler.

The Locals is a street style blog from Copenhagen, Denmark. They are in their summer months, but the high temperature is about 70 degrees, so expect warmer headwear. Knit hats in bright colors and floppy styles.

The street style found on Hel-Looks in Helsinki, Finland can range from wild to wilder even though their hat trends are very similar to those in the States. Classic driving caps, snap brim fedoras and fascinators can be found on even the most unique fashionista.

Back stateside, in San Francisco, the floppy style with great sun coverage can be found on one of the most photographed street stylistas who is pictured every season on the blog THESFStyle.

New York based style blogs like The Sartorialist picture street stylers from New York, L.A., Paris, Milan and more. In L.A. we see mini bikinis and trendy fedoras. In New York, they keep on trend with the trendy floppy fedora but skips the bikinis.

From this display of hat style all over the world, it is safe to say that hats as a fashion accessory are here to stay. It doesn’t matter where you live, if you are wearing a great hat, you have a serious chance of being stopped on the street. - Shannon

Broner has a long history of American hat manufacturing. They started in business in Detroit Michigan in 1920 when founder, Harry Broner, started selling protective hats, gloves and aprons to Ford auto workers across the street from his home. After the Great Depression in 1933 when auto manufacturers started providing the protective gear for the workers, the business model changed to focus on the industrial manufacturing market and the local retail market. Now, over 78 years later, Broner is located just up the road in Auburn Hills Michigan and is still run by the Broner family.

How to Win: Tell us which of these five Broner hats in your favorite! We will randomly select a winner from all the comments to win the hat they chose as their favorite. We will pick a winner on Friday, July 15^th.

Another Way to Win: Go to our Facebook page and comment on your favorite Broner hat for a second chance to win.

Good Vibrations - Natural

Santorini - Black

Worldly Known - Olive

Sicily - Black

Fine Feather - Grey

Good Luck! - Shannon

Update 7/15!!! Congratulations to Jennifer Lewis! She was selected as the winner of the Good Vibrations hat by Broner.

We are so excited about our newest shop in the DC/VA area. We already received an extremely warm welcome in our National Harbor location and are looking to celebrate with a Grand Opening event this Thursday, June 30^th from 4pm to 8pm.

Enjoy 15% Off any Belfry Brand hat in the store (excluding sale items) when you say the special VIP password “Hats Off”!

You can also look forward to refreshments, give-aways and a raffle! We hope to see you there to celebrate our return to the DC/VA area. We are glad to be back!

 What: Grand Opening Celebration

Where: 140 Waterfront Street, Oxon Hill, MD (National Harbor)

When: Thursday, June 30^th, 4-8pm

T-shirt and Shorts guys – A guy with casual and comfortable style (like this Abercrombie look) can keep it simple with a hat that can be worn through all the seasons.

The Belfry Street Army cap gives the same amount of sun protection as a baseball hat and is light weight and comfortable.

T Shirt and Jeans – If you are a t-shirt and jeans guy whether it is July or November, let you hat be the seasonal twist to your wardrobe. A basic grey Banana Republic shirt is the perfect backdrop to let your hat make the impression.

The Belfry Street Santiago is a great light weight cap that adds a super stylish element without looking like you are trying too hard.

Button Up and Shorts – If you are a casual guy who prefers a button up to a regular t-shirt (J.Crew style) your hat choice should complement your look while keeping it simple.

Go for a natural color straw that will go with any color combination in a style like the Belfry Straw Jazz.  

Classed Up Casual – When putting together a stylish casual look (like this one from Banana Republic) you have to make sure your hat doesn’t make you look over the top.

The Belfry Street Cabana fedora is absolutely on trend for this summer. The snap brim style is perfect to wear day into evening.

Classic – The classic polo look from Brooks Brothers lends itself well to great hat style. A perfect panama straw will keep you cool while making you look cool.

The Belfry Delay is similar to a Safari style, with a downturned brim for optimal sun protection.

Trendsetter – If you are into wearing the latest in men’s casual fashion, make sure your hat is as stylish as the rest of you.

The Gonzo from Makins in raffia straw is a favorite this season and goes great with a casual summer style.

Button Up and Jeans – If you are a jeans wearing kind of guy who isn’t afraid of color, keep your hat style clean a simple. A khaki driving cap looks great with an Abercrombie colorful plaid button up.

A style like the Belfry Street Gilmore will work with your style for every season of the year.

Regina King, known for her roles in films like Jerry Maguire, Enemy of the State and Boys in the Hood, is definitely in fantastic shape and not afraid to show some leg.  The dress is cute and summery, even if it is a little short. The white cloche hat, just does not compliment her look. A floppy hat in a great color like the San Diego Jessica, large brim would have made a much better impression.

Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussy Cat Dolls has been known to wear some revealing items when performing on stage. Why she has chosen to wear this ensemble is beyond me. I almost don’t have anything to recommend that would save it. This floppy style in olive green is a great hat, but paired with a fur vest and skinny jeans, it looks like an afterthought. A mod style cap like the Belfry Jay Gatsby would be a better fit with this glam fur look.

I cannot believe that I am going to recommend a better accessory for Donna Karan, but this over the top floppy is just not helping her cause. It seems like she is going for a beach-y Grecian neutral thing, but the hat just doesn’t seem to be doing its job here. Why not go for a hat that is a little more classic, actually offers some shade and adds just a touch of color like the Helen Kaminski Provence Rafia Floppy?

Khloe, Khloe, Khloe, why do you do this to yourself? This ensemble is just too much. The brim on this hat is too big and the cropped pants are not flattering. If I had to recommend a hat to improve this look, it would be a classic men’s fedora snap brim like the Belfry Goon. Keep it all black and sleek.

Shanae Grimes of Scream 4 and the 2000’s version of 90210, looks like she is going to a 90’s party in this outfit. A see-through top, with jean shorts and boots are enough to get her on the worst dressed list. You really can’t blame the hat. If I had to pick another hat to go with this look, I would probably suggest the Belfry Straw Jazz in the tobacco color straw, mostly just because I really like this hat. There is no saving this outfit.

I wasn’t going to pick on anyone photographed at The Derby, but Brooke Sheilds should know better. I know it is a day to wear over the top artistic interpretations of a hat, but please, Brooke, you can do better. The Christine A. Moore Feather fascinator in cream would go perfectly with your plunging neckline of a dress and still make a statement.

My final hat disaster is my favorite one to pick on…Lady Gaga, Even though I regularly include you on my lists of “worst” hat choices, I hope you continue to wear them. I just love to see what will be on top of your head next. – Shannon