Genuine Panama Straw Brims – $119

Superior Materials: Genuine Panama

Genuine Panama hats are made from toquilla straw, a rare and remarkable material harvested along the coast of Ecuador. The process begins when the young shoots of the toquilla palm are cut, split into fine strands, and then boiled and dried in the sun to achieve their signature pale hue. From there, skilled artisans, often working by hand in their homes or small workshops, weave the fibers strand by strand. Depending on the fineness of the weave, a single hat can take days or even weeks to complete. Once woven, the unfinished bodies are shaped and finished either in Ecuador or with our American partners, blending heritage craftsmanship with precise finishing.

The qualities of Panama straw are what make it legendary. It is remarkably lightweight yet strong, allowing hats to feel almost weightless while remaining durable. The weave itself creates natural ventilation, making Panama hats cool and breathable in even the hottest weather. One of its most famous features is flexibility, a fine Panama can be rolled or packed and then return to its shape, a detail no machine-made straw can replicate.

We work with genuine Panama because it is a living piece of cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO, and because it represents the pinnacle of straw craftsmanship. Customers love it for its effortless elegance and timeless appeal, a hat that feels as natural at a summer wedding as it does on a casual day outdoors. Unlike imitations, a true Panama hat carries the story of the artisan’s hand in every weave, and a literal stamp of approval, making each one unique. This combination of rarity, artistry, and performance is what makes genuine Panama an enduring symbol of luxury made affordable.

Master Craftsmen: Korber American Craft, Heritage Panamas

Korber has built its reputation on shaping and finishing genuine Panama hats with a distinctly American sensibility. While the toquilla straw bodies are handwoven in Ecuador, it’s in Korber’s U.S. workshop that they are blocked, trimmed, and finished with precision.  The result is a collection of Panamas that combine the lightness and breathability of Ecuadorian weaving with the structure and style of American craftsmanship. Customers love Korber because their hats feel authentic, timeless, and wearable — true heritage pieces designed to last.

Master Craftsmen: Bigalli Ecuadorian Panama Tradition

Based in Cuenca, Ecuador, Bigalli is dedicated to preserving the art of genuine Panama hats. Every piece begins with toquilla straw, handwoven by skilled artisans using techniques passed down for generations and recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’s cultural heritage.

Bigalli’s hats combine this authentic weaving with modern finishing and versatile styles, from classic wide brims to safari silhouettes. Customers love Bigalli because their Panamas are lightweight, breathable, and timeless — true expressions of Ecuadorian craftsmanship made to be worn every day.