When the sun finally decides to stay out for more than an afternoon, we reach for straw that breathes. A well-woven Panama keeps glare out of your eyes and heat off your head without ever feeling stuffy—just ask the 114 customers who’ve left five-star reviews on our long-running Panama Fedora. It’s still the house favorite for mowing a lawn, strolling a farmers’ market, or—if you’re lucky—cheering in the stands at Churchill Downs on Derby Day. And if you need a last-minute Mother’s Day surprise, a feather-light brim beats flowers that wilt by Tuesday.
Why Panamas? They start with toquilla fiber, hand-split and hand-woven in Ecuador. The straw is naturally light, tough, and airy; a tight weave even sheds a fair share of the sun’s UV sting while letting sweat evaporate instead of collect. In practical terms: breathable comfort, packable strength, and a look that plays just as nicely with linen as it does with jeans.
There’s a Panama for just about every kind of day ahead. If you’re dressing up for a wedding or a Sunday outing, the Panama Fedora has that easy, ageless style that feels right without trying too hard. Out on the golf course or sitting back at a barbecue, the Gambler Panama — with its wide brim and rolled edge — feels like it was made for leaning back and enjoying the afternoon. When the heat’s really cooking, you’ll be glad to have the Featherweight Panama, a hat so light you’ll forget you’re wearing it until you notice how cool you’ve stayed. For the folks who still put in their hours in the sun, the Rancher’s Panama brings a little extra toughness, ready for fence mending or garden work without a second thought. City days call for something a little sharper, and that’s where the Torino Panama steps in, with a crisp shape that looks just as good stepping off the train as it does at a summer dinner. And new this season, the Piero Panama keeps things simple — clean lines, a light hand, and the kind of easy comfort you’ll reach for without thinking twice.
Did You Know? Straw Hat Day, later known in some places as Felt Hat Day, was the unofficial deadline when it became socially expected to swap your lightweight straw hat for a heavier felt one. In 1922 New Yorkers got so upset about folks not switching from straw to felt that they began yanking Panamas off strangers’ heads, stomping them flat, and even setting some to flames. The eight-day “Straw Hat Riot” ended with arrests, bruised egos, and hundreds of ruined lids—all because someone wore summer straw past the unofficial deadline.
One housekeeping note: the Darwin Panama is on back-order until May 30. If that’s the shape you’re after, place the order now and we’ll ship the moment the shipment lands. In the meantime, the rest of the lineup is ready for porch swings, garden beds, and every sunny mile in between. Slip one on, feel the breeze, and enjoy the season—it was made for this hat.