MONTECRISTI PANAMA HATS

Alpaca Collections is proud to showcase fine handmade Montecristi Panama Hats that make an amazing addition to every refined wardrobe.

The Art of Handmade Montecristi Panama Hats

These extraordinary hats are handcrafted by artisans in Ecuador from toquilla straw. This straw is hand-split into strands not much thicker than thread, and woven so finely that the Panama hats appear to be made from linen.

Each Panama hat is woven by a single artisan, hand-blocked, and takes months to complete. All the straw hats in this collection come from local artisans in Cuenca and the small village of Montecristi, internationally renowned for the high-quality weaving of its Panama hats.

Sourcing Montecristi Panama Hats from Homero Ortega

These hats are sourced from the famous Homero Ortega, a 40-year-old family-owned business that has contributed to the fame of the Panama hat and its place in the world by being the first company in Ecuador to export these beautiful hats worldwide. 

Homero Ortega is fully respectful of the environment, using only biodegradable materials in both the crafting and finishing of its hats. Montecristi means the highest standard in the Panama straw hat trade. These hats take longer to weave, require a lot of patience and expertise, and are harder to find.

Just like the magic name of "Havana Montecristi" represents the best Cuban cigars, the Montecristi Straw Hats are the badge of the town of Montecristi on the coast of Ecuador.

PANAMA HAT STYLES

Fedora Style

In the 1940’s the “Panama” Fedora was the gentleman’s hat of choice in warm climates and classic movies. It remains the most popular style today.

Optimo Style

The Optimo is the classic Panama hat style. In Ecuador, it’s called the Natural. The Optimo was the style of choice for British travelers, ex-pats, and empire builders.

Western Panama Hat

This hand-woven classic Western straw Panama hat has a medium weave giving it a casual, but nice look.

Havana Style Hat

Great hat to go with a good cigar. Elegant but not too formal with a shorter brim.  The perfect accessory for outdoor reunions.

Care of your Toquilla Straw Hat

A genuine Panama hat is a handmade treasure; no two hats are alike. Slight imperfections in color, weave, and finish – either by nature or the artisan’s hand – make it unique! Montecristi Panama Hats wants you to be pleased with your purchase for many years to come. Your Panama hat will continue to look like new if you follow the basic care instructions recommended below.

1. Handling: Your authentic Panama hat is known for its weave and flexibility and can be formed into whatever shape suits you through hand shaping. For your hat to maintain its original shape, pick up or handle your Panama hat by the brim, or by cupping the crown with an open palm. Never pinch it by the crown. Most styles of authentic toquilla Panama hats should never be rolled.  Lastly, avoid wearing your straw Panama hat in the rain. Toquilla straw will withstand light moisture, but soaking will cause the hat to lose its shape.
2. Reshaping: If your hat loses its shape due to heavy rain or an unfortunate mishap (it happens!), try to reshape it a couple of different ways. Hold the hat in steam over boiling water and mold the hat back into shape. A blow dryer – on a low heat setting – can be used to dry the hat as you are reforming its shape. To reshape the brim, use an iron – again, on a low heat setting – to give it just the right bend.
3. Cleaning: Panama hats are easy to clean. Wipe the hat with a soft, lint-free, tightly-woven cloth (to prevent catching or snagging). You may also try a moist facial or baby wipe. If your hat still isn't as clean as you’d like, a small amount of mild soap and water should do the trick.
4. Storage: When storing your hat, it’s best to use a hat box. Use the box the hat came in, or invest in a new one. If you own several Panama hats, do not stack them or store them on top of one another. If you must stack them, place the smallest hat on a base that will lift the hat and support it by the crown, then stack bigger hats on top ensuring that the brims of the lower hats are not weighted down and misshapen.

Size Guide

1. Measure the circumference of your head using a flexible measuring tape. Place the measuring tape just above the top of your ears and slightly above your eyebrows then wrap it around the back of your head, keeping in mind where a hat would naturally rest on your head. Make sure the tape is not too tight or too loose, as this measurement will reflect hatband size. For best results, have someone else measure your head for you.
2. Measure several times for accuracy. Be sure to note if the measurement is in inches or centimeters.
3. Use the table below to locate the hat size that matches your measurement.
4. Hand-woven hats may vary in size. If needed, we may adjust sizing based on your measurements.

Buying a gift but don't know the hat size? It's easy!

Find a hat your special someone wears -- a brimmed hat or even a baseball cap will do. With a measuring tape, measure the circumference of the inside bottom edge of the hat where the crown meets the brim. Measure several times for accuracy. If you don't have a measuring tape handy use a piece of non-stretch string, mark the circumference measurement on the string, then lie the string down on a flat surface and measure with a ruler. Send us your measurements or check them against our easy-to-use hat sizing chart for size. 

We hope you find this information helpful! Below you'll find some of the Montecristi Panama Hats we have available! You can also check out this section to find more styles!

If you have any questions or want to know more about a certain product, feel free to contact us at [email protected]