Pile, place of manufacture of the Original Panama Hat

The true toquilla straw hat is of Ecuadorian origin, in the cities of Cuenca and Montecristi, they are the places where thousands of hats are made each year, an approximate of 20 thousand families dedicate themselves to carrying out this work among adolescents, young people and people of the elderly, so those who are over 55 years of age call them in Ecuador.

These two communities are dedicated to making various hats, in different colors, sizes, fabrics and qualities.

Pile, is a town that belongs to Montecristi, which according to history, together with Jipijapa, were the places where the famous hats began to be woven.

This history can be assured because it is the only place in the world where high-end “Superior Quality” hats are woven, where the true and authentic master weavers exist.

“Our artisan hands are the development and sustenance of our country”

How long does it take to make a fine Pile hat?

A Panama hat made in Pile can be made from 3 months to 1 year and that is why they are classified as Premium and Golden.

It’s hard work that starts from 4 in the morning to 10 in the morning and then from 6 in the afternoon to 11 at night.

Sure, you are wondering why at that time, I explain, they are fine threads that can only be worked in cool weather, if you work in sunny weather, the fibers could break and damage the entire work.

How much does a Panama Pile hat cost?

This category is the best of all, it is the top of Panama Hat, the cost depends on the grades or quality you want to choose, rather your budget to invest, this type of hat is for life, the more grades a hat has the finer it will be, and the cost will also be higher.

When you buy a hat from this range, you are supporting this community that follows the Pile tradition and history

Curious fact:

80% of the people in this community dedicate themselves to making ultra-fine hats.

Preserve the ancestral tradition for decades where 5 out of 10 people who make up a family must learn to weave, which allows this culture to be kept alive, despite being little valued at the national level, but foreigners are willing to pay thousands of dollars for get one.

Where was the finest and most expensive hat made in Pile sold?

Como ecuatorianos y artesanos nos enorgullece exaltar que hace dos años vendimos uno de los sombreros más finos del mundo con 60 puntos por pulgada (La maxima calidad) hecho a mano durante 12 meses por una artesana, mujer de 36 años residente de Pile, con destino España y fue valorado en el mercado internacional en más de $10.000 Dolares Americanos con Certificado de Origen y Autenticidad Ecuador.

As Ecuadorians and artisans, we are proud to exalt that two years ago we sold one of the finest hats in the world with 60 points per inch (the highest quality) handmade for 12 months by an artisan, a 36-year-old woman from Pile, destined for Spain and was valued in the international market at more than $10,000 US Dollars with a Certificate of Origin and Authenticity Ecuador.