Why are Panama hats so expensive?

Hats have become a garment of continuous use, by society around the world, they are made in different materials:

Felt hat
Toquilla straw hat
Arrow cane hat
Wool hat

The most recognized is the fine toquilla straw hat, misnamed in the international market as the Panama Hat.

This garment originates from Ecuador, a small country in South America, it has great natural and ancestral wealth, resulting in a large population that is dedicated to the production of artisan products with raw materials from the country.

To make a Panama hat, many experienced artisans intervene, who have made this 100% manual craft, below.

The Five Reasons why the toquilla hat is expensive

Grades

All fine hats are classified by degrees or points in an inch, named after the intersection of two cross-shaped straws, which gives rise to each fabric extending in great rows.

In the original Panama it starts from 10 to 60 points, the more degrees a hat has, it will simply be finer and more expensive.

Manufacturing time

A high quality hat could take from 3 weeks to a year to be made, a whole process by hand, made by master craftsmen, work that is only done in Montecristi – Ecuador

Certificates

A Montecristi hat to verify its originality, it must have:

Certification of Origin
Unesco Certification
Authenticity Certification

Color and Fabric

The color of the original is beige, this is obtained over time, when the hat is fresh and freshly made, in some cases it does not have the color mentioned above, it may have a slightly white color, this is because it does not take long of clothing.

The uniformity of the fabric is very important, that is, it has to be even.

Finished

It refers to the finish, its quality, its softness, its way is to see a handmade jewel made with the best toquilla straw fibers from the Pile community, a hat that can last for decades with you, it is a good investment.