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TODAY'S BELOVEED ITEMS

Hat

A type of headwear. It serves to protect the head from temperature changes, falling objects, and other elements, and is broadly divided into two types: "hats" and "caps."

▶Related Q&A | Types of hats, your summer essential, and how to properly care for them

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As mentioned in the main text, the "Panama straw (toquilla straw)" used to make Panama hats is native to Ecuador, not Panama. Furthermore, the Panama hat itself is based on a hat that has been worn and loved in Ecuador for many years. So why is it called a "Panama hat" and not an "Ecuadorian hat"?



The key factor is Panama's geographical location , specifically its position on the isthmus—the narrowest point between the North and South American continents.
In the past, when traveling between the western side of South America and the east coasts of Europe and America, the isthmus served as a transit point for people and goods, where they would temporarily unload their land. This is what is now Panama. Therefore, there is a theory that this hat, which actually originates in Ecuador in northwestern South America, was simply named as "Panama-made" due to this simplistic assumption.

However, the most plausible theory seems to be that the role of the Isthmus of Panama evolved with a massive project: the construction of the Panama Canal. This long-term project, which France began in 1880 but abandoned at one point, and was finally completed by the United States in 1914, involved a vast number of people from many countries. Amidst all this, interest grew in the hats worn by construction workers from Ecuador to cope with the heat. Western engineers also liked the comfort of these hats, and when they took them back to their home countries, they popularized them as "the hats that contributed to the completion of the Panama Canal"—the Panama hats .


There are various theories, but in any case, although the final processing into the shape of a hat is often done in Europe or America, the weaving process remains uniquely Ecuadorian, and the finer the weave, the more luxurious the hat. A hat woven by a national treasure-class master is said to be as delicate and supple as washi paper, and can cost several million yen.

Text by Takahiro Iino

Takahiro Iino: After graduating from university, he worked for a major steel manufacturer before becoming an independent fashion journalist and researcher. He writes about men's clothing in general, including dress shoes and suits, and discusses topics from the perspective of someone with business experience. He also teaches modern and contemporary fashion history at a vocational school and appears on and supervises television programs, making him a well-known figure in men's fashion in general. His books include "Enjoying Dress Shoes: From the First Step to Mastery," "Enjoying Dress Clothing: Choosing an Outfit That Suits Your Body and Mind" (Asahi Shimbun Publications), and "A Comprehensive Guide to Shoe Polishing and Care for Long-Lasting Shoes" (Ikeda Shoten).

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Photo: ISETAN MEN'S net
Text: Takahiro Iino

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Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1st Floor = Seasonal Goods & Hats
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