A fine Panama hat is woven to last for decades — but only if you look after it. The good news is that care is simple. A few habits will keep your hat clean, crisp, and ready for every summer to come.
Everyday handling
Pick your hat up by the front and back of the brim, not by pinching the crown. Handling it by the crown is the fastest way to weaken the weave and misshape the peak over time.
Cleaning
Dust the hat regularly with a soft, dry brush, working counter-clockwise around the crown and brim. For a small mark, dab gently with a lightly damp cloth and let it air-dry away from direct heat. Never soak a Panama hat or set it near a radiator — heat makes the straw brittle.
Reshaping
Toquilla straw is resilient. If a crease softens, steam the hat gently over a kettle and re-form the crown with your hands. Work slowly and let it dry in shape.
Storing
Store your hat crown-down on its brim, or better, in a hat box away from sunlight and damp. Sunlight fades the straw; damp invites mildew. Never rest weight on the crown.
Traveling
Unless a hat is specifically designed to roll, do not roll it — a fine Montecristi should be carried in a rigid case or worn. Here is why the finest weaves should never be coiled. On a plane, wear it or place it crown-down in the overhead bin.
Treated well, a Carranza hat only gets better with the years. See the collection and start one of your own.
