June
03
/ 2023
The iconic Panama hat entered public consciousness by gracing the heads of cherished film stars like Gary Cooper and Humphrey Bogart. But did you know that the Panama hat actually originated in Ecuador and is called the toquilla straw hat? Reclaiming its heritage has recently become a hot topic for artisans campaigning to change its name to reflect its true origins. The most popular urban myth claims it all began with a slip of the tongue made by President Theodore Roosevelt. During a 1906 visit to the Panama Canal, Roosevelt was photographed wearing a toquilla straw hat, a popular accessory amongst canal workers due to its sun-protective qualities. Legend has it that despite its Ecuadorian provenance, Roosevelt mistakenly referred to
