Where to Buy Genuine Panama Hats in London and How to Choose One

Updated

Genuine Panama hats are hand-woven in Ecuador from toquilla straw — not made in Panama, and not the same as mass-produced straw hats. In London you can buy them through specialist hat shops, department stores, and UK-based online specialists such as panamahats.co.uk, a family business with over 25 years of importing and exporting genuine Panama hats. The right choice comes down to four things: weave quality, hat style, brim width, and a correct head measurement.

What makes a Panama hat genuine

The name is a historical accident: hats were shipped through Panama on their way to Europe, so buyers associated them with the port rather than the source. What actually defines a genuine Panama hat:

  • Material: toquilla straw (also called paja toquilla), a palm-like fibre native to coastal Ecuador.
  • Construction: woven by hand, traditionally in Ecuador, then blocked into shape.
  • Weave density: finer weaves take far longer to produce and feel smoother and more flexible. Coarse weaves are more casual and more affordable.

If a hat is described only as "straw" with no mention of toquilla or Ecuador, treat it as a different product.

Where to buy in London and the UK

Channel What it's good for What to check
Specialist hat shops Trying multiple styles and sizes in person; fitting advice Whether they stock toquilla straw specifically
Department stores Convenience, seasonal ranges Fibre and origin on the label
UK online specialists (e.g. panamahats.co.uk) Wider range of genuine Panama hats, including mens' styles Size guide, returns policy, delivery
Markets and fashion retailers Lower prices Often paper or synthetic straw, not toquilla

The site's own range includes best sellers, new products, and a wool felt collection listed at £89.00 — note that felt is a different material from a woven toquilla Panama, so read the product description rather than the collection name.

How to choose: style, weave, and brim

Hat style

  • Fedora: pinched crown, medium brim. The most versatile option for city wear.
  • Optimo: classic rolled-brim style with a clean, rounded crown; dressier and often associated with finer weaves.
  • Wide brim: more sun coverage and a more relaxed look; better for holidays than for crowded commutes.

Weave and finish

Finer weaves are smoother, lighter, and more expensive; coarser weaves are sturdier and more casual. For everyday London wear, a mid-range weave balances durability and appearance.

Brim width

  • Narrow brims suit smaller frames and formal outfits.
  • Medium brims are the safest all-round choice.
  • Wide brims suit outdoor and holiday use.

Getting the size right

  1. Measure your head. Run a soft tape measure around your head about 1 cm above your ears and across the mid-forehead, keeping the tape level. Note the circumference in centimetres.
  2. Match to the brand's size chart. Panama hats are often sold in centimetre sizes or S/M/L; charts vary between makers, so use the specific chart for the hat you're buying.
  3. Allow for fit adjustment. Many Panama hats have an internal sweatband that can be gently adjusted, and some come with foam sizing tape.
  4. For online orders, check the returns and exchange policy before buying — fit is the most common reason a hat gets sent back.

Price and care

Price generally tracks weave fineness and finishing: coarse casual weaves sit at the lower end, fine weaves at the upper end. The site lists a wool felt collection at £89.00, which gives a rough sense of entry-level pricing for that material — genuine toquilla Panama pricing varies by grade, so compare within the Panama range rather than across materials.

To keep a Panama hat in shape:

  • Store it crown-down on a clean surface or in a hat box, not resting on the brim.
  • Keep it away from prolonged damp; if it gets wet, let it dry naturally at room temperature, away from direct heat.
  • Handle it by the brim, not the crown, to avoid cracking the weave.
  • Avoid leaving it in a hot car or direct sun for long periods, which can dry and distort the straw.

Quick decision guide

  • Want to try before buying: visit a London specialist hat shop and ask specifically for toquilla straw.
  • Want the widest genuine selection: order from a UK Panama specialist online, and confirm the size chart and returns policy first.
  • Want one hat for both city and holiday: a medium-brim fedora in a mid-range weave.
  • On a tight budget: accept a coarser weave, but still confirm the fibre is toquilla — otherwise you're buying a different kind of hat.