Respect, care and proper handling will insure the integrity of the shape and the life of your hat. A well cared for hat can be handed down as heirloom sculpture.

Handle your hat by reaching to the point where the brim meets the crown. This will keep the shape of the crown and brim intact. Pinching the crown will eventually damage the shape and hat body. Straw hats will crack with repeated pinching of the crown, and even felts will weaken. Handling the hat on the edge of the brim will distort the shape and also weaken the integrity of the hat. If your hat develops a crack or tear, please do not attempt to glue or repair it. Return it to us for restoration.

Example of handling: Place your hand on the hat as close to the trim as possible with four fingers on top and the thumb underneath the brim. To tighten your hat on your head, use an upward and downward motion to pull the hat down in the front over your eyes and then pull the hat down in the back.

Straw hats are intended for sun. All of our fine Panama straw hats are shaped with a water-based agent that allows the hat to breathe. If your straw hat gets wet, use a clean cloth to absorb as much water as possible and place it on the hatjack, or if hatjack is not available, place it upside down on crown to dry. Usually the hat will return to its original shape within a couple of days. If not, return it to us for re-blocking.