In 1898, the United States sent 50,000 Panama-hatted soldiers to the Caribbean to fight in the Spanish- American War. If the rise of the Panama hat was a picture show, it would be a long one: photos ...

The pinta’o hat is part of the typical attire of Panama for men, women and children. “Anyone can wear the pinta'o hat. The farmer uses it to protect themselves from the sun and a singer uses ...

Brent Black sells Panama hats that take 1,000 hours to make, about the same amount of work to pay for them, and all but float off your head. BTW: They don't come from Panama.

Panama hats are uniquely Ecuadorean, despite their curious misnomer. The term “Panama hat” has been in use since at least the 1830s, and came about because the hats were often sold in trading ...

Despite their name, Panama hats are actually made in Ecuador. The few remaining master weavers get little recognition -- and even less money -- for headwear that can be sold for thousands of ...