Outer fabric composition: 100% Toquilla Palm Weave

Inner fabric composition: Unlined

Craftspersonship
A genuine Panama hat is handcrafted in Ecuador using the toquilla palm and requires skill and precision. A Panama hat is a true display of artisanship. We want your Helen Kaminski accessories to be treasured forever, but we understand that a lifetime of love requires some care, repair, and restoration along the way. 

Handling
The biggest mistake that people make when handling a Panama hat is pinching it by the crown; The oil from your fingertips can weaken the fibres over time, causing them to split and fray. Always pick up your hat using the inside of the crown and support the brim carefully.

When resting your hat on a flat surface, place it facing up (crown down) or, make sure the brim is elevated and supported to maintain its brim shape. 

Maintaining
Avoid oil, ink, cream or any other semi-permanents likely to stain your Panama hat. If you do get something on your Panama hat, try to remove it as quickly as possible before it has time to absorb into the fibres.

Do not use chemical cleaners as this may stain and cause discolouration.

Re-shaping
Over time, a Panama hat may need to be reshaped. To restore hats to their original best shape, use the steam from an iron or clothes steamer to carefully reshape a crushed hat.

Be careful not to over-steam or the entire hat can lose its shape. Position the steamer about 5 cm away and steam the outer and inner sections until the weave is slightly damp and soft. Gently stuff the crown with plain acid free tissue paper to fill out to the desired shape and leave it in a well-ventilated place to dry with the crown and brim supported.

If you do need to straighten the brim of your hat, you can iron it on a very low heat with a cloth between the iron and the hat to prevent the delicate fibres of the hat from burning.

Storing

• Store your hat in a box or on a clean surface.
• Make sure the hat is in a ventilated space away from direct light and moisture.
• If you’re not using a hatbox with a support, make sure the crown is supported by stuffing it with acid free tissue paper. Note: avoid printed or coloured paper as it may transfer onto your hat over time.
• Ensure the brim is not pressed against any hard surfaces. The key here is to ensure your brim keeps its shape and doesn’t sink down or flatten.
• If your hat is rollable, don’t keep it rolled for prolonged periods of time as this will make it harder to get the creases out

You can easily make a hat stand at home by covering a cylinder or by creating a hollow cylindrical shape from cardboard and adding acid free tissue paper on the top end where the hat will rest. The height of the hat stand needs to be taller than the brim angle (so the hat brim does not touch the surface).