Frances Solá-Santiago interviewed me for an article on Refinery29 about the history of the so-called Panama Hat:
The “Panama hat” — characterized by a circular shape, thick band, and straw material — has long been a summer fashion staple. But while the headgear is beloved for its functional design that protects wearers from the sun, what many of its fans don’t know is that the hat was not created in Panama. According to fashion historian Laura Beltrán-Rubio, the style was actually born in the region we know today as Ecuador, as well as Colombia, where it is called a “toquilla straw hat.”
How to cite (Chicago style)
Solá-Santiago, Frances. “Why The Panama Hat Needs A Rebranding.” Refinery29, 14 June 2022. https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2022/06/11013464/panama-hats-summer-history-origin.