I've only worn my Panama hat a few times because that black ribbon never seems to go with anything I would wear in the hot weather, which is decidedly casual. It always had a jarring effect (in my eyes).
A while back I decided to reblock the Panama and removed the black band -- and the sweat band. I then discovered how nice and natural the Panama looked all naked like that; the contours were no longer obstructed, and the beauty of the texture was more apparent. A perfect hat for the beach. I even liked how it felt without the sweat band so I haven't put either back in yet. It makes a great travel roll-up hat as well.
I'm aware that black Panama hat ribbons became the default style after some Queen died a long time ago. Was there ever a time when these hats were intended to be worn with no ribbon at all? When Panama hats were first invented, did they have either ribbon or sweat band, or were they au naturale like my reborn Panama?
Since summer is over in my part of the world, you have lots of time to think of an answer.
A while back I decided to reblock the Panama and removed the black band -- and the sweat band. I then discovered how nice and natural the Panama looked all naked like that; the contours were no longer obstructed, and the beauty of the texture was more apparent. A perfect hat for the beach. I even liked how it felt without the sweat band so I haven't put either back in yet. It makes a great travel roll-up hat as well.
I'm aware that black Panama hat ribbons became the default style after some Queen died a long time ago. Was there ever a time when these hats were intended to be worn with no ribbon at all? When Panama hats were first invented, did they have either ribbon or sweat band, or were they au naturale like my reborn Panama?
Since summer is over in my part of the world, you have lots of time to think of an answer.