What is a Panama "reinforced brim edge"?

[Davidson]

I often see this on ebay and on online sites. The ad text says the edge of the brim is reinforced - but not how. Does it mean turned under and sewn, or backwoven, or something else entirely, or nothing at all? Thanks!

 

[RBH]

I beleive it could mean all of those or it could have wire or some other stiff material to give the brim some stability.

 

[Shanghailander]

This is of interest to me. While in Sydney, Australia last November I splurged and went to Strand Hatters, near The Rocks. I ended up buying not a Panama, but a Balibuntal. It has a very thin, flat, type of wire or malleable metal inside the brim edge.

I was surprised to find out later the darn thing was apparently made in the USA.

After travelling around Australia and New Zealand, the hat ended up in the closet awaiting the Northern Hemisphere Summer. I just took it out the other day and was disappointed to find the brim is slightly warped (not just the edge, but one sector of the brim - previously the whole thing was quite crisply flattened, all the way around.)

Greg

 

[Panamabob]

I'm in agreement with RBH. It could be backwoven, sewn, but may have a wire edge.

 

[cookie]

Reinforced Crowns

It is usually a type of stick on linen/cotton type material that covers the soft inner edge of the hat.

 

[cookie]

Balibuntals

This is of interest to me. While in Sydney, Australia last November I splurged and went to Strand Hatters, near The Rocks. I ended up buying not a Panama, but a Balibuntal. It has a very thin, flat, type of wire or malleable metal inside the brim edge.

I was surprised to find out later the darn thing was apparently made in the USA.

After travelling around Australia and New Zealand, the hat ended up in the closet awaiting the Northern Hemisphere Summer. I just took it out the other day and was disappointed to find the brim is slightly warped (not just the edge, but one sector of the brim - previously the whole thing was quite crisply flattened, all the way around.)

Greg

They used to sell great Balibuntals around the drugstores/chemists for AUD30 but no more...Strand Hatters is the place. Eventually the wire gives up as well from all the punishment.