Panama Hat Purists Furious After Discovery That Most Panamas Are Made in Ecuador

The haberdashery world was rocked this week by a revelation that veteran hat enthusiasts have called 'devastating,' 'unconscionable,' and 'something I already knew but chose to ignore': Panama hats are, and have always been, made in Ecuador. The crisis was precipitated by a viral social media post from a tourist in Cuenca who photographed a sign at a toquilla straw weaving workshop reading 'Welcome to the birthplace of the Panama hat — Ecuador.' The post, captioned 'wait WHAT,' has been shared 47,000 times. 'I have been wearing a Panama hat for thirty years,' said collector Reginald Tuck, visibly shaken. 'I have told people at parties that it is a Panama hat. I have described the weaving traditions of Panama. I have never been to either Panama or Ecuador, but I had committed to the Panama narrative.' Historians note that the misnomer originated during the California Gold Rush, when the hats were shipped through Panama and acquired the name by geographical association. The hats themselves are woven from toquilla palm by artisans in Ecuador, where the craft holds UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status. 'This is like finding out French fries are from Belgium,' said Tuck. 'Which they also are. My entire worldview is a lie built on hats and potatoes.' The International Hat Association has proposed a compromise, suggesting the hats be officially renamed 'Ecuadorian Panamas,' a designation that satisfies no one. Meanwhile, Ecuador's ambassador to the UK issued a gracious statement noting that 'we are happy for the world to enjoy our hats under any name, though it would be nice to get credit occasionally.'