The finest hat in the world
For over two centuries this simple straw hat is the subject of desire of thousands of people from all over the world.
Worn by rich and famous, also by not-so-rich and ordinary ones the hat has its origins from Ecuador, where in area of Guayaquil grows the toquilla plant, which leaves are used as a material for making the hat, called 'Panama' from the country, which made it worldwide famous.
The Straw
Carludovica palmata

The plant, which grows in the western hills of Guayaquil, is boiled, then dried and taken to the weavers, located in numerous villages near the coast.
The best manufacturers are in Montecristi and Cuenca.
eBay hats
a%3A21%3A%7Bs%3A4%3A%22cat1%22%3Bs%3A2%3A%22-1%22%3Bs%3A4%3A%22cat2%22%3Bs%3A2%3A%22-1%22%3Bs%3A4%3A%22cat3%22%3Bs%3A2%3A%22-1%22%3Bs%3A7%3A%22display%22%3Bs%3A25%3A%22timeleft%2Cphoto%2Ccurrentbid%22%3Bs%3A7%3A%22minBids%22%3Bs%3A1%3A%220%22%3Bs%3A10%3A%22numresults%22%3Bs%3A1%3A%225%22%3Bs%3A6%3A%22period%22%3Bs%3A3%3A%22120%22%3Bs%3A10%3A%22pricerange%22%3Bs%3A1%3A%220%22%3Bs%3A5%3A%22query%22%3Bs%3A10%3A%22Panama+Hat%22%3Bs%3A11%3A%22searchDescr%22%3Bs%3A3%3A%22Yes%22%3Bs%3A10%3A%22sellertype%22%3Bs%3A6%3A%22seller%22%3Bs%3A11%3A%22seller_cat1%22%3Bs%3A2%3A%22-1%22%3Bs%3A11%3A%22seller_cat2%22%3Bs%3A2%3A%22-1%22%3Bs%3A11%3A%22seller_cat3%22%3Bs%3A2%3A%22-1%22%3Bs%3A14%3A%22seller_minBids%22%3Bs%3A1%3A%220%22%3Bs%3A17%3A%22seller_numresults%22%3Bs%3A1%3A%225%22%3Bs%3A17%3A%22seller_pricerange%22%3Bs%3A1%3A%220%22%3Bs%3A18%3A%22seller_searchDescr%22%3Bs%3A2%3A%22No%22%3Bs%3A15%3A%22seller_timeleft%22%3Bs%3A3%3A%22all%22%3Bs%3A4%3A%22show%22%3Bs%3A6%3A%22simple%22%3Bs%3A8%3A%22timeleft%22%3Bs%3A3%3A%22all%22%3B%7D

Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Montecristi Hats
the best ones

It takes 2 days to three months to make a hat.
The finests Montecristi hats called 'Superfinos' can hold water when turned upside down. After rolling up , they recover to the original shape without any scratch.
For Man only ?
Not at all !
Everyone enjoys wearing the Panama hat.

Among the actors you will find Harisson Ford, Sean Connery, and recently ...
Monica Bellucci ( Dubai, March 2009 ).