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Panama Hat

May 14, 2021 By In Hats No Comments
This version of the Panama Hat was sold from summer 1984-Summer 1985.
Summer 1986 with braided leather band.
Summer 1987, with brown grosgrain band.

There were three different versions of the Panama Hat; 1984/85 puggaree band, 1986 braided leather band, and 1987 grosgrain band.

From the 1985 catalogue: “When our most swashbuckling president wore his jauntiest star hat to oversee construction of the Panama Canal, every American male suddenly had to have one. But, unlike Teddy Roosevelt himself, these stylish fellows had to get their Panamas from Ecuador. For the Panama got its name neither for its country of origin, nor the canal that made it famous–it’s so-called because North American sailors first discovered the Ecuadorian product on sale in Panama. Like all the finest Panamas these days, ours is hand-plaited in Ecuador of fibers from the jipijapa plant, then steamed and shaped right here in the USA.”

These photos from eBay May 2021 show a Panama Hat with a navy blue puggaree hatband. This variation is not shown in the catalogues.

About The Author

Robyn Adams
Robyn’s fascination with Banana Republic began in 1984 when her Alaskan adventurer father began buying their clothing and giving her their catalogs. She loved the clothes, and as an artist, she was drawn to the illustrations. Robyn went on to study illustration at an art college in Banana Republic’s hometown of San Francisco, CA, and she worked for years as a background artist for animation. She is now based in Oakland, CA and works as a graphic designer and illustrator. She has been collecting and archiving at Abandoned Republic since 2011.