Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-30
PANAMA HATS THIS YEAR.
Expected to Be Even More Fashionable
Than Last Summer.
From the New York Times.

From the New York Times.
The Panama hat, which enjoyed much
vogue last year, will from present indi-
cations enjoy greater popularity this sum-
mer. AS the demand exceeded the supply
of the best class of these hats last year
SO much so that it was almost impossible
during even the middle of the season to
secure one without paying double the price
asked when they were first placed on the
market-dealers have ordered them in large
lots and 1t is improbable that any one desir-
ing them will be taxed the high prices
which were prevalent last year.
The Panama may be the popular hats
Of this season, though on this account
many who wore them last year are likely
to forsake them. These persons will adopt
some other kind Of straw, but they are
confined to small number. They will. it
is thought, favor the wide-brim hat with
plain and colored bands. According to
dealers. the Panama hat has come to stay
About two decades ago it enjoyed some
vogue. but not to the extent Of last sum-
mer. The young men Of twenty years ago
ignored them for the reason that they
were not blocked in a suitable shape. The
wearers at that time were mostly middle
aged and elderly men.
The Panama for the young man which
win find much favor is the "neglige" hat.
A good and serviceable one may be obtain
ed at a price ranging from $40 to $25. 1t
is made of very pliable straw, and may
be formed by the wearer into any shape
desirable. Though the demand for the
Panama, 1t is expected, will exceed that of
last year, the supply will be greater and
the price lower. One concern with a num-
Der of stores on Broadway has taken Or
ders for nearly 5000 hats, the customers
paying from $40 to s25. During the month
of January this firm received orders for
1000 hats. Deposits were paid; and in
short time every available inch of space
in the shops was taken up with the stor-
age of these hats. Many Of the young men
also are buying their hats on the INSTALL
ment plan, beginning in January and pay
ing a dollar or two each week.
Some Panama hats can be had for as
high as $500. One of the leading hatters
has on display Panama hat in a jar Of
water to show that 1t will not discolor.
The high-priced hats are made by natives
of Ecuador from grass obtainable in that
country It requires several months to
braid these hats IT can only be done prop
erly while the, devils falling. The work is
done with the straw under water. and
sometimes two women are engaged in
braidfng 1t. InIone hat on show in Broad
way window there are $500 yards of straw.
1t required EIGHTEEN months to weave it,
and two women were working on it during
this time. while the dew was falling.
Panama hats.H arranged in different
shapes and decorated: with simple trim
ming, are alFp'tt 70 be seen in millinery
them in larsa Numbers this year The
Panama hatsIWhsp it reaches this coun-
| try, does NOT look like the article it is
| containing. handreds "nested" together
The duty is about eP5 per cent. which makes
paid pal tor the sa1iAIf in the producing coun-
| tries. agET ...a
limitations of. the real Panama are Of
| fered at lower prices. They are made -of
| grass grown in the West Indies They re-
| tail here at Eom 80 to s..