The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-07-01
PANAMA HATS THIS YEAR.

[From the New York Tmes.l
The Panama hat. which enjoyed much
vogue last year, will from present indf-
cations enjoy greater popularity this
summer. AS the. demand exceeded the
supply of the best class OF these hats
last year-so much SO that it was al
most impossible during even the middle
OF the season to secure one without pay
ing the double price asked when they
were first placed on the market-dealers
have ordered them in large lots, and It
is improbable that anyone desiring them
will be taxed the high prices which
were prevalent last year.
The Panama may be the popular hat OF
this season, Though SOn this account
likely to forsake them. These persons will
adopt some other kind of straw, but
they are confined to a small number.
They will. it is thought. favor the wide
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 summer. The young
men of 20 years ago ignored them, for
the reason that they were not blocked
in suitable shape. The wearers at
that time were mostly middle-aGed and
elderly men.
The Panama for the young man which
will find much favor Is the "negliger
hat A good and servfceable one may
be obtained at price ranging from SO
to $25. 1t is made of very pliable straw.
any shape desirable. Though the de-
mand for the Panama, it is expected,
will exceed that of last year, the sup
ply will be greater and the price lower.
One concern with number Of stores on
Broadway has taken orders for nearly
5000 hats, the customers paying from
SO to SIS During the month Of January
this firm received orders for 1000 hats.
Deposits were paid, and in a short time
every available inch of space within
the shops was taken up with the storage
OF these hats. Many of the young men
also are buying their hats on the in
stallment plan, beginning on January
and paying a dollar or two each week.
Some Panama hats can be had for as
high as $500. One of the leading hatters
had on display Panama hat in a jar
of water to show that it will not discolor.
The high-priced hats are made by ma
tives of Ecuador from grass obtainabltz
in that country. It requires several
months to braid these hats. It can only
be done properly while the dew Is fall
ing. The work is done with the straw
under water, and sometimes two women
are engaged in braiding it. In one hat
on show in a Broadway window there
are $500 yards Of straw. It required is
months to weave it, and two women
were working on 1t during this ti1ne.
while the dew was falling.
Panama hats, arranged In different
shapes and decorated with simple trim
ming, are also to be seen In the MILL
merry stores. Women will 1T is expected.
wear them in large numbers this year.
The Panama hat. as it reaches this
country. does not look like the article
1t Is later found to be- They arrive
in bales containing hundreds .nested'
together. The duty is about IS per cent,
which makes the price high In COM
par1son with what is paid for the hats
in the producing countries.
limitations of the real Panama are
offered at lower prices. They are made
OF grass grown in the West Indies. They
retail here at from 81 to IS.