Hand Woven Gardening Hat

A sturdy hat is an essential tool for any gardener. Hats do a wonderful job of protecting skin from sunburn. A well-made hat also keeps rain off of the neck and out of the eyes. Our gardening hats have a four inch brim that offers portable shade and helps prevent sunstroke by keeping the wearer cool.

Some of the best hats are hand made by the Purepecha Indians of Mexico. These hats are handwoven from palm fronds, and their design reflects centuries of tradition and gradual improvement. Each hat is made with sustainable materials and purchased in a Fair Trade arrangement. Your purchase of this hat supports earth friendly farming techniques and supplies a sustainable job to artisans working in an underdeveloped part of the world.

Palm fronds are biodegradeable, and using them to produce clothing turns a waste product into a great gift. Palm fronds are also hypoallergenic. They grow without chemical fertilizers or pesticides, so these hats are a great choice for people who are sensitive to chemical exposure.

The tight weave pattern and natural material used on these hats helps them hold out more sunlight than other designs. Palm fronds are ideal for blocking dangerous UV light because they evolved to capture as much sunlight as possible. Our Hand Woven Garden Hats use this natural feature to offer a sun protection rating of UPF50+. These hats block both UVA and UVB radiation and they'll protect your scalp during long hours in the garden. They also breathe very well and allow sweat to evaporate easily.

History
These hats have an amazing story behind them. Palm Hats have been hand woven by a Native American tribe known as the Purepecha since the mid 16th century. The P'urhépecha were attacked by Spanish conquistadors looking for gold and nearly wiped out by disease in the early 1500’s. In 1530 the Spanish government sent Don Vasco de Quirago to govern the area, and he implemented benevolent policies to regain the trust of the people.

Don Vasco de Quirago funded schools and hospitals. He also brought skilled weavers, coopers, potters, and woodcarvers from Spain to teach the Purepecha. The skilled craftsmen were well received and their knowledge was passed on to eager apprentices who incorporated their own traditions. For nearly 500 years, the Purepecha have refined techniques to make the perfect palm hats. These hats are made from materials that are sustainably grown and the weave patterns include traditional designs. Each hat is unique, so the hat you order may look slightly different from the one shown above.

Sizes
Each hat comes with a Multi Sizing Stretchband that ensures a proper fit. We offer two sizes - Small / Medium, and Large / Extra Large. These sizes are equivalent to the following standard hat sizes:

S/M: 7 to 7 1/8
L/XL: 7 1/4 to 7 3/8

When ordering, please double check to make sure you've chosen the right hat size.