Rather like champagne, there is only one recognised official Panama hat. These are the UNESCO certified hats made in Cuenca city in Ecuador. The most renown hats are made in the village of Montecristi. However there are only about 2000 hats produced annually. This gives rise to imitations or fakes made in other parts of the world.

So here are some tips to spot a genuine Panama hat.

So, here are some tips to spot a genuine Panama hat:

• Feel the material: Imitation hats are made from raffia, paper or even plastic or poor quality straws like Iraca. Genuine Panama hats have a smooth feeling as they are made of only the Toquilla straw which grow exclusively on the coastal towns of Equador.

• Look for the rose pattern: If there is a a circular rose pattern at the crown of the hat then it is genuine as this how hand-weaving begins. Imitations have a square or a triangle on the top centre.

• Smell the hat: A genuine Panama hat emanates a distinct flowery scent because it is made from Toquilla straw, a short-stemmed palm cultivated in equatorial humid and tropical coastal areas