The Panama hat: frontrunner at Roland-Garros
Casual but elegant, the panama hat has been an indispensable of the Roland-Garros stands for decades. Quick study of this Parisian tournament mythical accessory, a must that will not go unnoticed in the stadium...although largely absent this week with the current weather forecast!
Postponed for a few months because of the pandemic, the Parisian French Open will finally take place from September 21st to October 11th, three weeks of intensive sport emotions. The opportunity for our editors to review an accessory inseparable from the tournament: the Panama hat. Real “ace” of Roland-Garros, this iconic hat doubtlessly has the advantage among the stands.
Roland-Garros and the Panama hat: a winning doubles
When it is first introduced in the stadium in the seventies, this hat exclusively belongs to the Presidential Tribune and is offered to the guests of the French Tennis Federation (FFT) President. Then in 1987 it is democratized by the launch of the Roland-Garros brand, making it available-for-sell just like T-shirts, towels, big fluorescent yellow tennis ball or other goodies.
“Panama mon amour” / “The Love Song of the Panama Hat” / “O Panama! My Panama!” could nowadays be the motto of many French Open spectators. A must at the event, this smart hat is conquering each and every of the tournament seating rows. While they cannot work on their footwork like the athletes, visitors endeavor to work on their fashion to shine in the stands. For a perfect style with a French je-ne-sais-quoi, the Panama hat – beyond its mainstream primary function to shield from the sun – has become a cult accessory. Which celebrities adopted, showing off yearly on the great courts with THE hat, therefore assuring both its visibility and promotion on the TV screens.
If you want to learn more about the panama hat, read our article on the secrets of its manufacture.
Look branded “Roland”: Rolex and panama hat, the Grand Slam
I am convinced that this year is unlike any other, and if the weather allows for it the Panama hat will steal the competing players’ limelight. Besides the tennis lovers, the Parisian high society understood years ago that one had to come to the event to be “seen”. So let us forget the Roland-Garros total look and casually put on some new products of the brand (official online Store at https://store.rolandgarros.com/en/ ). We adopt the “Beau Joueur” sweat available in navy blue and white (€ 70) or the ecru blouse with short sleeves and clay central band (€ 60).
To accessorize and elegantly finish the look, I suggest a selection of watches from the new 2020 Rolex pieces. Revisited this year, the Oyster Perpetual flaunts innovative colorful lacquered dials, such as the coral red or forest green ones which will blend in harmoniously with the iconic French Open colors. With a 36 mm diameter, these steel references intended for women’s wrists carry the “Superlative Chronometer” certification (COSC and Rolex), as do the black and silver dials of the men’s versions.
Oyster Perpetual 36 – coral red dial: €5 250 – our technical sheet
Oyster Perpetual 36 – forest green dial: €5 250 – our technical sheet
Oyster Perpetual 41– black dial: €5 550 – our technical sheet
Oyster Perpetual 41 – silver dial: €5 550 – our technical sheet
Known for its robustness and polyvalence, this collection boasts of performances befitting of the demanding imperatives of the stadium clay tennis courts, similar in this aspect to the brand ambassador, champion Roger Federer.
Did you know? The Roland-Garros’ wine
Known and recognized for the quality of the wines they produce (and in particular the famous Haut Condissas which ranks better than the “1er grands crus” classified during blind tastings!), the Domaines Rollan de By provide Château Tour Seran wine 2011, served at the official lunches and dinners of this 2020 edition of Roland-Garros comes from the Domaines Rollan de By.
This Médoc Cru Bourgeois stands out by its strong structure, elegance and delightful freshness. The grapevines feed deep into an earth not dissimilar to the Pauillac Grands Crus: rich in biodiversity, surrounded by marsh lands and close to the Gironde estuary. Which explains the unique, generous and refined style of this exceptional wine.