Panama in need of some pampering

QI have a Panama hat by Homero Ortega from Cuenca in Ecuador, which I purchased some years ago while I was in the country. The hat has been very well used for a number of years and has some staining and a general yellowing of the toquilla fibre. Can you advise the best course of action to take to

restore it to something close to its former glory?

DL, West Sussex

AAll Panama hats discolour with time, due to the sunlight and the natural ageing process of the palm. Panama hats are best kept in a box in a dry, dark room. Dirty marks can often be removed using a traditional rubber eraser or by gently wiping a damp cloth or baby wipe over the area. Lock & Co Hatters say that unless the main body of the hat is cracking there is no need to replace such a hat and that you should wear it with pride as a much-loved item. The discolouration cannot be removed as it is natural patination.