Floppy panama syndrome

[Pilgrim]

I have a moderate quality (and moderate price) Panama that's a pretty good hat, but the brim is so flexible that it doesn't hold its shape well. Rather than breaking from the crown at a 90 degree angle, it just curves out from the crown - and keeps doing so despite repeated attempts on my part to get a crisp break. It also barely flips up in back and down in front - more of a gradual curve. Overall, it's pretty hard to get a neat-looking brim on the thing. The crown holds its pinch OK, but the brim is a different matter.

Might I be able to do some kind of shaping trick? Might a straw stiffener help? (Seems like that would kind of defeat the flexibility which is a mark of panamas.)

I appreciate your thoughts, sugestions and BTDT's.