Giant Pith Helmet Thread of Doom

[indycop]

If I can, I will try and post a shot or 2 of it soon.

Well? HURRY UP! and put on your jumanji outfit!

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Here in Los Angeles, mail carriers wear them (along with shorts) in the summer.

.

 

[Widebrim]

I think that Marine Corps rifle range NCOs still wear them (or at least I think they did when I first went in the service).[huh]

 

[Widebrim]

Here in Los Angeles, mail carriers wear them (along with shorts) in the summer.

.

Yes, but they're blue...

 

[Lone_Ranger]

Yes, but they're blue...

Around here, the official USPS helmets are white, and plastic.

 

[LordBest]

I wore mine a bit, until my family banned me from wearing it except in the tropics or on an archaeological dig. Rather a shame, I've never had a better summer hat.

 

[RBH]

Well? HURRY UP! and put on your jumanji outfit!

 

[BellyTank]

I have a few beautiful antique ones, haven't worn any of them in a while.
A bit out of place in Sweden, perhaps.

Pith helmets rule my Empire,


B
T

 

[Boodles]

Bananna Republic Pith

My BR pith must be about 25 years old. I bought it in the first BR shop I ever saw which was in Charleston, SC. Does yours have a clear plastic liner? I was always tempted to pull that out. Was it supposed to stay put?

 

[KILO NOVEMBER]

I'd love to have one, but at 7 3/4, I can't get one

I'd love to have one, but at 7 3/4, I can't get one. I had one of the style shown in the pictures of these posts when I was a boy. I must have got it at an army surplus store. I watched a lot of old Tarzan movies on TV on Saturdays.

What I'd really like is one of the African-style British pith helmets. Think Michael Caine in "Zulu", or the "The Man Who Would Be King" poster where Sean Connery is wearing one. They all seemed to be sold on the basis of "one-size-fits-most", unless, of course, your hat size is larger than 7 3/8.

In re hats and The Man Who Would Be King, in one scene Connery and Caine are drilling the men of Urheb. They are berating a group of trainees who couldn't possibly understand their English. At one point, Connery is standing next to a particularly inept prospect and says, "A good soldier doesn't think! He obeys! You there with the 5 1/2 hat size, you've got the makings of a real hero!"

 

[RBH]

My BR pith must be about 25 years old. I bought it in the first BR shop I ever saw which was in Charleston, SC. Does yours have a clear plastic liner? I was always tempted to pull that out. Was it supposed to stay put?

Here is a inside shot.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

I have a few beautiful antique ones,...

That's what I'm looking for. Might take me a while...

 

[rgraham]

I have several of them, but the one I wear is an old US military version. They are lightweight, and the ventilation can't be beat. It just sort of sits on your head like a small, floating umbrella. The sweatband is far from the body of the hat itself, lending to a free exchange of air. Frankly, you almost forget you have it on.

The new ones made in Viet Nam are plain junk. Heavy, and the sweatband is appropriately named. It makes your head sweat.

 

[Boodles]

Thanks for the photo

Here is a inside shot.

Thanks for the photo. Your BR pith and my own both have the clear plastic liner, same same. That plastic always makes me think hot! when I'm wearing the thing. When the weather cools some and we go walking/hiking, in the mountains or wherever, I like to wear the old BR pith along with Orvis "India Cloth" shirt and pants, my good old Bean brown leather boots and a home spun bamboo walking stick. That often gets the Patagonia crowd, including my wife who is nearly mortified to be seen with me, sort of spun up.

My favorite kayak hat is one of those old, but not really vintage, Eddie Bauer woven pith looking things with adjustable suspension. I love that thing.

 

[zetwal]

I know it's been mentioned somewhere before (in relation to corrugated sweatbands attachments no doubt) -

Check out the Borsalino (and other) piths in Campione's book, Il Capello da Uomo.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

That often gets the Patagonia crowd... sort of spun up.

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[cco23i]

I have one of the standard U.S issue one, I wear it mowing and drives my wife NUTS.[huh]

Scott

 

[KilroyCD]

I'd love to have one, but at 7 3/4, I can't get one. I had one of the style shown in the pictures of these posts when I was a boy. I must have got it at an army surplus store. I watched a lot of old Tarzan movies on TV on Saturdays.

What I'd really like is one of the African-style British pith helmets. Think Michael Caine in "Zulu", or the "The Man Who Would Be King" poster where Sean Connery is wearing one. They all seemed to be sold on the basis of "one-size-fits-most", unless, of course, your hat size is larger than 7 3/8.

In re hats and The Man Who Would Be King, in one scene Connery and Caine are drilling the men of Urheb. They are berating a group of trainees who couldn't possibly understand their English. At one point, Connery is standing next to a particularly inept prospect and says, "A good soldier doesn't think! He obeys! You there with the 5 1/2 hat size, you've got the makings of a real hero!"

This vendor has what they call the "big head version" of both the French and Indian style pith helmets. http://www.villagehatshop.com/pith_helmet.html

 

[Mike K.]

Pith Helmets?

I have an entire collection of them. My "beater" helmet is one of the African-style piths from Village Hat Shop. It's a decent helmet but the crown is a bit low. I also own one of the Wolseley pith helmets from What Price Glory...a really nice helmet. Currently I am on the lookout for one of the Indian-style helmets with the quilted cover. Below is my prize piece, an original 1930s Abercrombie & Fitch helmet in my size and in near perfect condition.

 

[RBH]

Does this vintage Abercrombie & Fitch panama sun hat count?