isn’t that why you call them poopie suits?
Around the base where I worked they were called ‘pickle suits’. (I’ve heard the other, though.)
My friend, there is a difference between looking like a nerd (pith helmet) and a total dork (your monstrosity) and I still can’t make that leap, no matter how hot my head gets. One must have ones standards.
So… You just knot the corners of a handkerchief and wear that? No way that would make you look silly! 
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This thread reminds me of the story of Orson Welles’ first time on the radio. It was 1934, Orson was 18, and he and Joseph Cotten were rehearsing a dramatic show about a rubber plantation.
At one point someone had to say a certain line, and it always cracked Welles up. At some point, Cotten began cracking up, drawing a nasty lecture from the director for both of them.
The line was something about…"barrels and barrels of pith!"
The director got his though. On air day, the actor reciting the line didn’t get past “barrels and barrels” before the entire cast and crew started howling. Never even got to pith.
Pith is actually a plant matter like cork, out of which the helmets were once made.
It’s also used figuratively, to mean the essence or core of something. A *pithy *statement is short and to the point.
I knew I was gonna see Cleese when I clicked that link! I just knew it!:D:D:D
Quasi
PS: Given the knowledge where our friend QtM, works, I’d say that if it were me, I’d do whatever it took to keep cool/comfortable. 
Erin is that you?
(Today)? As I say, they seem to be worn by actors in 1930’s movies-if they are so great (in keeping your head cool), then why aren’t they common today?
I saw a mailmain wearing one of the USPO issue helmets-it looked cheap, and ahd no lining.
I think it has to do with what you’re willing to do to keep cool versus what is stylish?
If you read one of my posts above, you will have noted I wrote that I had the “safari shirt”, the shorts and the vest.
Okay, if I were to wear all three including the helmet, I think someone may ask me where I left my elephants, being that I live in West Georgia! 
But if I spent a lot of time outdoors under a blistering sun?
Damn right, I’d do whatever it took to stay cool in the head, including the wearing of a pith helmet, solar-powered or not. And let 'em laugh!
Not sure, but those things look like they’d also keep your neck from getting sunburned.
The only other thing I know that can prevent a neck sunburn, is one of those French Foreign Legion Caps (well, that and sunscreen, of course!), and even those have been “brought back” in the back of baseball caps!
Q
I cannot answer for modern “explorers” lack of fashion sense.
All of us on the journey through life are “explorers”.
How we dress is immaterial.
Sorry, DrFidelius. I don’t mean to be “contrary” or obstinate, and I do apologize if I mis-read your post.
(Meaning that these days, you may need to explain to me what you meant! :))
Thanks!
Quasi
I was giving an explanation to Ralph as to why he is not seeing pith helmets on modern explorers. As I said, I cannot answer for their lack of fashion sense.
Personally, I believe Ralph is not hanging out with the right class of explorers, or he would see many more pith helmets, gaiters, and goggles.
My apology stands, DrFidelius.
I stand corrected and I am also guilty of not “grasping” what was meant.
Sorry!
Q
I wear my (Zulu/Boer War-style) pith helmet out hunting sometimes, because it does a marvellous job of keeping me cool, it doesn’t get in the way when trying to sight up a rifle, and it’s got a certain historical charm to it.
You can bet if I was an explorer in the Sir Richard Branson/Sir Ranulph Fiennes vein, damn right I’d be wearing a 1930s style pith helmet, many-pocketed vest, and occasionally dropping Swahili words and phrases into conversation.