The topee, also known as a pith helmet, is a cloth covered hard hat with a dome shape and wide brim. It provides moderate impact protection and shade, while remaining breathable. Originally made from the pith of the Sola plant, it was soaked in tea by British troops in South Africa for camouflage. Tops were popularized by German and British troops in the 1870s and remain a popular choice for exploring tropical climates.
Topee is another name for a pith helmet. This cloth covered hard hat has a distinct dome shape with a wide brim. The hat is designed to provide moderate impact protection to the head, as well as a significant amount of shade. This type of headgear is often depicted as a necessary accessory for jungle explorers.
Tops are also known as helmets, sun helmets, and safari helmets. This style of headgear became popular in Europe in the 1870s. There, German troops wore the helmet as a standard part of their military attire. British soldiers soon followed suit.
Sola, a native Indian swamp plant, is used to build topees. The pith of the plant is naturally white, so this helmet is always white in its original construction. To obscure the hat’s appearance, British troops fighting the Boer War in South Africa soak it in tea. This gave the top a more camouflaged appearance.
One of the biggest advantages of the top is its ability to provide protection and shade without sacrificing breathability. In hot and tropical climates, it is essential that the head stays cool. Pith is a very breathable material in itself. Holes were also drilled into the top of the helmet to further cool the wearer’s head.
Tops used as military dress outside of combat situations generally remain white with the addition of the appropriate insignia. A colored band may be wrapped around the hat to designate the officer’s military branch. A badge or other emblem applied to the hat may be used for the same purpose.
By World War I, caps were standard for military personnel on all sides of the war. This style of hat was also gaining popularity among civilians. Topees were worn by both men and women as an everyday dress for Westerners visiting tropical locations. This same style of helmet was used again in World War II, although the helmet was no longer made of pith at this time. Cork had replaced the pith, as a stronger element.
This type of hat is still worn today as part of the uniform for some military personnel. Tops are also available to civilians and remain a popular choice when exploring tropical climates. Although this style of hat is not considered a fashion choice for everyday wear, the image of a toe on a khaki-clad jungle explorer is still common.
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