Back to basics.

This is the sweat-stained Panama that started this adventure. I've tried to replace it a couple of times, but failed. It has patina.

Pithy Pop

Yep. It's a pith helmet, made by Dorfman-Pacific from an open-weave, stiff paper fabric.

I love this hat. Great sun protection, very cool, excellent evaporative action, and it has an adjustable leather sweatband with a removable terry-cloth brow pad. It's the perfect hat for Texas summers, with only one drawback...

...unless you're a Postal Carrier, it looks kinda pretentious, which I hate. I may BE pretentious, but I hate to look it.