A hero apt to look silly in special headgear (5,3)
I believe the answer is:
opera hat
'special headgear' is the definition.
'opera hat' can be an answer for 'headgear' (opera hat is a kind of headgear). I'm not certain of the 'special' bit.
'a hero apt to look silly' is the wordplay.
'to look silly' indicates an anagram (I've seen this in other clues).
'a'+'hero'+'apt'='aheroapt'
'aheroapt' anagrammed gives 'OPERA-HAT'.
'in' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for opera hat that I've seen before include "Lid that collapses" , "that can be altered to flatter profile" , "collapsible accessory - atop him surely?" , "garment in theatre?" , "Formal theatre wear" .)