Crossword Genius

Old-fashioned fop helping the helmsman with his hair (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

coxcomb

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'old-fashioned fop' is the definition.
'coxcomb' can be an answer for 'fop' (coxcomb is a kind of fop). I am unsure of the 'old-fashioned' bit.

'helping the helmsman with his hair' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'helmsman' could be 'cox' (coxswain on a boat) and 'cox' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'comb' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for coxcomb that I've seen before include "Fleshy red crest on a cock's head" , "Fool" , "Vain or conceited person" , "Fop - fleshy outgrowth on a cockerel's head" , "rather vain fellow" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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