Crossword Genius

Work period top protection wear for the Met? (5,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

opera hat

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

'top protection wear for the met?' is the definition.
(as in the Metropolitan Opera)

'work period' is the wordplay.
'work' becomes 'opera' (musical work).
'period' becomes 'hat' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'opera'+'hat'='OPERA-HAT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for opera hat that I've seen before include "collapsible accessory - atop him surely?" , "Lid that collapses" , "garment in theatre?" , "Formal theatre wear" , "that can be altered to flatter profile" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app