Hats, jewelry, accessories, home and apparel lines have sprung up for a ladies group that has its origins in a poem discovered by a woman a few years before her 50th birthday.
If you’ve ever seen groups of Red Hat ladies at the race track, in a parade or on a cruise, you might have wondered, “what’s up with the red hats and purple dresses?”
Red Hat Origins
The Red Hat Society was founded in 1998 by Sue Ellen Cooper, who was inspired by Jenny Joseph’s poem, Warning, that when she gets old she’ll wear purple and a red hat that clashes. It’s a poem about having fun after life’s responsibilities have been fulfilled.
Today, the little group that met for tea parties in Fullerton, California, has grown into the largest women’s social group in the world. There are over 1.5 million members in the US and 25 other countries, and even an online group.
Red Hat Ideals
The purpose of the society is to encourage women to form lasting friendships as they move into their 50’s and beyond. Women under 50 are encouraged to join, but wear pink hats and lavender dresses until they reach their 50th birthday. After that, they’re full fledged Red Hatters and have the privilege of wearing outrageous red hats, purple dresses, and accessories like red feather boas, purple gloves and flashy costume jewelry.
The Red Hat Society has gotten so popular that it even has an official day (April 25), a theme song and a musical: “HATS! The Musical For The Rest of Your Life”.
Red Hat Rules
There are no rules except those of wearing a red hat and purple dress. The Red Hat Society is a women’s “disorganization” intent on having some serious fun. The chapters are led by Red Hat Royalty and come up with chapter names like The Grateful Red, Hattitude Hotties, and Raspberry Tarts.
Red “Hattitude”
I’ve gotta hand it to these 50-something women. They’re out for a good time, don’t really care what anyone thinks of their flashy-clashy attire, and if they spend the beer money on some red wine, well, that’s their choice. Among these sassy sisters, there is less likely to be depression and boredom. They support each other in good times and bad, and the positive side of life is what they all focus on.
Red Hat Events
How could you possibly feel blue during a Strutting Peacock tea party at the San Francisco zoo? Or piled into a hot red sports car, or a red double decker London bus, waving to spectators in a parade? Or even taking part in a convoy to check out the weekend garage sales, in red hat and purple dress, of course!
The events these Red Hatters plan are meant to be a hoot-and-a-half, but the monthly tea parties are anything but dull. The ladies take turns hosting and chip in with tea party delicacies. The drinks might resemble red wine more than tea, which could be the source of some of that laughter, along with the good company.
If you’re interested in joining a women’s social group with a devil may care twist, chances are good there’s a racy or rowdy chapter of the Red Hat Society in your area.
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