The Red Hat Society is an international “disorganization” of middle-aged women who wear red hats and purple dresses. It was founded in 2000 by Sue Ellen Cooper and now has 256,000 members worldwide. Members under 50 wear pink hats and lavender dresses until their 50th birthday. The society offers entertainment and companionship without any cause or fundraising. The only rule of fashion is “flamboyant is good.” The society is based on the poem “Warning” by Jenny Joseph, which encourages women to be bolder in their old age.
Do you feel bolder in your old age? The Red Hat Society may just be there
ticket for entertainment and companionship in the retirement years. The society
self-described as an international “disorganization” of middle-aged women who
live with taste and wear – what else? — bright red hats.
The Red Hat Society was born in July 2000 when Sue Ellen Cooper, of
Fullerton, California sent a red hat and a copy of Jenny Joseph’s poem,
“Notice” to a friend on her birthday. The practice quickly snowballed and
a thriving circle of friends began to gather for tea dressed in red hats
and purple dresses.
Today Sue Ellen, the “Queen Mother” of the Society, organizes several conferences
a year for mass frivolity and publishes a quarterly mini-magazine of “Red
Hatter Matters” to 256,000 members worldwide. The Society’s $35 a year
the membership fee covers the operating costs for the organization’s six employees
members.
Members under the age of fifty are encouraged to join and wear pink hats and
dressed in lavender until their 50th birthday Coronation when they are
crowned while being serenaded with kazoos and clappers.
The attire at the conventions ranges from feminine tea dresses and pajamas to
breakfast to banquet formal wear. While red and purple dominate the
combination of colors at every event, the only rule of fashion is “flamboyant is good”.
The Society is unique in offering a club whose activities are entirely
it depends on the whims of the members. No cause is professed and no
Fundraising is needed to support grassroots chapter outreach. Everyone
that devoted Red Hatters seek is a chance to dress up, kick their butt
heels and be more visible in an era that idealizes youth.
Warning By Jenny Joseph
When I’m old I’ll wear purple
With a red hat that doesn’t go and doesn’t fit me.
And I’ll spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and let’s say we don’t have any money for butter.
I’ll sit on the sidewalk when I’m tired
And gobble up samples in stores and hit alarm bells
And slide my cane along the public railing
And compensate for the sobriety of my youth.
I will go out in slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people’s gardens…
But maybe I should practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I’m old and start wearing purple.
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