How The Red Hat Society Started

A wonderful woman, by the name of Sue Ellen, was the woman who started it all. The history of the Red Hat Society began in the sunny city of Tucson, Arizona. Sue Ellen decided to buy a bright, red fedora hat one day while she was thrift shopping.

That bright red fedora has now become the symbol of the Red Hat Society. A few years after buying the hat she happened upon a poem "Warning", written by the author Jenny Joseph. In the poem, a woman explains how she would like to act when she is older.

"When I am an old woman I shall wear purple, with a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me. And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves, and satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter." At the end of the poem she explains that she knows she presently needs to continue to be a good example to those around her. However, she also believes she ought to practice living the way she would like to now a little, so people won't be too shocked when she suddenly is an older woman and she wears purple.

The poem became Sue Ellen's inspiration for a birthday gift for her friend. She presented the poem, along with a vintage red hat, to her friend Linda Murphy. She had hopes Linda would like it and perhaps use it as a fun decoration by hanging the hat next to the framed poem.

What Sue Ellen didn't realize was that the gift would be such a hit that it would soon be passed on to many others. Linda gave the same gift to her friend, and that friend gave the hat and poem to another, and so on. Ms. Joseph's poem was an instant success.

Those presented with red hats decided to start a "Red Hat Society". They decided to get together for tea and enjoy each others company. In honor of the poems they were presented, they got together dressed in purple dresses and red hats that didn't go.

The tea was a hit and each member of the Red Hat Society continued to invite new members to join in on the fun. More red hats were bought, and the numbers began to grow. By the time the group had grown to 18 people they decided to start new sibling groups.

The Red Hat Society started with a simple, important idea. Life is meant to be celebrated. Don't save everything you can enjoy for later in life.

Hip Hop 50's Shop specializes in Children and Adult Poodle Skirts, crinoline slips, saddle oxford shoes and complete 50's costumes. We are passionate about Sock Hops and the 1950's, so our experts share tons of advice and tips on our blog. Come visit anytime.