Every so often, an assortment of highly decorated and extremely unique hats takes to the streets or a venue to pay homage to the Red Hat Society, a social organization that accepts female members over the age of 50.
The brainchild of Sue Ellen Cooper, the society was erected in 1998, and possesses close to 1.
5 million registered members spanning 40,000 chapters in the United States, as well as 30 other international associations.
When becoming a member of the Red Hat Society, one of the most valuable requirements is the valued item that fits on top of your head.
While some outsiders look at the Red Hat Society as a kind of sorority or voluntary service club, there are no fundraising ventures or initiations to worry about when joining.
The aim of the Society is to promote a love of life, fun, amusement, creativity, imagination, and friendship that continues throughout the middle age and older.
The wearing of a hat places all of the women on a common ground sharing a common bond.
The Red Hat Society is named after the opening lines of a poem by Jenny Joseph called Warning, where she penned the lines, " When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple/ With a red hat that doesn't go and doesn't suit me.
" When becoming a part of a local chapter, the founder or head is known as a "Queen," while members are referred to as "Red Hatters.
" Participants who are more than 50 years of age wear red hats and purple clothing to all functions.
A woman that is under the age of 50 may become a member, but must wear a pink hat and lavender clothing to events until she reaches her 50th birthday.
She is referred to as a "Pink Hatter.
" The beauty of selecting a hat for a Society event is the elaborate and creative approach that comes with each get-together.
Most Red and Pink Hatters attempt to capture some of the most fascinating and off-the-wall hats to wear to an event, which may include a simple tea party to an elaborate cruise package with chapter members.
Since the aim of many Red Hatters is to choose a hat that grabs the center of attention and showcase their uniqueness, the possibilities are endless.
While some individuals go the distance and seek out a custom-made selection, others search high and low for a presentation that no one would ever suspect.
Local shops and online stores have catered to marketing hats for Red Hat Society members.
When choosing the perfect hat for yourself, it is important to display a piece of personal style and character with each selection.
To get your creative juices flowing, you should know that some members have displayed intricately positioned items on top of their hats, flashing lights, glitter, words, feathers, rhinestones, diamonds and other precious jewels, satin veils, stuffed animals, plastic purple butterflies, and moving parts.
Hats have also showcased considerable height or width.
The depth of your imagination is truly the only thing that will limit your next hat selection.
The brainchild of Sue Ellen Cooper, the society was erected in 1998, and possesses close to 1.
5 million registered members spanning 40,000 chapters in the United States, as well as 30 other international associations.
When becoming a member of the Red Hat Society, one of the most valuable requirements is the valued item that fits on top of your head.
While some outsiders look at the Red Hat Society as a kind of sorority or voluntary service club, there are no fundraising ventures or initiations to worry about when joining.
The aim of the Society is to promote a love of life, fun, amusement, creativity, imagination, and friendship that continues throughout the middle age and older.
The wearing of a hat places all of the women on a common ground sharing a common bond.
The Red Hat Society is named after the opening lines of a poem by Jenny Joseph called Warning, where she penned the lines, " When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple/ With a red hat that doesn't go and doesn't suit me.
" When becoming a part of a local chapter, the founder or head is known as a "Queen," while members are referred to as "Red Hatters.
" Participants who are more than 50 years of age wear red hats and purple clothing to all functions.
A woman that is under the age of 50 may become a member, but must wear a pink hat and lavender clothing to events until she reaches her 50th birthday.
She is referred to as a "Pink Hatter.
" The beauty of selecting a hat for a Society event is the elaborate and creative approach that comes with each get-together.
Most Red and Pink Hatters attempt to capture some of the most fascinating and off-the-wall hats to wear to an event, which may include a simple tea party to an elaborate cruise package with chapter members.
Since the aim of many Red Hatters is to choose a hat that grabs the center of attention and showcase their uniqueness, the possibilities are endless.
While some individuals go the distance and seek out a custom-made selection, others search high and low for a presentation that no one would ever suspect.
Local shops and online stores have catered to marketing hats for Red Hat Society members.
When choosing the perfect hat for yourself, it is important to display a piece of personal style and character with each selection.
To get your creative juices flowing, you should know that some members have displayed intricately positioned items on top of their hats, flashing lights, glitter, words, feathers, rhinestones, diamonds and other precious jewels, satin veils, stuffed animals, plastic purple butterflies, and moving parts.
Hats have also showcased considerable height or width.
The depth of your imagination is truly the only thing that will limit your next hat selection.