How The Red Hat Society Started

The history of the Red Hat Society began in the sunny city of Tucson, Arizona. A wonderful woman, by the name of Sue Ellen, started it all when she meandered along a thrift shop while shopping. She decided on buying a bright red fedora hat.

Years later she happened upon a poem "Warning", written by the author Jenny Joseph. In the poem, a woman explains how she would like life to be when she is older. As she read the poem, she remembered her red fedora she had bought.

"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.

Sue Ellen instantly fell in love with the poem and the idea behind it. She was determined to share the poem with others, and so presented the poem with a vintage red hat to her friend Linda Murphy as a birthday gift. She had hopes Linda would hang the hat by the framed poem in her home as a fun decoration.

Sue didn't realize what a hit the poem would be to Linda, and eventually others. Linda loved the gift so much that she presented it to other friends, and they presented it to others. Ms. Joseph's poem was an instant success among many of Sue and Linda's friends.

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.

That was when the first official Red Hat Society tea began. Each member of the Red Hat Society continued to invite new members, and the number of members and red hats began to grow. Now there are many sibling groups celebrating across the Nation.

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.