Now, I know that at least two of my blogging friends are Red Hat Society ladies, you know who you are over in Oregon, but at the weekend I met a real live one myself. Carol, whose Hatter name is Countess Caroline, had a table displaying her gorgeous handmade fascinators, many of which she has created for mellow hatters (I just invented mellow because fellow sounded too masculine for Hatty ladies). Once Carol told me she was involved in this craziness I just had to learn more.
She began by telling me that they are all show offs! ‘You almost have to be’ she said, ‘and I’ve always been a showy off person myself’, I don’t know about that, but she is certainly a very attractive and outgoing lady who loves to chat. As well as the red hats they wear purple clothes when they meet up in their ‘Chapters’. Most of them are middlies but you can still join in your forties, then you are a Pinkie with lilac clothes and pink hats. At fifty you are invested with scarlet sparkles or a wand. Carol is one of the one hundred members of the Riviera Royals, whose leader is Princess Cockington.
When the ladies meet up they go on a ‘Hoot’, days out, concerts, shows and balls, and men are never allowed. Occasionally other chapters are invited to a soiree, to which they often travel using their bus passes, fully hatted and gowned. They have big conventions and she has been known to attend as a St Trinians girl.
During a ladies birthday month, they dress in reverse, red clothes and purple hats. There’s a whole world of red hatters out there with dedicated internet shopping sites. Some hatters have appeared on the Vanessa show, I would imagine Ms Feltz would be in her element.
Carol told me that she went on her own to her very first meeting and that from the start she felt welcome. ‘I’ve found that women can be bitchy, but never felt that in the Red Hatters. I think it’s because of our age, there are no grudges, it’s a sisterhood. No one minds disgraceful behaviour. Even out for coffee we wear our hats. It’s supportive as well as fun, caring for each other through bereavement, watching out for each other’s well being and remembering little details.’
For last year’s Royal Wedding they celebrated at a lovely local restaurant. They watched together, all dressed to the nines waving flags, as if they were actually there. Carol has immaculately painted nails and not a hair out of place. Last year the chapter went to Ladies day at Ascot, what a sight they must have been, but as it was £3-400, this year they will be going to Newton Abbot. I have no doubt they will look wonderful.
They have a ‘Mother of the Bride’ evening planned shortly. This will be held at the Grosvenor Hotel, Torquay, as featured on a recent Channel Four TV series. This will be a major event for which Carol will be making a sash to wear and the high heels will be out in force – manageable because it will be ‘Car to bar’.
Carol said ‘I can’t promote the Red Hatters enough, it’s given me a new lease of life and I wouldn’t be making fascinators without the society.’ She taught herself to make these exquisite little numbers. I tried one on and looked incredibly silly, but she has made lots for her chapter.
Carol is a glamorous lady and even on holiday her style is maintained. She is ecstatic if she can sit in the sea, watching the sun glinting on her red glittery finger and toe nails. I am grateful to this fabulous lady for sharing her Red Hat experiences with me and maybe one day I might just join. Or not, because I’m too much of a scruff bag!
As well as the unnamed Oregon ladies, I’m sure there are more of you out there around the world, would you like to share some of the fun you have had? I would love to learn what you get up to around the globe!
Lucid Gypsy 
I swear whomever started the Red Hat Society and all the paraphernalia that goes with it, is laughing all the way to the bank. I know women spend tons of dough on red hat stuff. And, they have chapters everywhere. Good for them, and for those ladies (two of whom we know) that have so much fun and make life long friends parading around in their finery!
Absolutely Margie, they seem to have great fun and very supportive 🙂
I love the poem, and the idea of the Red Hatters. But I had to wear a red hat through five long years at school, and I should be most reluctant to wear one again…
haha you’ve just reminded me of my school ‘boater’!
Wonderful write up. Thanks for sharing your experience with us crazy red hatters!
Thanks Cee,I was worried that Hatters my think it was naff!
To each their own on this one. I could not see myself fitting into this group of ladies. Unless, pehaps they sport red cowboy hats,boots, and maybe some purple jeans. LOL. And to be honest, that’s not really descriptive of my wardrobe either (except for the boots). It sounds like the girls that are involved, have fun doing their thing, though. More power to them (and you, if you decide to join, Gilly). 🙂 I too, am a ‘scruffbag’. 🙂
I like the idea of groups of women supporting each other but I’m not very good at party type get togethers, I’m too shy!
Sounds like an interesting group, but I think I am too scruffy, too. Besides, I’m still too young. Late 30’s. 🙂 Maybe someday. Great post.
Thanks honey I appreciate your visit!
There needs to be a red t-shirt and blue jeans and sneakers society. 🙂 I think I would join that society.
Yep that would be more my style too!
…and can we meet in the pub and drink G&Ts?
I only heard about this group recently. They seem like a fun bunch. Since I’m not a showy person, I’ll have to just enjoy hearing about their exploits.
I think I would like to be a fly on the wall!
Cute hats! Lovel post once again Gilly! 🙂
*hugs*
Thanks angel 🙂
fab write up Gilly. i didnt know a thing about red hatters and have never seen them out and about but would like to see them all bedecked in their finery! like your other commenters i wouldnt probably wear a fascinator but love your photos!
Ah IW you looked fab in a fascinator the last time!
yep we have them here too…love the idea
I think you should join and dress up in one of your fantasy costumes!
A very informative and entertaining post, Gilly. I have heard about these ladies, but had no idea they were so global. It’s a fabulous idea – but I think I might be more the atrociously behaved old woman, banging railings with her stick and wearing a purple hat! 😉
Me too! I’ve misbehaved all my life – too late to change now!
OH yes we
are growing old Dissgracefully we have lots of silly fun in the red hatters in torbay and around the world see us on facebook The Riviera Royals and you can wear purple jeans and top with red shoes and a hat or fascinator in red look out for us
fascinating, we so need an outlet for fun and laughter, sounds just the ticket!
Dressing up and being mischievous, cool! 🙂
I’ve heard a bit more about them and even took pictures of a group at Grand Central station way back when… will look into it. Fascinating! 🙂 I’m finally catching up on blogs; about 3500 emails! Thanks for your patience! 🙂
You would be an outrageous Hatter! Thanks for all your kind comments and I understand how you feel, it can be quite overwhelming to try to keep up with blogging – but wonderful! It’s lovely to know that you’re visiting me but don’t wear yourself out in the process honey 🙂
Interesting post Gilly! Cute hats!
Hahaha yes on me they look like birds nesting in my crazy hair!
Very informative write on this group, Gilly. I remember the first day I saw a group of them walking into one of our local breakfast eateries with their purple and red colors. They lit up the place with more than colors. They were laughing and having one big fun time. They seemed a bit up there in age, though. Then, my neighbor joined one and told me about them and what they do. I have no interest in it but, I imagine, for many woman are alone after a spuses death or have difficulty making friends can find a healthy way to socialize.
Toodles,
Izzy
I haven’t seen them out en masse yet but would love to! I’m not old enough yet but maybe one day – never say never 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thanks Gilly for the write up of our meeting you are very kind and i can tell lots of fun .
When you are old enough i am sure you would enjoy our trips out purple jeans ,purple t shirt red boots and a red hat would look stunning on you and as for missbehaving we are growing old DISGRACEFULLY ha ha see our page on facebook The Riviera Royals or my page for fascinators ab fab fascinators i make bespoke ones to match a special outfitt not just red and purple watch out for us red hatters we are FUN
Oh, my! How come I have never heard about these women? They sound like the WI on steroids! Definitely too full-on for me, but I wouldn’t mind being part of the blue jeans and red tee brigade 🙂
Thanks for enlightening me Gilly.
Jude xx