Red Hat Customs & Traditions
The following are some common customs & traditions of the Red Hat Society
Bling – The more the merrier! Any kind of shiny, sparkly accessory you can add is great. Many Hatters like to collect brooches as well as wearing pearls and rhinestone jewellery.
“Dessert first” We’re about having fun and not having to “act our age” – so why not have dessert first! Who wants to sit around waiting for the good stuff? Not us! We like the “dessert first” approach to life!
“Hoots” A hoot is a get-together of Hatters. Generally an informal and unstructured event, some people use the term for all gatherings and events.
Feathers & Feather Boas – Boas add some fun, but the feathers themselves represent the freedom to come out and play as well as being love (red) and hugs (purple). If feathers fall off your boas, save them to give away as little gifts – they are “boa-seeds” or “baby boas”, and if nurtured they could grow into a full feather boa one day:):).
Reversed Colours – The regular dress code is a red hat and purple clothing (or pink hat and lavender clothing). However you can “reverse your colours” (wear a purple hat with red clothing) on your birth month, the chapters birth month and the birth month of the Red Hat Society (April).
Sashes & Stoles – A great way to display your brooches – which saves poking holes in your clothing and means you don’t have to move them from outfit to outfit.
Brim-Brushing – Hatters enjoy gestures of affection when bidding each other hello and goodbye, but hugs tend to knock hats to the ground. Therefore, when in our regalia, we are comfortable with the mutual shoulder touching and gentle brushing of hat brims.
Chapterettes – A special name for ladies within a local Chapter.
Coronation – The formal ceremony held for Queens of the Society. The official “crowning” ceremony can be simple, elaborate, crazy, silly or all of the above – as long as it’s fun!
Gutsy Gals – Our term for those courageous Supporting Members who attend RHS events all by themselves. They won’t be alone for long!
Meetings – Hatters don’t have them (a bit too boring for our tastes)! We prefer gatherings, hoots, get-togethers, affairs and galas Anything but “meetings”!
No Boys Allowed – Don’t get us wrong, we love our men! But RHS events are for women only. We’ve found that our men enjoy seeing us happy together and gladly find other activities to occupy their time while we “Hat”. Rare exceptions may be made: although men may not be Members, a Chaper may invite significant others to some events, such as Valentine’s Day parties or cruises, or perhaps invite grandsons to join them for bowling. Of course, we do let our best guys drive our floats in parades or assist us when we need help!
Pink Hatters – Pink Hatters, sometimes known as “Ladies in Waiting”, are a wonderful and essential part of the RHS. Not yet 50, Pink Hatters deck themselves in lavender and pink until their “magic birthday”! Some Chapters are made up entirely of Pink Hatters! Pink Hatters also reign as Queens – but they continue to wear lavender and pink until they REDuate. Pink Hatters are a huge part of the RHS global sisterhood. Women of all ages find Sisterhood in the RHS.
Official Sport – What could possibly be a more appropriate “sport” for Hatters than shopping? Whether we’re scouring thrift stores, browsing the online Official RHS Store for bling or trooping through the mall in full regalia, we are constantly working on our “game”. This is the sport we were born to play!
RHS Day – April 25th – The official RHS birthday! This is a fun-filled holiday celebrating the anniversary of the very first RHS gathering which took place on April 25, 1998. Queens and Members come up with their own unique way to celebrate. Many of us choose to celebrate all month long!
“Red Spread” or Taking over the World – Two “tongue-in-cheek terms for the fast growing popularity and presence of the RHS all over the world. (Actually, we DO plan to take over the world – eventually!)
REDuation – A Pink Hatter’s “rite of passage” which may include a creative ceremony or just a simple swapping of a pink hat for a red one. (We definitely encourage elaborate ceremonies whenever possible, especially when you celebrate the big 5-0!)
