Do I have to wear red and purple?
Yes (if you are over 50 years of age) The distinctive attire of a Hatter is what shows that they are a member of the Red Hat Society, as well as being a reflection of the attitude that forms the basis of the Society. This dress code comes from the “Warning” poem by Jenny Joseph, which talks of wearing “purple with a red hat, which doesn’t go and doesn’t suite me”. This has been used as the motto of sorts for the Red Hat Society. To wear clothing that is bright and colourful (especially if it doesn’t suit you), to be the complete opposite of subtle and demure, to have fun and not to “act your age”. Dressing in the attire of a Hatter is known as wearing your “colours” and can be considered the equivalent of a uniform.
If you are over the age of 50 years, you are to wear “Red on the Head, Purple below” – Which basically means a red hat/fascinator with purple clothing. Ladies under the age of 50 wear “Pink on the head , lavender below“. The exception to this is on your birthday month, your chapter birth month and the birth month of the Red Hat Society (April) – where you may “Reverse Colours” – instead wearing Purple on the Head, Red Below.
But those colours don’t suit me!
That is rather the point! (although I’m yet to find anyone who doesn’t look fabulous in their colours!) It is about not caring what the world thinks of what you do or wear, and having fun doing it anyway. As the colours are the main distinguishing factor of the Red Hat Society, if you are not prepared to embrace the colours, then you may find you are better suited to a different women’s social club that doesn’t have a particular dress code.
Does it need to be solid purple (or lavender) clothing?
No. While the dress code for the Society defines the colours you should wear, you can decide how much of the clothing you wear is coloured, and what style or prints you like. The important thing is to embrace the idea behind wearing the colours, and to make an effort to dress accordingly. If you look at photos of Hatters in large groups, you will see there is a huge variety of what ladies wear. You can also see how wonderful it looks when you have a sea of reds and purples – so the more of the colours you can wear, the more vibrant the whole group looks!
The official word (from the Queen’s Handbook) states:
“Some have asked exactly what constitutes a hat: will a bow suffice? or, what shade of purple is the proper shade? Can I wear red shoes with my purple outfit? Can I wear a purple print dress? Can I wear a mageta hat? Remember this is ragalia, not a uniform. Each Member chooses how she will express herself visually. It is more important to enjoy each other’s company than to worry about small details regarding what each one is wearing. It’s all part of the same informal spirit that we use to avoid “meetings” – there is no place for “Robert’s Rules of Order” at our gatherings! Let’s keep the fun in the Society. Just stick to the basics: red (pink) on the head, and something purple (or lavender) below. Simple! That is what makes being a Red Hatter so appealing … less rules and more fun.”
