What Are The Red Hat Ladies? A Senior Society Explained

Maybe you’ve spotted a group of classy-looking ladies wearing red hats and laughing their asses off. Or, perhaps, you’ve only heard the myth.

Either way, we will explain what Red Hat Ladies are and how you’re likely not cool enough to be part of their society.

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What are the Red Hat Ladies?

The Red Hat Society is an organization of women fifty and up that gather to socialize. In recent years, they’ve lifted the age restriction, and any woman can be a Red Hat Lady.

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First and foremost, Red Hat Ladies laugh and share life experiences, constantly learning from one another. But they’re so much more than that.

Oh, and you must wear red hats and purple clothes (if you’re 50+). It is done to celebrate age and reduce the stigma that comes with aging.

Members of the Red Hat Society younger than 50 don lavender clothes and pink hats (Pink Hatter) to show support for their mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and friends.

No males allowed 🙂

Promotes Healthy Lifestyles

One of the top priorities of the Red Hat Society is to cheer each other on, and that includes exercise.

The Red Hat Ladies believe that some physical activity is better than none than all, and it’s all celebrated equally.

Social Engagement

The Red Hat Society uses social engagement to improve women’s health and fight against the global stigma of aging.

Ageism is a dangerous form of discrimination that’s based wholly on someone’s age.

• Ageism leads to overall poorer physical and mental health.
• It increases isolation and loneliness.
• The stigma of aging brings about greater financial insecurity.
• Ageism decreases the quality of life for older people.
• And it can lead to premature death.

Has One Big Rule

The Red Hat Ladies run a no-rules society – beyond what you wear to events. 

Just because it’s society doesn’t mean it isn’t inclusive. It means thumbing noses at rules and trusting everyone knows right from wrong. 

Girls Just Want to Have Fun

The Red Hat Ladies sure know how to have a good time: luncheons, BBQs, and even elaborate conventions and balls.

Smaller groups just meet up to enjoy museums or a bunch. The vital thing is that they’re a community of peers that enjoy one another’s company.

In 2023, the Red Hat Society will celebrate 25 years and plan to go all out.

Does the Red Hat Society still exist?

The RHS has over 20,000 chapters. Now, they have Red Hat Ladies in 50 states and at least 30 countries and continues to grow daily.

How do I become a Red Hat woman?

The Red Hat Society doesn’t have tons of rules or requirements to join. And the dues aren’t scary.

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must pay attention to all events and functions in full attire. 
• You can’t attend an event unless you’re a member of the society.
• You get to choose what activities and events you participate in – nothing is forced on you.

Red Hat Society Fees and Structure

The cost to be a Prospective Red Hat is $30 a year for entry-level membership. You receive a welcome kit that includes membership to charter groups, access to the event calendar, and a social media website for members to find one another and chat.

A Red Hatter becomes a queen for $49 a year. A queen has access to all standard benefits in addition to exclusive events.

You can host your own event and lead a chapter group as a queen.

Other than that, you can give yourself a title. Queen and Queen Mother are popular for chapter leaders, while Vice Queen of All Queens is a goofy way to signify yourself as a chapter leader’s assistant.

Membership fees are non-refundable.

Join Using the Red Hat Society Website

Joining the Red Hat Society is as easy as going to the website and choosing your membership level.

All membership fees are used to support operations.

• answer phones
• responding to emails
• processing membership registrations
• emailing welcome kits
• maintaining and updating the website and social media

Perks to Being a Red Hat Lady

Members of the Red Hat Society receive small discounts at certain places and for specific products.

For example, the International Center of Language Studies gives Red Hat Ladies a 15% discount for language classes.

Red Hatters have access to what’s known as a “Purple Perk” card. It works for shopping deals, travel discounts, and lower prices at select stores.

The Red Hat Society has its own digital marketplace that sells colorful garb, including the tilted red hat.

Where did the name of the Red Hat Ladies come from?

The inspiration for the name Red Hat Society was the poem, Warning, written in 1961 by British poet Jenny Joseph.

“When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple, with a red hat that doesn’t go.”

What do Red Hat Ladies wear?

Red Hat Ladies under fifty wear a red hat and purple clothing. While those under 50 must wear pink hats and lavender clothes.

What do the Red Hat Ladies do?

• Believes in healthy living for older women.
• Fights against ageism.
• Doesn’t believe grown women need a bunch of rules.
• Have so much fun.

Fun FAQs About Red Hat Ladies

• The Red Hat Society is not technically a non-profit and isn’t affiliated with any charities directly.
• The organization frowns upon members using social clubs to promote products and personal services.
• One of the arms of the organization, the Headquarters, plans and pulls off a fun variety of events and vacations for members.
• Hats! is a musical about the Red Hat Society that debuted in 2007.
• There is a similar gift group to the Red Hat Society for men. It’s known as the Romeo Club, or Retired Old Men Eating Out.

For questions and assistance with anything related to the Red Hat Society, contact them at memberservices@redhatsociety.com or call 866 386 2850. International callers will need to dial 714 738 0001.

More FAQs

What are the red hat girls?

The Red Hat Society is an international organization that celebrates energetic, playful, and spirited women over 50. It was created in the late 1990s by a group of friends and has since grown into a vibrant community dedicated to honoring mature women with style and enthusiasm.

How do I become a member of the Red Hat Society?

To become a member of the Red Hat Society, the best way is to receive an invitation from a friend or establish your own club. Information on starting a club or finding existing clubs can be found on the official Red Hat Society website at www.redhatsociety.com.

What are the rules of the Red Hat Society?

The rules of the Red Hat Society include members 50 and over being referred to as “Red Hatters” and wearing red hats and purple attire for all events. Additionally, women under the age of 50 can also join, but they must wear a pink hat and lavender attire until they reach their 50th birthday.