In Victorian days, women’s hats were statements about their character: flamboyant, shy, stylist, etc. Often extreme hat styles were purchased as a way of rebellion against the constraints and rules placed on women at the time.
In the 1950s, Red Hat Society chapters were established in several countries. The “red hat” concept is based in a poem written by Jenny Joseph, a portion of which follows:
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. I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells And run my stick along public railings And make up for the sobriety of my youth. I shall go out in my slippers in the rain And pick the flowers in other people’s gardens And learn to spit.
…But maybe I ought to practice a little now? So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.
There is a Milwaukee-area chapter – called the Red Hot, Red Hat Caregivers – specifically for family caregivers of older adults.The group was created recognizing that family caregivers need breaks from caregiving to have fun.Men and women age 50 and older who help out or care for older adults are invited to participate.The group does a variety of activities together, usually at low or no cost.The point of group is to have fun but also bring together people who are having common caregiving experiences.In the tradition of the Red Hat Society, there are no rules about extent of participation.Silliness (such as wearing red hats) is encouraged!
If you are interested in finding out more about this group, click here and send an email to a chapter representative who will respond to you with more information. If you are interested in reading the entire above poem and others that give interesting perspectives on aging, the When I Am An Old Woman, I Shall Wear Purple book is available through the Family Caregiver Support Network’s resource library.
