The second lady was into the essence of what Red hatting is supposed to be about. It's a social club for women of a certain age. I belong to 3 chapters. The first one is huge with over 100 members. It basically holds a monthly dinner (banquet style). Many of its members belong to other smaller chapters and it serves as a good source to fill out events and find out about what other chapters are doing and often getting invites to their events. We have a lot of varied fun.

The second one is a smaller group of around 16 members. We rotate meeting in each others home once a month. it is up to the hostess what we do there. We've had potlucks, drinks by the pool, luaus, BBQ's and game nights. We also do an outing once a month. This could be visiting a tea garden to something like whale watching or taking in a cooking class.
This is the group of ladies I feel closest to. We often meet in pairs to do other things. The only downside is they are shy about dressing out and being seen. I'm working on them. They call me the Hat Nazi. LOL

Third group is the newest. We do a lot of plays and cultural events. Great Queen but a bit too inclusive inviting men along. That messes up the dynamics of a girls day/nite out. She's disturbed that there hasn't been a good group involvement. I think it's because people are using her for cheap date nite tix as couples. In order to be taken more seriously as a women's club she has to make it more of a women's club. I love the events and like her a lot but I feel the least Red Hattish when out with this group. It has potential though.

You have to find the right fit for you. The Queen sets the tone and thee are as many different ways to Red Hat as there are Queens.

Where I see things get messed up is when some members who already lead very busy lives join up and then seldom participate.

Red Hatting works best for women who are done with the child raising, are independent enough to leave DH at home for the night and sometimes the weekend or longer if they travel, and and aren't afraid of being thought silly when they go out in their red and purple attire.

You need to be willing to wear a Red Hat, wear purple clothing and leave you home life and troubles at the door. It's for FUN.

I'm a member of a chapter called Lilies of the Valley. It's made up of teachers, retired teachers, high school girlfriends, and then there's me and mom. LOL. You wouldn't have had any fun with the one group who said that all they do is eat, see movies, etc. Our group does that too, but we've also helped out at a homeless shelter, dishing up meals. Another time we sorted clothes, and re- arranged shelves of things donated for the needy. You don't have to do this, but we enjoyed it.
You can start you own group if you can't find one. Just try to keep it to around 12-15 ladies, as it makes it easier to make reservations for eating out. (which we do once a month). Your group will be as fun as you and the other members make it.
Leslie

BTW I'm up early because I'm getting ready for a Mad Hatters Tea party I'm hosting today. It will be held at the clubhouse at another members condo. I decorating it Alice in Wonderland style. I'll be wearing a large Red Hat I've decorated with a child's tea set, a purple T shirt with a Mad Hatter tea party applique on the front and Cheshire cat PJ bottoms. Depending on the weather I'll have on glitzy flip-flops or fuzzy slippers. And yes, if I find I need to stop to pick up some extra item at the store on my over I will have NO problem going in alone and getting what I need. LOL That's Red Hatting.

Another group is having a PJ breakfast at a restaurant this morning. I am too busy or I'd be there too.

Sounds like fun.

Sure does sound like fun. What is the typical age group?

I belong to a group, it was rather large in the beginning but many have dropped out and now is down to a more manageable group of about 20 or so.

Wildchild pretty well covered what it's all about. We're never shy about gadding around town in our 'dress up' clothes. We usually meet once a month for a luncheon at a local restaurant, rotating among the few we have, to spread our cheer around. lol. Several times a year we meet at the local Sr. Center for our meal and it helps them out.

Sometimes we may have a special speaker, one time it was a local eldery gentleman who portrays Mark Twain and does a very believable performance.

Have gone to a local little theater for the plays they put on.

Usually once a year we go to a local nursing home, taking all our extra hats, boas, and jewelry and let the women dress up and have refreshments. Our Queen took individual pictures, printed them out at the time and presented them to the ladies, they were thrilled.

Every Fall our group invites all the other groups in the county to a picnic in the park, we provide the food and have games and this last year had an auction of donated items to raise money to pay for following year's picnic.

Next month members of all the county groups are meeting at a restaurant to have a spring luncheon and get to know each other better and the restaurant is opening that day just for the Red Hatters.

We go out of county sometimes to visit tourist sites or to eat at different place and shop the flea markets nearby.

Our group just celebrated our 5 year anniversary this past month. I would make a guess that over half of our group are quite a ways over the age of 65.

I admire the women who join these groups, have thought about it, but deceided not for me. I just don't feel comfortable doing all this going out etc. I do admire the one from grammyhony that do things for others. To me that is important and fun. But then I am not one for dressing up etc. I just feel uncomfortable.

"What is the typical age group?"

You have to be 50 or older to wear the purple clothes and red hat. Younger than that, you're only allowed to wear lavender clothes and pink hats.

I got this at n estate sale and thought it was clever you ladies might want to use it as a craft to do or to make for placecards etc.

Here is a link that might be useful: