Tuesday 6 March 2012

The Red Hatters meet


This is a meeting of the Red Hat Society ladies some time ago.  For those not familiar with the Red Hat concept, it comes from a poem by Jenny Joseph that begins, "When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple
with a red hat that doesn't go and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension money on brandy and summer gloves
and satin candles and say we've no money for butter......"

The whole premise is that she has been too frugal, too conscienscous, too careful, too mild-mannered all her life, and in her old age is going to behave outrageously, and if folks, don't like it, tough!!

So, here I am at the Red Hatters (I'm the one in gray... in keeping with the rebellious note of the poem, I'm not wearing purple!)  All we seem to do is drink coffee and gossip and giggle, but that seems to be enough.  Occasionally, they go bowling, although I'm not up for that.

Interestingly, even though the whole ethos of the poem is "rebelliousness in old age" I find it amusing that as soon as the meeting is over, most of the ladies take off their red hats and put them in a bag to carry home.  They are rebellious, but only in the safety of a group.  Other than that, they want to look like everyone else!

8 comments:

Lacey R said...

I went on a shopping trip to the States a few years ago with some friends and the remainder of the people on the bus were the Red Hat Ladies (also on the shopping trip) - they were a ton of fun and wore their hats at the mall, you could spot them a mile away! :)

Susan said...

Ladies, you all look great. Wear your red hats everywhere!

mispapelicos said...

Very nice hatters indeed
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Melanie said...

Looks like a fun get together. And your observation about everyone putting their hats in their bags... Yes. Sigh. At least the hats see the light of day at all and everyone has an enhanced experience when they're on, like superheroes. Your bracelet and nails really stand out.

Rosemary the Shopper said...

Many thanks everyone for your comments. Glad you liked the bracelet Melanie. At first I mistook my cream bracelet for the edge of a cream teen shirt thing, but then I remembered I was wearing 2 bracelets! Each coffee morning is enjoyable, but the noise level goes through the roof. Suitably riotous!

Unknown said...

Sweet! but too bad they do not keep the hat on!
I will keep the hat on when i grow older!

Ariane xxxx

Rosemary the Shopper said...

Thanks LR @Magnificent or Egregious. Tried to leave a comment on your site, but don't think it worked. It came up as Preview, but would not accept the comment.

What I said was: Thank you for your comments on my blog about the Red Hatters. I did see you are "into" Downton Abbey as well, so I thought I would tell you that I have visited the film location. It's on my blog www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.com on the post dated November 8. 2011.

Love your photos. What city is it? I don't recognize the buildings.

Cheers from England, Rosemary from foreveronthecatwalkoflife.com

The Style Crone said...

Put one's hat away? Oh no! I know that you would never do that.