wHAT
it means to be a Hat LadywHAT
it means to be a Hat Lady
To paraphrase William Shakespeare, "wHAT's in a Hat?" The answer: A LOT!
The Principle upon which The Hat Ladies is founded:
The Hat Ladies are Ladies of all ages and backgrounds, brought together by their love of hats, in a spirit of camaraderie and community service.
The Fun, Fellowship, and Self-Esteem of being a Hat Lady
(as seen in the ways The Ladies finished the sentence:
"The Hat Ladies are...."
fun, exciting, and life enhancing
a pleasant, delightful experience
a chance to wear hats without feeling strange
sunshine into the lives of wearers as well as the public
a new experience "tripping into a fantasy world
chances to wear a pretty hat that causes a stir and lifts my spirit
stepping back in time to another era, but keeping my feet on the ground
as much fun as my grandchildren
ooh-la-la!
feeling like a girl again, playing "dress up"
bringing joy to soooo many Ladies...and joy back into MY life
cherished memories of time spent with all the lovely and enchanting "Hat Ladies"
lots of nice people and lots of fun
my husband's encouragement, who bought himself a hat
fun...for the beauty of the hatted Ladies is always matched by their kindness
the opportunity to make new friends and the ability to network
meeting and getting to know so many nice Ladies
getting so many to dress up, show off, and love doing it
a veritable buffet table of activities from which to choose
treasured gifts of friendship
little challenges that take you past your comfort level
having people remark on my appearance
bringing out your almost forgotten "giggly little girl" side when you are with several Ladies and someone asks, "Are you a Hat Lady?"
women who don't fight and tell tales, but enjoy each other's company, have fun together, support one another, make some deep and lasting friendships, and of course, look fashionable in their attire
the joy of still being able to play "dress up" and "tea party"
a group that has enriched my life tenfold...and beyond
enjoying myself to the fullest and feeling like a kid again
making one become a full time hat lover
an experience to treasure because of the camaraderie among all The Ladies under all the beautiful hats
a group that has opened the door for me to fun, fun women, fun events
many lovely friendships that would not have been possible otherwise
donning my hat and feeling quicker and lighter in step and spirit...and certainly more dignified
an opportunity to express ourselves more with our hats
the women who make the hat
a way to make our lives better
girlfriends all wearing beautiful hats
a spirit of peace, for we know we are special
women of courage in our hats; when we enter a room, everyone is put at ease because of the way we walk in our beautiful hats
felling like there's 'nothing' I can't do!
making "best" friends
being like a flower blossoming
having a sense of style in this dress down era
an affirmation of who we are...beautiful people inside and out
a marvelous group of Ladies; love them
hats on parade
responsible for enriching my life so incredibly
new friends and amazing experiences...that have become commonplace
being recognized in our hats all over the city
an opportunity to share something with sisters, daughters, granddaughters, and even husbands
forming wonderful friendships and meeting some of the most fascinating and talented women on earth
something that came into my life when I really needed something: something to think and write about, something to do, something fun
a way to become enriched as a group and as a person
feeling more comfortable wearing hats
new friends and much joy in the civic activities in which we have participated
a way to become enriched as a group and as a person
a wonderful adventure in style, art, color, and beauty
looking forward to what's "ahead"
so many happy days for me
the nicest group of anything/body I have ever belonged to! I'm so proud of us
memorable events that would not have happened without it
a chance to feel fashionable, stylist, and comfortable
one of the nicest experiences I've had in a long time
being the object of a "second look"
a way to replace my baseball hats (worn because of my hair loss with hats with a (h)atitude!
personal friendships, adventures, new faces, and lots of money spent on hats
a dream that all can share
Thus "The Hat Ladies are...."
about hats
about old time charm and gentility
about helping others
about fellowship
about great conversation
about meeting women who are warm, lovely, and just plain nice
about being prissy and preening a little...and it's OK
about fun
The Meaningful Component to being a Hat Lady
Here are examples of how our hats have come to symbolize the best of camaraderie AND community service in Charleston, South Carolina. These types of activities can be modified to reflect the cultural, social, educational milieu of all towns:
Serve as docents for Home and Garden tours for The Historic Charleston Foundation and The Preservation Society as well as individual house tours.
Support the Charleston Symphony Orchestra during their month long Designer Showhouse
Participate in Country Living Designer Showhouse raising money for Juvenile Diabetes
Contribute to Gibbes Art Museum fundraiser
Race for the Cure as a Team
Assist at the Camellia Society Show
Hostess at the Mrs. South Carolina Beauty Pageant
Work on Habitat for Humanity houses
Provide "entertainment" at convalescent homes
Establish The Hat Ladies Monetary Award for a graduating senior at a high school
Make hats for the children undergoing treatment at The Medical University of South Carolina, then help them decorate them
Wherever The Hat Ladies are, they enjoy the reputation of "being one of the most active groups in town, spreading enthusiasm to other local efforts." When there's a "need," who ya gonna call? The answer is: THE HAT LADIES!
The Experiences of being a Hat Lady
"The Hat Ladies of Charleston arrived with smiles, hats, and mirrors. But most importantly, they rekindled lost memories of romantic days of feminine gentility. The ladies of the home prepared for this visit for ten days by decorating their hats; some had to try on their hats after placing each flower--proof that vanity lives forever.
Their coming also touched our male residents. One gentleman practiced "Easter Parade" for a week in his room. He then allowed us to move his organ from his bedroom to the dining room. He played (with his hat on) for thirty minutes before The Hat Ladies arrived. Significantly he is one who usually stays to himself in his room.
Their presence encouraged some residents to dance and sing. They stimulated conversation amongst residents who once lived in New York and witnessed the original Easter Parade. The next day brought more reminiscing. The organist said how much fun he had; another gentleman made an announcement about the lovely day they all had. One of the ladies showed off the hat graciously given to her by one of The Hat Ladies.
And now onto The Promenade. I had fallen in love with my hat for the occasion, but I had no idea how good it would make me feel. I have very little time for myself, caring for an ailing Mother (who lives a good distance away), raising three children, and meeting the demands at work..
And so, on Saturday morning, I reached for a dress that would fit the hat and be comfortable. I put on my walking shoes, opted against coffee, and drove off. I parked my car. Within 200 yards I ran into my first set of tourists. They had read about The Promenade that morning in the paper. The next notable tourists I met were a Mother and daughter from two different cities, who decided to meet in Charleston because they read about The Promenade over the internet. They even took my picture. My self-esteem skyrocketed.
Still feeling good, I decided to call my Aunt on Easter Sunday to ask her to send me my Grandmother's old hats--if she could find them. She was thrilled. That particular side of the family and I have been distant both emotionally and geographically. Hats provided the bridge to place the call.
The lives touched by a simple hat placed simply upon a not-so-simple head is simply marvelous!
The Universality of Being a Hat Lady
I have been friends for ten years with a Romanian family. I know how difficult their life is from having visited them. Cornelia and Florin hold three jobs just to make ends meet and provide for their two children.
As "Top Hat," I found myself working harder and harder creating The Hat Ladies. I hesitated to tell Cornelia about "this hat thing," for I feared it would sound frivolous against the backdrop of her life. However, this labor of love soon filled most of my time. So the day came when I had to tell her about it or write a very short letter!
Her response both astounded and delighted me. "wHAT's in a Hat?" More than one could ever have imagined:
"Charleston can be proud with you and the Club you created. If I were there, I would surely like to be a member of your Club. It's an excellent idea and probably a pleasant and amusing way of spending a few free hours with friends. Congratulations and long live your Club."
(There is an equally interesting postscript. As mentioned previously, The Hat Ladies are an hatsolutely astounding network. One of the daughter's of a Hat Lady is involved in an HIV Project in Romania. She met Cornelia and hand carried back a gift for me...a HAT. Needless to say, it is the one I treasure the most).
Copyright ©2002 The Hat Ladies of CharlestonSM. All rights reserved.