The funky leather hats of hippies in the 1960’s-70’s were a hit for a while, as was Gilligan’s bucket hit from the hit TV show – “Gilligan’s Island”.

However, women kept up the tradition for many years…up to this day, in some quarters. Church became the last bastion of hat-wearing and especially some of the older women in African American churches. There is something really dignified about a 1950’s looking hat and gloves holding a bible, rather than some of the sights of modern churches with women in flipflops and capris!

Hat societies are making a comeback. The Red Hat Society is still the most well-known one. Founded in 1998, there are over 50,000 chapters of this ladies, who are usually over 50 years of age, and get together for soirees and good works in the community!