Join The Hat Ladies

Throw your hat in the ring and choose one of the following options:

1. Join The Hat Ladies of Charleston

Come together with Ladies from as far North as Pawleys Island, as far West as Huger, Orangeburg, and Walterboro as far South as Summerville, Seabrook, and Edisto. Carpooling can be arranged.

Send $25.00 check for annual dues payable to "The Hat Ladies" to 805 Heyward Cove, Charleston, SC 29412. Include your email address!

If you don't have an email, include your fax number.

If you don't have a fax number, include 10 self-addressed envelopes and an extra $5.00 to cover postage.

2. Join as an Associate Member (Hat Lady at Large)

Enjoy the prestige and experience the self-esteem of being a Hat Lady without living in Charleston. Help associate hat wearing with volunteering and bring back the hat! Receive all newsletters, attend The Hat Ladies functions when visiting Charleston, advertise on the Hat Ladies website and newsletters.

Send $25.00 check for annual dues payable to "The Hat Ladies" to 805 Heyward Cove, Charleston, SC 29412

3. Become a Chapter Coordinator and form The Hat Ladies of (Your Town). FYI: At this time, the only official Hat Ladies Chapter is The Hat Ladies of The Town of Warwick, NY. Contact Carol Ann for details: 4carolan@optonline.net

4. Incorporate an existing hat club as an affiliate

Existing groups of ladies who love to wear hats of all colors are invited to contact Archie, The Top Hat, at hatladies@aol.com, to explore ways to become a Hat Ladies "affiliate." Hats bring people together, and together we can make a difference in the world of fashion and the world, in general.

For points 3 & 4, please understand:

Chapters canNOT be established without the express permission of The Top Hat, Archie Burkel. The Hat Ladies is a limited liability corporation (LLC), and its name, logo, and format have been trademarked.

Then please read the following sections to determine if being part of The Hat Ladies LLC is, indeed, in our mutual best interest

Who Are We?

wHAT We Stand For

Who Are You?

wHAT You Do Next

Although a genuine love of hats is at the very heart of being a Hat Lady, it is our volunteerism (while wearing those hats) that sets us apart from other hat-wearing, fun-loving groups. Therefore, if "Fashion AND Compassion," "Camaraderie AND Community Service" are priorities in your life, we'd love to have you in ours. Remember: there's "hat" in "HeArT." Hat by hat we CAN make a difference!

wHAT is Expected of a Hat Lady

To wear a hat to all Hat Ladies functions (monthly Luncheon, Hatpy Hour, volunteerism) and encouraged to wear them to outside events highlighted in The Hatpenings.
To volunteer and participate in at least one Hat Ladies activity per year
To participate in as many Hatpenings as possible, most notably The Promenade

wHAT are the Benefits of Being a Hat Lady

Having occasions to wear your hat(s)
Networking with the most wonderful Ladies in the community
Doing things you’ve never done before
Experiencing a rise in self-esteem
Receiving recognition by others that you are a Hat Lady
Being invited to special events by businesses and other organizations
Having the chance of finding your picture in local newspapers and magazines
Selling at select Luncheons
Buying merchandise at various Luncheons
Advertising your business/profession at a reduced rate
Advertising a special event or particular sale item at a reduced rate
Being part of a volunteer brigade of stylish Ladies who are making a difference
Joining an Organization others have described as "...the best they've ever joined"

On one fateful Charleston day . . .

There once was a lady with a hat

Then there was another –

And even more added to that!

She knows a good mind

Tops a kind heart;

And to top that good head

A hat’s just the start!

A hat for lunch;

A hat for dinner;

Even a special hat

When she’s the winner!

A hat for the ball game,

A hat for the garden.

Please turn down that fan

I beg your pardon!

A hat for sun;

A hat for Fall –

She has a hat,

For it all!!!

Others took notice,

As she traveled around.

New lid after lid –

There’s something here profound!

She found cheerful companions,

As their hat collections grew.

What a lovely sisterhood-

Who ever knew?!

Afternoons together,

Under a hat for tea.

Good will and good cheer

Were bound for a spree!

And The Hat Ladies were off!

Meeting here and there.

Not even the spiteful breezes

Could ruffle their well topped hair!

Good will and good cheer always followed,

To Socials and Hospitals and such.

The Hat Ladies touch every soul they encounter.

Everyone loves them so much!

They invite you to come over

And try on a few hats too.

Who ever even knew?

The Hat Ladies could be for you!

by Dave Kaz

Any use of the words "The Hat Ladies" or the logo is prohibited without express permission of The Hat Ladies, LLC.

Contents Contact the Top Hat