A sash (left) is a piece of wide ribbon or fabric, worn over one shoulder and pinned/tied/sewn at the opposite hip. It can be plain or embellished with writing or bling brooches.

A stole (right) a piece of wide fabric worn around the neck, hanging down the chest. Although the term “Bling Sash” is often used when talking about a stole.

These are a great way to wear your name badge and display your bling brooches without damaging your clothing with pin holes, or needing to move the brooches back and forth onto different outfits. You can pin your brooches onto the sash/stole and then simply pop that on over your clothing.

Having a “Red Sash Ceremony” or “Naming Ceremony” is a lovely way to celebrate a new member becoming part of your chapter, where you can gift them a sash/stole to start them off with their regalia.

Naming Ceremony

Call each member forth one at a time. Have them kneel on a (decorated) cushion, sit on a chair or simply stand before the Queen. They should have chosen a Royal name for themselves prior to the ceremony.

The Queen can say something such as:

“With the power that is vested in me, as Queen of the ……. <your chapter> ……
and before all of these royal attendees, I now pronounce you ……<their royal name>…… “

A sceptre/sword/fairy wand or whatever your chapter’s chosen item is, is tapped on each shoulder, as the Queen speaks the member’s royal name.

The Queen can then place the sash/stole on them, and say something such as:

“I hereby present you with The Order of the Red Sash,
May you uphold the spirit of Red Hatting, with fun, friendship and frivolity.”

A commemorative pin can be added to the sash/stole, to start them in their bling collection, or it can be left plain.