Look out Chelsea, the Scarlet Belles have hit town.

Midlife may never be the same again.

The Scarlet Belles of Chelsea kicked off with an organizational meeting April 23 at the home of "Queen Mother" Dottie Staffeld. The group held its first official meeting May 21 at The Pines in Chelsea.

The women make up a chapter of the Red Hat Society, a women’s "disorganization" based on the concept that aging isn’t necessarily bad.

"Our goal is to have a good time and meet others," Staffeld said. "Red Hats go to luncheons, on field trips and picnics, whatever we decide to do.

"It’s all about having fun and sharing good times."

The Red Hat Society was founded in 1997 by California resident Sue Ellen Cooper, who felt that the midlife years should contain more fun and levity.

Inspired by poet Jenny Joseph’s popular piece, "Warning," which begins, "When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple with a red hat …," Cooper bought red hats and copies of the poem for friends celebrating 50th birthdays.

The following year, after Cooper and her friends donned red hats and purple outfits and went out to tea, the Red Hat Society was born.

The society, with an active online community, is represented by more than 15,000 chapters in all 50 states and at least 10 other countries. There are also Red Hat Society stores offering red hats and accessories — and copies of the famous poem that began it all — in Florida and California.

Although the Red Hat Society started as a group for women 50 and older, young women are invited to become "Pink Hatters" and join the group.

The Chelsea Scarlet Belles enjoyed their first luncheon Aug. 14 at the Common Grill, with 16 Red Hat members and two Pinks. Participants enjoyed games and prizes and a cake in the shape of a red hat.

The group, headed by Dottie Staffeld with assistance from Nancy O’Toole, Shirley Michael, Nancy Storm and Jinny Johnson, currently has a full quota of 25 members and has established a waiting list. Chapters are also active in Ann Arbor, Saline and Manchester.

"This is a no-work, good-time club," Staffeld said. "We’ll meet once a month and also may be involved in other chapter invitations."