Étranger Things: The “Nicolas” Hat Trick — France’s playful answer to the Catherinettes

If you’ve ever seen a woman in France rocking a green-and-yellow headpiece on November 25, you’ve met a Catherinette—the (now light-hearted) tradition where 25-year-old unmarried women “coiffer Sainte-Catherine” with an over-the-top hat. The men’s counterpart exists too—just quieter: on December 6 (Saint-Nicolas), unmarried men around 30 are jokingly called “les Nicolas” and are said to “porter la crosse de Saint-Nicolas” (carry Saint Nicholas’s crosier)—a wink to their bachelor status. It’s far less common today, but the spirit survives in offices and friendly banter, especially up north. (Wikipedia)

So what’s with the hats?

• Catherinettes wear green & yellow (hope & wisdom), a color code you’ll still see at fashion schools, millinery events, and the odd Parisian fête. Think “be fabulous, be seen, be kind.” (HaTalk)

• Les Nicolas don’t have a standard hat, but the playful “crosse” image sticks—especially in regions that go big for Saint-Nicolas. (Expressio)

Where it’s loudest (bring your camera)

• Lorraine (Nancy/Metz/Épinal): Saint-Nicolas is huge: parades, sweets, crowds, and childlike joy. If you want the full vibe, Nancy’s festivities are a must. (French Moments)

Provence angle (Aix-en-Provence)

Down here, you’ll hear more about Catherinettes than you’ll actually see them—usually as a smiley cultural reference in workplaces or on social media. If your French friends tease you with “Alors, tu coiffes Sainte-Catherine ?”, they’re being affectionate, not judgy. A friendly comeback: “Oui, mais je vise la haute couture.” (Yes, but I’m aiming for haute couture.)

How to join in (without stepping on cultural toes)

1. Compliment, don’t comment on status. “Ton chapeau est génial !” beats “Why aren’t you married?” every time.

2. Keep it playful at work. If colleagues make a hat for someone, celebrate the craft, not the marital milestone.

3. Visiting Lorraine in early December? Say “Bonne Saint-Nicolas !” and try gingerbread—instant local points. (French Moments)

Tiny history snack (because we love a curated footnote)

• Saint Catherine became patron of milliners/lacemakers; workshops “capped” her statue and later the women themselves. The fashion link explains the hats. (headfordlaceproject.ie)

• Saint-Nicolas traditions flourished in the north-east, overlapping with gift-giving for children and town parades. The “men at 30” wink appears in press and idiom sources, but it’s not a strict national practice today. (journal.impact-european.eu)

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Quick phrases you can use

• “Tu coiffes Sainte-Catherine ?” — “Are you doing the Catherinette hat thing?”

• “Bonne Sainte-Catherine !” / “Bonne Saint-Nicolas !” — Seasonal well-wishes.

• “Porter la crosse de Saint-Nicolas.” — Idiomatic: men “carrying the crosier” (i.e., still bachelors). (Expressio)

For language learners (pick your level!)

• A1: Learn the dates + colors. “La Sainte-Catherine, c’est le 25 novembre. Le chapeau est vert et jaune.”

• A2: Practice compliments: “J’adore ton chapeau, il est très créatif !” + polite wishes: “Bonne fête !”

• B1: Explain the tradition in 4–5 sentences; contrast regions: “En Lorraine, on fête Saint-Nicolas avec un défilé…”

• B2: Debate modernization: “La tradition est-elle folklorique ou vivante ? Donnez des exemples régionaux.”

• Advanced: Do a short mini-reportage (1–2 min) comparing Catherinettes and Saint-Nicolas with one sourced cultural reference.

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Want to dive deeper?

• What Catherinettes are and why the green & yellow: hats, milliners, and history. (HaTalk)

• Saint-Nicolas in Nancy & Grand Est (parades and dates). (French Moments)

• Expression “porter la crosse de Saint-Nicolas” (men at 30). (Expressio)

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Your turn 👇

Have you seen Catherinette hats or a Saint-Nicolas parade—in Aix or elsewhere? Post a photo, a memory, or a tip. If you’re learning French, try a 2–3 sentence comment at your level (A1–Advanced). We’ll cheer you on!