Curtis Sliwa wears a bright red beret (often what people mean by “red hat”) as the signature symbol of the Guardian Angels, the anti-crime patrol group he founded in New York City in 1979.

Core reason: symbol and uniform

  • The red beret is a key part of the Guardian Angels’ uniform , along with a white T‑shirt or red jacket, designed so riders and pedestrians can quickly recognize them and ask for help.
  • Sliwa keeps wearing it decades later to visually tie himself to that street-patrol identity, especially when he’s in the subways or campaigning in New York City.

Tribute and memorial meaning

  • Sliwa has said the red beret also serves as a memorial to several Guardian Angels who were killed while trying to stop crimes, and to others seriously injured in the line of duty.
  • He has explained in interviews that when people see the beret, they not only recognize him, but also remember the sacrifices associated with the group’s work on crime and public safety.

Why it’s still a “trending topic”

  • Any time Sliwa jumps back into the news—like during New York City mayoral races or new Guardian Angels patrols—the question “why does Sliwa wear a red hat” starts circulating again in searches and forums.
  • In late 2020s coverage, the beret is often described as an “iconic” or instantly recognizable symbol, so it naturally becomes part of political and pop-culture discussion online.

In short, he wears the red beret because it’s the Guardian Angels’ symbol, a visual signal of safety on the streets and subways, and a personal tribute to members who died or were hurt doing that work.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.