Hippie Clothes... for Non-Conformist Fashion

By Dee Allyn

The Hippie Era

Hippie clothes originated during the counter-culture movement of the 1960's and 1970's, and during that era it was practically ubiquitous among college students and others who wanted to express their rejection of mainstream American values by wearing clothing which was considered sloppy and rebellious by more traditional and often older Americans. Today, hippie fashion still persists among the radicals of today who still congregate in Berkeley and San Francisco where they continue the traditions of their predecessors.

The Clothing

However, specific hippie clothes could just as soon be the basis of casual outfits that are worn by creative advertising or online professionals for comfort while working, or even by urban professionals and soccer moms who relax in the clothing of the times that they may well have experienced as children.

Basic hippie clothing, footwear, and accessories include:

+Peasant Blouses
+Long, Full Skirts
+Beaded Necklaces
+Clogs or Flat Sandals
+Bell Bottoms
+Tie-Dye Patterns
+Fringes

Most of these counter-fashion items were and are worn by women, but the flat sandals of the hippie era, and their Birkenstock descendants of today, are considered unisex footwear. Tie-dye patterns and fringes could also be seen on men's jackets and shirts, even if they were more noticeable on women.

What Remains

Today, a full hippie look is unusual except in certain circles and at costume parties, but clogs and flat sandals are popular once again today, and bell bottoms have experienced revivals over the past couple of decades.

Most noticeable among hippie clothing items that have entered and remain in the mainstream of fashion are fringes and long, full skirts. Fringes appear on leather jackets and handbags that are worn in the offices of corporate America more often than at anti-war protests, and long, full skirts are often chosen by women who want to relax in a comfortable, yet attractive, garment at home or on a casual day at work.

The hippie era is gone, and with it went the popularity of the hippie look except among die-hard anti-establishment activists who keep the ethos of those times alive in thought as well as in fashion. However, elements of hippie clothing have indeed entered the mainstream.

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Hippie Fashion, Hippie Clothes, Hippie Clothing