Was bedeutet es, ein Hippie zu sein?

The hippie movement emerged in the United States during the 1960s. This trend is primarily characterized by its pacifism, its rejection of the rules set by society, such as conforming to work and becoming a slave to consumerism, and its opposition to the Vietnam War.

The Hippie Lifestyle

Being a hippie is primarily a philosophy, a mindset inspired by Eastern cultures. Freedom! That was their motto! The freedom to do with their bodies as they please, with long hair and embracing a bohemian style.

Back in the day, hippies turned to cannabis and artificial highs to escape to a world they believed was better and was synonymous with happiness.

Although they didn’t succeed in achieving their goal of changing the world, the hippies did manage to help end the Vietnam War. Many young people who were drafted refused to participate in what they called the commitments of a self-righteous America.

The hippie movement left its mark on society, such as the liberation of social norms, protests against inequality between men and women, and injustices faced by minorities.

Woodstock: The Birth of a Musical Genre and a Unique Festival

A whole new musical movement is emerging from this hippie era, featuring a pop/rock sound with protest-themed lyrics.

Festivals are held all over the place, drawing large crowds who camp out overnight to secure a prime spot. For festival-goers, it’s an opportunity to come together like a pilgrimage.

Rejected by society simply for being inactive and living in a community, they are seen as outcasts. These concerts provide them with a chance to come together without fear of judgment from others.

The most famous festival was undoubtedly Woodstock, which took place in 1969 in Bethel, New York, in the Catskill Mountains outside the city. Originally intended to host 50,000 spectators from August 15 to 17, 1969, the festival ultimately attracted 500,000 attendees.

They attended performances by legendary artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, Janis Joplin, and Joan Baez.

It will continue for one more day, come what may. The weather conditions did not cause any electrocution victims. However, there will be a total of 3 deaths, either due to overdose or from an accident involving a tractor passing over a tent in the middle of the night.

One might think that the festival was held every year. However, that’s not the case. In fact, numerous logistical issues led the organizers to accumulate debt. The reason? Many people sneaked in without paying. Back then, the admission fee was $6. This resulted in significant losses, making it impossible to cover the costs for equipment rental and artists. The repeated interventions by emergency services for individuals who were completely out of control due to drugs ultimately brought this now-historical event to an end.

The organizers had no choice but to sell the rights to Warner to pay off their debts. If you want to learn more about this legendary hippie festival, check out our dedicated article on the Woodstock Festival.

The Hippie Clothing Style

It’s clear that when observing the hippies in the 1970s, their outfits were often simple or very rustic for the women. Some went without shoes, while others wore sandals if they chose to. For men, it was all about loose pants and a sleeveless tunic, while women sported a long floral dress or a very short one.

Bohemian Long Dresses

Both girls and boys had very long hair, which was their way of responding to soldiers who typically had their heads shaved once they enlisted in the military. Girls, of course, didn’t pay much attention to grooming in terms of hair. Often seen as drifters, hippies didn’t carry much with them. Women, on the other hand, often had a fringed crossbody bag, usually made of brown suede or similar materials.

This attitude clearly reflected their refusal to accept the consumer society that was being pushed onto the public. For them, capitalism only served to fund wars, while they advocated for peace.

It’s important to note that at that time, the population was divided between the outsiders and the “well-born.” While the hippies wore very colorful and “bohemian” clothing, another group favored turtlenecks and miniskirts with tights for girls, and sweaters and jeans for boys. Perhaps the only common ground between these two groups was the bell-bottom pants that survived in the following decades.

The hippie look evolved with the rise of disco, becoming more stylish and refined. It transitioned into a city outfit, minus the psychedelic vibe. This gave birth to bohemian fashion, which retains the essence of the hippie style but is much more chic and sophisticated, making it suitable for various occasions. If you love this style, we recommend our must-have collection of bohemian maxi dresses.