What does it mean to be a hippie?

The hippie movement originated in the United States during the 1960s. It's a trend primarily characterised by its pacifism, a rejection of the established rules set by society, such as working and being enslaved by consumerism, and its opposition to the Vietnam War.

The Hippie Lifestyle

Being a hippie is primarily a philosophy, a state of mind inspired by Eastern countries. Freedom was their motto! The freedom to manage their bodies as they please, with long hair and embracing bohemian-style clothing.

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

Although they didn’t quite manage to achieve their goal of changing the world, the hippies did succeed in bringing an end to the Vietnam War. Many young people who were called up for military service refused to take part in what they dubbed the commitments of a morally upright America.

The hippie movement left its mark on society, including the liberation of social norms, protests against gender inequality, and injustices faced by minorities.

Woodstock: The Birth of a Unique Music Genre and Festival

A brand new musical movement is emerging from this hippie era, featuring a pop/rock sound with provocative lyrics.

Festivals are popping up in various locations, drawing large crowds who camp overnight to secure a front-row spot. Festival-goers see these events as a gathering place, almost like a pilgrimage.

Rejected by society simply for being inactive and living communally, they are seen as outcasts. These concerts provide a space for them to come together, free from the judgment of others.

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

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 have not caused any fatalities by electrocution. However, we will count three deaths, either due to overdose or an accident involving a tractor that drove over a tent in the middle of the night.

One might think the festival was organised every year. However, that’s not the case. In fact, numerous logistical issues led the organisers to incur significant debts. The reason? Many people managed to sneak in without paying. At the time, the entry fee was just 6 dollars. There were considerable losses and they couldn’t cover the cost of hiring equipment and paying the artists. The repeated intervention of emergency services for individuals completely off their heads on drugs ultimately brought this historic event to an end.

The organisers had no choice but to sell the rights to Warner in order to clear their debts. If you’d like to learn more about this legendary hippie festival, check out our dedicated article on the Woodstock Festival.

The Hippie Style

It's clear that when you look at the hippies from the 70s, their outfits were often simple or very rustic for the women. Some went without shoes altogether, while others wore sandals if they bothered to wear anything at all. For the men, it was all about loose-fitting pants and a bare-chested top, while women sported a long floral dress or something really short.

Bohemian Maxi Dresses

For both girls and boys, hair was worn very long, which was a way of responding to the soldiers who had their heads shaved once they enlisted in the army. Girls, of course, paid very little attention to grooming. Often seen as drifters, hippies didn't carry much with them. Women typically had a fringed crossbody bag, often made of brown suede or similar material.

This attitude clearly demonstrated their refusal to accept consumer society as it was being thrust upon the public. For them, capitalism merely funded wars while they advocated for peace.

It's worth noting that at that time, society was divided between the outcasts and the "well-born". While the hippies wore very colourful and "bohemian" clothing, another group opted for turtlenecks and mini skirts with tights for the girls, and a jumper and jeans for the boys. The only common feature between the two groups was perhaps the flared jeans, which survived in the following decades.

The hippie style has evolved with the rise of disco, becoming more refined and chic. It transformed into a city outfit, minus the psychedelic vibes. From this, the bohemian trend was born—outfits with hippie influences but much more elegant and sophisticated, suitable for any occasion. If you love this style, we recommend checking out our must-have collection of long bohemian dresses.