What Does It Mean to Be a Hippie?

The hippie movement originated in the United States during the 1960s. It's characterized primarily by its pacifism, its rejection of societal norms such as working and being enslaved by consumer culture, and its struggle against the war in Vietnam.

The Hippie Lifestyle

Being a hippie is primarily a philosophy, a mindset inspired by Eastern cultures. Being free, that was their motto! The freedom to express themselves with their bodies as they see fit, with long hair, embracing bohemian-style clothing.

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

Although they didn't quite achieve their goal of changing the world, the hippies did manage to bring an end to the Vietnam War. Many young people who were called up for military service refused to take part in what they referred to as the commitments of a self-righteous America.

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

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

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

Festivals are popping up everywhere, drawing large crowds who set up camp for the night to get a front-row experience. Attendees see it as a place to come together, much like a pilgrimage.

Rejected by society simply for being inactive and living in a community, they are seen as outcasts. These concerts allow them to come together without the fear of being judged by others.

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

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

It will continue for another day, come what may. The weather conditions did not cause any fatalities by electrocution. However, there are three reported deaths due to overdose or an accident involving a tractor that passed over a tent in the middle of the night.

One might think that the festival has been held every year. However, that's not the case. In fact, numerous logistical issues led to the organisers incurring debts. The reason? Many people gained entry without paying. Back then, admission was only six dollars. There were significant losses, and they couldn’t cover the equipment rental or pay the artists. Repeated interventions by emergency services for individuals completely out of it on drugs ultimately brought this historic event to an end.

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

Hippie Fashion Style

It’s clear that when we look at the hippies from the 1970s, their style was often quite basic or very rustic for the women. Some went without shoes altogether, while others opted for sandals when they bothered to wear any. For the men, it was all about baggy pants and a sleeveless top, while women sported a long floral dress or something very short.

Long Bohemian Dresses

Hair was worn very long by both girls and boys, which was a response to the soldiers who had their heads shaved once they enlisted in the military. Girls, of course, paid very little attention to grooming when it came to body hair. Often wandering, the hippie didn't carry much with them. Women typically had a fringed shoulder bag, often made of brown suede or similar material.

This attitude clearly reflected their resistance to accepting consumerist society as it was being promoted to the public. For them, capitalism only served to fund wars while they advocated for peace.

It's fair to say that back in those days, society was divided between the outcasts and the "well-born". While the hippies sported brightly coloured and very "bohemian" clothing, another segment of the population favoured turtlenecks and miniskirts with tights for the girls, and jumpers and jeans for the boys. The only common thread between these two groups might be the flared trousers that have persisted through the following decades.

The hippie style evolved with the rise of disco, becoming more sophisticated while still maintaining its essence. It transitioned into a city-friendly outfit, with a toned-down psychedelic touch. This gave birth to bohemian fashion, which draws from the hippie aesthetic but is much more chic and refined, suitable for any occasion. If you love this style, we recommend checking out our must-have collection of long bohemian dresses.