What Does It Mean to Be a Hippie?

The hippie movement originated in the United States during the 1960s. This trend is primarily defined by its pacifism, its rejection of societal rules enforced by the establishment, such as working and being enslaved by consumer culture, and its struggle against the Vietnam War.

The Hippie Lifestyle

Being a hippie is primarily a philosophy, a mindset influenced by Eastern cultures. Freedom was their motto! The freedom to express themselves with their bodies as they wish, with long hair and embracing bohemian-style outfits.

Back in the day, hippies turned to cannabis and various mind-altering substances to escape to a world they believed was better, one that is synonymous with happiness.

Although they didn't manage to achieve their goal of changing the world, the hippies did succeed in helping to end the Vietnam War. Many young people who were called up for military service refused to take part in what they viewed as the commitments of an overly idealistic America.

The hippie movement has left its mark on society, such as 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 music trend is emerging from this hippie movement, featuring a pop/rock sound with rebellious lyrics.

Festivals are happening all over the place, attracting large crowds who set up camp to spend the night and get the best spots. For festival-goers, this becomes a gathering place, almost like a pilgrimage.

Shunned by society simply because they are inactive and live in a community, they are seen as outcasts. These concerts provide them a space 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, outside the city in the Catskill Mountains. Originally, it was set to host 50,000 spectators from August 15 to 17, 1969, but it ended up attracting 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, against all odds. The weather conditions did not cause any electrocution fatalities. However, there will be 3 reported deaths due to overdose or an accident involving a tractor that drove over a tent in the middle of the night.

One might think that the festival has been held every year. But that's not the case. In fact, numerous logistical issues led the organisers to incur debts. The reason? Many people managed to sneak in without paying. Back then, the entry fee was just 6 dollars. There were significant losses, and they couldn't cover the rental of equipment and the artists' fees. Repeated interventions by emergency services for individuals completely out of their minds on drugs brought an end to this event, which has become quite historic.

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 in the 70s, their fashion was often quite basic or very rustic, especially for the women. Some even went without shoes, while others would wear sandals when they felt like it. For men, it was all about loose trousers and a sleeveless jacket, while women sported a long floral dress or a very short one.

Bohème Long Dresses

Hair was worn very long for both girls and boys, which was a way for them to respond 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 generally wore very little. Women typically carried a fringed crossbody bag, often made of brown suede or similar material.

This appearance clearly reflected their refusal to accept consumer society as it was being promoted to the public. For them, capitalism only served to fund wars while they advocated for peace.

Back then, society was divided between outsiders and the "well-bred". While the hippies sported brightly coloured and very "bohemian" clothing, the others preferred turtlenecks and miniskirts with tights for the girls, and pullovers with jeans for the boys. The only common thread between these two groups might be the bell-bottom pants that survived into the following decades.

The hippie outfit evolved with the rise of disco, becoming more stylish yet maintaining that carefree vibe. It transformed into a city outfit, with less emphasis on the psychedelic attitude. This gave birth to bohemian fashion, featuring clothing inspired by hippie styles but much more chic and refined, suitable for any occasion. If you're a fan of this style, we recommend checking out our must-have collection of long bohemian dresses.