Hippie fashion has been iconic since the 1960's. Hippies are known for wearing what they want and not caring about the latest fashion trends. From old band tees, to floral maxi skirts, to wide leg pants, to bold sweaters; hippie fashion is really whatever you want to make it. This post includes a capsule wardrobe for the modern day hippie.
History of Hippie Fashion:
In the mid-1960's, hippies created one of the most influential fashion reform movements. Their fashion was so outrageous and bold, this alone made the hippie movement hard to ignore.
Their clothes were an extension of who they were and what the believed in. The Hippie movement was created to promote peace, love, freedom, non-conformity, free speech, free love, sexual freedom, anti-war, anti-racism, and anti-establishment. Their garments represented this movement with mixed and matched, oversized, colorful, comfortable, eye-catching and political pieces.
"Sometimes their fashion became not a second skin, but the exposure of their own nude bodies, painted and patterned in tribal fashion; this was a celebration of instinctual expression that they believed had been obliterated by industrialization." - Joel Lobenthal
The hippie movement is what lit the spark for ecological consciousness in fashion. From salvaging vintage clothes, to cannibalizing fabrics from sheets, curtains, or blankets to transform into their own unique garments. The movement was a way to "stick it to the man," who they felt brainwashed people into limiting themselves to what society thought they were only capable of achieving. For example, men always wore business suits for work, while housewives were expected to wear body-clinging dresses or skirts.
As the movement continued into the 1970's and 80's, women felt more comfortable wearing long flowy maxi dresses, while men wore straight-leg jeans and over-sized shirts. The movement still remained the same, but fashion evolved with the decades.
In the 1990's and early 2000's, women rocked mom jeans, flared jeans, and wide-leg jeans. The hippie movement has since been a major influence in fashion trends and still makes a positive reminder to embrace who you are.
In the present day, hippie fashion is whatever you want it to be. Maxi dresses, wide-leg jeans, flowy skirts, colorful garments, no bras, and oversized clothing have become ever-lasting trends in fashion.
Below, I've created a modern day hippie capsule wardrobe with a little bit of everything. At the very end of this blog post, I've also added personal photos of some of my favorite outfits that I feel truly represent me. I hope it brings some inspiration your way for creating an awesome hippie wardrobe!
GRAPHIC TEES:
Old band tees and graphic tees are such a fun item to have in your wardrobe. You can tuck it into your jeans or tie a knot on the side when wearing with a skirt or dress.
BOLD SWEATERS:
Bold sweaters and cardigans are a must in a modern day hippie wardrobe. Hippies are known for standing out in the crowd and making bold statements with their clothing. You can style your sweaters or cardigans with jeans, skirts or dresses - the possibilities are endless!
MAXI SKIRTS & JEANS:
I don't know about you, but I am truly obsessed with maxi skirts. I have about 2-4 different maxi skirts I wear constantly because they are so comfortable and easy to style. Another favorite of mine is wide leg jeans. So cute with some heeled booties and a sweater for winter or a tee during the summer!
FLORAL DRESSES & OVERALLS:
Another obsession of mine are floral dresses. I have about 2-4 different floral maxi dresses I love wearing and never get tired of. The one thing I am personally missing from my hippie wardrobe is a pair of overalls. I am on the hunt for the perfect pair and you best believe this will be an added item to my closet very soon.
Below, I've included some photos of my favorite outfits I've captured within the last year. Being a modern day hippie, I love to mix and match pieces to create something unique.
Share below what your favorite look is!
My personal wardrobe:
"Conformity is the only real fashion crime. To not dress like yourself and to sublimate your spirit to some kind of group identity is succumbing to fashion fascism." - Simon Doonan