From maxi dresses to peasant blouses, hippie fashion is making a comeback. But how do you wear these out-there statement pieces without looking like you are geared up for a fancy-dress party?
The trick is, unlike the 60s fashion hippie and the 70s fashion hippie, when “More was More”, stick to the fashion rule: “Less is More”.
So rummage for vintage items in flea marets or your parents (or grandparents?) closets, or pick up a more modern interpretation of one of these many hippie style trends.
Hippie fashion
After the highly structured wardrobes of the 40s, 50s and early 60s, the bold, revolutionary style of the hippie took over.
“People exuded peace, love, freedom, and sexual liberation, which was reflected in their flowing, relaxed wardrobes,” says My Modern Met.
And it wasn’t just women who enjoyed these fashion trends: men were empowered to wear flares, long hair, beads and bright kaftans.
So the influence of the hippie – which comes from hip and hipster – still makes its mark today.
Here we look at some enduring hippie trends:
Peasant top
It might be the hallmark of a bygone era but a peasant top is an easy-to-wear classic. Originally a reaction to the formal suitwear of the 1950s and early 60s, the relaxed styling of top is often made from natural fibres, like cotton and linen, and trimmed with folk leanings. A little embroidery on a loose fitting blouse is feminine and forgiving. Just keep the bottoms fitted and simple.
Maxi dress
Although the 60s was also famous for micro minis, its polar opposite – the maxi dress – again was a reaction to fitted, restrictive wear. With bold ethnic prints, it was also a reflection on that era’s interest in ethnic and tribal wear, from cultures outside the western norm.
Nowadays, Camilla, who also specialises in that other hippy fashion staple, the kaftan, does beautifully stylish maxi dresses.
Floppy hat
Everything about hippie style is relaxed, even the wide-brimmed hats that top off a flowing outfit. If hippy fashion is a reaction to the formality that went before it, the floppy hat is the natural answer to the pill box and similar highly structured head-toppers of the previous era.
Flares
From ankle-revealing fitted pedal pushers of the first half of the 1960s to the floor-grazing bell bottoms of the 1970s, what better way to rebel against what your parents wore?
Then, the hippies style rule was everything loose. To modernise the look, we suggest, the wider the flare, the tighter the top, even baring midriff with a crop top of some kind can help balance the proportions. And heels help lengthen the leg, shortened by the wideness of the hem.
Tie Dye
Making your own clothes as part of the hippie rebellion against mass manufacture stretched to dyeing your own clothes, which then became a trend for tie dye.
Now the hippie style staple is no longer just a school holiday activity. With a little finesse, it can be a fashion statement – for men or women.
Round sunglasses
The hippies desire to make the world a better place might be behind a preference for rose-coloured glasses, but it was the round, metal-rimmed style that framed the lenses, such as worn by John Lennon, that seems to define the eyewear of the era.
It’s still a fashion classic today, though leave the coloured lenses to the young ones and opt for a more sophisticated neutral tone. Or not!
Buy Wish rose-coloured sunglasses here
Fringe
As well as being a metaphorical description of the hippie culture – aka the fringe element – fringe edging was also part of the hippie style, whether a leather trim, as in Native American Indian clothes, or longer and shinier, for shimmying in.
From back in her hippie days till now, Cher has always loved a bit of fringe, and she is not alone. Leather fringe can be an elegant trim on a jacket, shoe or bag. Just don’t overdo it.
Buy Toms leather fringe bag here
Headbands
Either made from a swathe of fabric to hold the hair back or an intricate circlet of flowers crowning the head, headbands were a popular accessory in the hippie style, perfect to frame the loose, flowing, natural-looking hair of the trend.
Nowadays, it takes a lot of product to make hair look that effortless.
Beads and statement necklaces
Again, drawing inspiration from ethnic cultures, was the hippies love of long strings of beads and multiple bangles.
Another jewellery option was statement pendants – that could also literally make a statement, such as a peace sign – often on leather thongs.
Buy Oxfam beaded necklace here
Crop tops
She’s not only a little bit country, but Taylor Swift loves a hippie trend, embracing bold patterns, headbands (even if they are priceless jewelled ones) and, as in this pic promoting her upcoming new music, crop tops that bare a bit of belly.
Flower power
The Summer of Love in 1967 also kicked off the era of bold patterns – especially floral ones – for both men and women. Very appropriate as flower power represented the peace-loving movement that the hippies aspired to. The bright colours were also representative of psychedelic trips resulting from dropping acid.
While you don’t need to turn to LSD to wear bright florals, you might want to tone down the look, by restricting this trend to a top or skirt.
Or not. Céline Dion totally rocks her three piece bold print suit. Here it is again for your enjoyment.
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