Dress as a Hippie – A Home Guide

Each period has its style: the ‘20s came with the flapper girl and dandy style, the ‘40s bring vivid colors and restore the hourglass shape, while the ’80s and ‘90s are dedicated to the disco style. Yet, probably one of the most vibrant styles that the modern world has gone through is the hippie style. Characteristic to the ’60′s and early 70′s, the hippie movement was not only highly influential when it came to social reasoning, but also one of the major fashion rule-maker of the time.

The long skirts, the tie-dye clothing, the headbands, the long hair, the vibrant colors and natural fabrics were all part of the hippies’ identity. Their clothes were not only meant to cover their bodies, but rather to make a statement. Nowadays, the hippie movement is only a fond memory for those growing up in the era, but is a source of inspiration for the younger ones. There are still isolated and aging groups following the hippie tradition.

Celebrate their movement this Halloween by dressing as a hippie! Many people choose hippie costumes due to the great social and cultural implications it has had. Positive feelings like love, peace and harmony blended with free sexual desires and drug addiction in a fascinating lifestyle. Thus, many people tend to make use of hippie costumes to emphasize one or the other part of the hippie life.

Another reason for which hippie costumes are quite popular is the fact that there are still authentic hippie pieces which can be used for dressing up. Just look in yours or mother’s wardrobe and you may find some clothing items influenced by those tumultuous years. If you can not find anything there, there’s garage sales and second-hand stores. You can even make something yourself in tie dye!

Have plenty or old clothes from different periods and you do not know exactly which one is in the hippie style and which not? Here are some clues which will help you find it out and make a great hippie costume without spending a dime.

Hippie skirts and dresses

If you are a woman,you can show your femininity with a long, peasant-like skirt or a similar dress. Choose a skirt that is below your ankle and softly touches the ground, in a light material, with a floral or tie-dye pattern (the same goes for a dress). Add a knitted poncho or a large shawl to cover the top part of your body. Use natural fibers only, as hippies called for a return to nature. Thus, if you have any synthetic fibers in your wardrobe, they are certainly not for that period.

Bell- bottoms

One of the major trends in hippie fashion, along with tie-dye clothing, was wide openings in pants and shirts, called bell-bottoms. Thus, look for pants and blouses in the bell-bottom style for a more accurate hippie look. Add a leather belt to your faded, bell-bottom jeans, a fringed vest and a tie-dye bell-bottom shirt and you obtain the perfect hippie look. If you do not like the tie-dye clothing you can very well replace it with white, another favorite color.

Hippie footwear

Choose light footwear for your hippie outfit, preferably flip-flops. Flower patterns are preferred for footwear too so you either look for already imprinted shoes or you add some plastic or fabric flowers to some plain flip flops or shoes for a hippie look. If you cannot find anything in the attic, you can use a pair of old flip flops and customize them according to your preferences.

Hippie accessories

Hippie accessories were a reinforcement of their connection with nature. Necklaces made of shells, beads, bracelets made of leather and/or beads, metals (excluding precious metals, like silver and gold) and natural fibers (cotton, hemp and silk) were highly appreciated by hippies. Also, headbands in vivid colors, tie-dye or with flower patterns were extremely fashionable at the time.

Crocheted garments, hand-made accessories and natural flowers were other hippie practical ways of covering and/or embellishing their bodies. So do your best to find something similar in your wardrobe. If you found almost all the necessary items but miss one key element to complete your outfit, you can always search the thrift shops or the garage sells for some old clothes matching the hippie style. You can find great bargains that will help you complete your hippie look for a tenth of what a new one would have cost you.

If you are planning in being a hippie make sure you leave your hair grow with a few weeks before the party. An untamed, “natural” look will go great with the hippie clothing. Not willing to change your aspect outside the party? Then choose some fake facial hair (for men) and a long wig to look more like the ‘60s peace activists.

Searching the back of your wardrobe can reveal numerous “treasures” hidden there. Use them and your imagination and create stylish and accurate hippie costumes without spending a dollar!