If you think you got the hipster figured out, think again, buddy! There are so many different kinds of hipster, I’m losing track of it myself. However, everything you need to know to guide yourself under the Williamsburg Bridge or wherever else, for that matter, is right here. Because you know, hipsters spread around really fast. As long as there’s wifi for free. Like someone says "Hip is as American as apple pie. We all want a taste".
Defining types of hipsters is more of a cross-sectional assessment of American culture. You can be a hipster jock, a hipster nerd, a hipster Muslim or a hipster Baptist—sometimes all of these at once (hopefully not…). The point is: there are almost as many types of hipsters as there are types of people which entail that there styles are divergent. So, without further ado, enter the parade of hips styles:
The Detached Ironic
These hipsters are media savvy and tabloid-literate, with a penchant for guilty pleasure entertainment. Their interests include watching trashy television with a detached sense of irony and planning parties around cheesy movie marathons or live television events. While popular in large groups and generally mood-lifting people, DIs can be annoyingly distant in close personal relationships due to their pervasive sarcasm and difficulty with serious situations. Statement tees are where it’s at—the most original, ironic, and retro the better. Heavy on accessories like sunglasses and trucker hats too. Trendy, self-referential stores like Urban Outfitters, Hot Topic, and Hollister are big with these hipsters.
The Amateur
Amateur is someone who has a superficial, yet passionate admiration for the arts. In other words, this is the artsy-fartsy hipster who really doesn’t know that much about art, but likes the image. They love art openings, gallery parties, and all things "fringe" in the world of cinema, music, theater, or whatever. They have respectable taste because they associate enough with real artists who tend to have good taste. Sometimes they tend toward art-criticism and usually have a job and life completely separate from the weekend art binge. Cocktail party chic, skinny jeans, t-shirt and blazer look is popular for guys; heeled-boots, slinky dress and bohemian Anthopologie jewelry for girls. Lots of unnatural hair color is their pref also.
The Excursionist
The excursionist hipsters are those who can’t stay in one place for more than a year. In other words, known as the jet-setting international kid or the hostel-hopping backpacker. These hipsters are typically multi-lingual and well versed in international relations. They work hard and spend almost all of their money on traveling, though often they combine work and travel by getting jobs or internships abroad. They usually go in for jeans, hiking boots, all-weather outerwear. L.L. Bean for the preppies in the lot. Thrifty cheapness (H&M) for the others.
The Neo-Gothic
Different from the past, the gothic have been a mainstay of "alternative" lifestyle, and have scared scores of parents and church ladies over the years. Goths are pretty easy to pinpoint, but vary widely in demeanor and background. Obviously style, lots of black, black clothes, black fish-net stockings, black hair (most likely dyed, with streaks of various sorts), black nails, black eye-liner, etc. Tends toward the freakish, with dungeon/S&M touches here and there. Suits and dresses are welcome, though they must be sleek, dark and mysterious. Proper hairdos include the "one eye shrouded" look, because they believe that "the world is too dark and painful to look at with both eyes."
The Pacifist
Today, hipster activism is usually anti-war or anti-globalization, or otherwise economic in nature (fair trade, third-world debt, etc). Activist hipsters make their voice heard in many other social causes as well: urban poverty, education, civil rights, etc. They take pride in being "in solidarity" with the trampled-on and disadvantaged in life, and often live in the midst of them. Fashion: Che Guevera chic (formerly turtleneck-and-beret mod chic). Sometimes militaristic, lots of army-surplus, t-shirts with hand-written messages or pictures, etc… Varies a lot though, as Activist hipsters come from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds.
The Health Nut
This type of hipster might trace its origins to the hippie communes that dotted the countryside during the 60s rebellion against McDonalds consumerism. The organic, "live off the land," "we hate preservatives" attitude of these hippies is alive and well in today’s assortment of "tight-abs and Power Bar" health junkies. These are the hipsters who run a lot, frequent stores like GNC and Wild Oats, and participate in the aerobic fitness craze du jour. They enjoy the outdoors and shun most television or "couch-potato" behavior. They always come with latest in sportswear and comfortable running/cross-training shoes. Eddie Bauer, North Face, Nike, etc. Lots of fleece and outdoorsy fabrics. Sunglasses tend toward the wrap-around, ski styles. Beanies and visors are the headgear of choice.
Part 1 of this article is at http://jotecs.wordpress.com/2011/08/26/hips-shot-digest-the-eclectic-of-hipster-style-part-1/
Author Resource:
The Urban Apparel is an indie clothing online shop and one of the best hipster clothing stores. Committed to providing quality and trendy products with a focus on retro indie clothing. Included in their collections are hipster clothing, indie dress, indie jewelry, indie tee shirt and indie clothes for women. http://www.theurbanapparel.com
