One of the most iconic and nostalgic styles in the 20th century is the hippie 70s fashion. It was based on rebellion, freedom, and individuality, and this aspect has influenced modern trends. This paper examines the major components of the hippie fashion of the 70s and how these effects can be traced in contemporary wardrobes.
The Origins of Hippie 70s Fashion
The hippie fashion of the 70s did not appear at once. It came to fruition due to the social movements in the 1960s, when young people went against the norms of mainstream society. The emergence of the counterculture promoted a relaxed non-conformist lifestyle.
The epoch was full of love for nature and harmony, and the urge to self-expression. Dress styles were used as a way of denying the norms and adopting individualism and liberation.
Key Elements of Hippie Fashion
There are several key characteristics of the fashion ideas of the 70s. It is difficult to find a more striking feature than the use of bright colors and bizarre designs. Hippies adopted all forms of tie-dye prints, elaborate ethnic motifs, as well as wore them day to day.
The other feature of this style was the natural fabric, comfort, and unstructured clothes. The fashion of hippies was loose in nature, including bell-bottoms, large dresses, and loose shirts.
Bohemian Influence on Hippie Fashion
The Bohemian style had a massive impact on the hippie 70s fashions. This style was characterized by flowing clothes, ethnic designs, and natural colors, with the focus on a free-spiritedness. The appearance displayed a life that was based on creativity and art.
Vintage clothes and homemade accessories were also adopted by the Boho style. This aspect of hippie 70s style was entirely unique, and every clothing item or accessory was a personal statement.
The Rise of Bell-Bottom Jeans
The bell-bottom jeans are one of the most identifiable symbols of the hippie fashion of the 70s. Such puffy pants had become a fashion of the time and represented liberation and revolution. The broader hems were movable and, thus, had been used in dancing and socialization.
Fringed jackets, psychedelic prints, or oversized shirts were popularly worn with the bell-bottoms. The larger the flare, the larger the iconic appearance.
Psychedelic Prints and Tie-Dye
Psychedelic patterns could not have been left out in 70s hippie fashion. Typically, these swirling and bold patterns were colorful being reminiscent of the psychedelic drugs in both color and experience. The trend was heavily influenced by psychedelic rock music.
Tie-dye dresses and shirts, and accessories were in use. The DIY spirit of the time led to the production of a colorful movement of hand-dyed clothes that helped develop the atmosphere of inventiveness that dominated the decade.
The Role of Fringed Jackets and Ponchos
Fringe was also a significant element of the hippie 70s trend, covering jackets, handbags, etc. Jackets made of fringed leather and suede, and ponchos were worn as a mark of individuality and freedom.
These works tended to represent the hippie movement as people were in love with nature, and the fringe was imitating the movement of nature, such as grass and water. They were the mainstays of hippie 70s, and they added a feel, a sense of earthiness, to the clothes.
Natural Materials and Eco-Friendly Choices
The hippie movement was in close relation with nature, and it was reflected in clothes too. Many of the hippies preferred wearing attire that was made of natural fabrics like cotton, hemp and wool. These were environmentally friendly fabrics, at the same time fitting into the anti-industrial and pro-sustainability stance of the movement.
Comfort was also a characteristic of hippie 70s fashion, and this was also delivered with natural materials. The design of the clothing was to be easy and moveable in accordance with the relaxed living style of the hippies.
Incorporating Hippie Style in Modern Fashion
The fashion of the hippies of the 70s is not something of the past. Its impact is evident in current-day fashion. The influence of this iconic style is still felt in various designs and fashion trends of many modern designers and fashion lovers.
The hippie style can be used in your wardrobe now, but it is best to begin with the basics of skirts with folds, peasant blouses, and fringed accessories. These can be paired with modern pieces to have a 70s hippie fashion outlook in a modern way.
Modern Day Tie-Dye and Psychedelic Prints
Tie-dye, which was a popular hippie style of the 70s, has come back in recent times. Having emerged in the high-end fashion runways and the everyday street wear, the tie-dye has become a flexible trend commonly reinvented with new color schemes.
The psychedelic prints are also used to inspire fashion, particularly in the summer collections and at festivals. Such psychedelic and colored patterns enable the wearer to stand out among the hippies of the 70s.
How to Create a Hippie-Inspired Look
At this point, the hippie 70s fashion appearance is a mishmash of comfort, creativity, and individuality. A boho-style blouse or a fringed vest must be started with, and it should be worn with a full-flowing skirt or bell-bottom jeans. Put on big sunglasses, rings with peace signs, or a flower headband as an accessory to that true hippie thing.
Layering is one of the necessities in order to make the appearance look realistic, so that there is no need to be afraid of mixing the textures and patterns. A scarf or a shawl can be added to the outfit. The hippie style can be found in thrift stores and vintage shops.
The Cultural Influence of Hippie Fashion
Hippie fashion of the 70s did not stop at the style of clothes. The period was closely connected with the counterculture movement, which was a rebellion against the social conventions and promoted political movements. The dresses of this period were representative of the changes in the larger culture of society.
Hippie fashion has a soul to this day, not only in the style, but also in the movements of peace, sustainability, and social justice. A lot of values that the hippies held in the 70s remain relevant to the younger generations.
Celebrities and Iconic Figures in hippie fashion of the 70s
The hippie fashion of the 1970s was adopted as inspiration by several of the most famous personalities of the 21st century. Celebrities such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Grace Slick were not only music idols; they were also fashion idols because they contributed to setting the trend of the time.
These celebrities made the bohemian appearance popular, and their presence is evident in the current fashion style. Whether on stage or at the festival, these celebrities were dressed in clothes that were the ideal symbol of the rebellious feel of that period, free-spirited.
Hippie 70s Fashion and Music Festivals
The hippie fashion movement, music festivals such as Woodstock, were a focus of the 70s. The music industry and the fashion industry were connected, and the music conveyed the same message of peace, love and unity.
The spirit of the free spirit of the 70s is still present in such music festivals as Coachella and Burning Man, even in modern times. Dressers are likely to be in a bohemian style, which was also characteristic of the period.
FAQ’s
What was the most trendy product in hippie 70s fashion?
Bell-bottom jeans had probably been the most recognizable item in hippie 70s fashion. The fact that they were flared represented the freedom and rebellion of the era.
How do I integrate the hippie style in my wardrobe?
To include the 70s hippie fashion, emphasize the bohemian style in terms of flowing skirts, ethnic prints, and fringed jackets. And don’t overlook such accessories as peace sign jewelry and flower headbands.
What is the reason why hippie fashion is still relevant nowadays?
The hippie fashion of the 70s still has an impact on modern fashion as it prioritized personal uniqueness, creativity, and sustainability, which are highly valued in modern trends.
Conclusion
Hippie 70s fashion was not just a type of dressing since it was a cultural movement that preached freedom, peace, and self-expression. The 70s fashion may continue to be an inspiration in the modern wardrobe, as witnessed with the bell-bottom jeans or tie-dye shirts. The hippie fashion of the 70s is eternal, as it has always been the case, even decades ago, because you might want to add the retro touch to your wardrobe or to live in the mood of the time.