Oxford Dictionary defines a hippy (especially in the 1960s) “as a person of unconventional appearance, typically having long hair, associated with a subculture involving a rejection of conventional values and the taking of hallucinogenic drugs”. Hippie is also referred to as the subculture associated with it.
The Hippie movement is considered one of the most revolutionizing and influential dress reforms of the 20th century. The hippies were rebels and dropouts of the Haight-Ashbury community of San Francisco in the mid-1960s. Their outrageous and anomalous dressing style was impossible to ignore. Added to that, their lifestyle, their fashion sense taking after San Francisco and California's tradition of iconoclasm made a distinctive look.
They took a stand against materialism and repression. Their fashion included long hair, casual and unconventional dresses, and a focus on “psychedelic” colors. Many males grew beards, and both men and women wore sandals and beads. Long flowing, granny dresses were popular with women and rimless granny glasses with both men and women.
Hippie clothes were made of natural fibers like cotton and hemp and loose in size emphasizing fussy styling. The black turtlenecks and trousers worn by the Beatniks, male and female, morphed into peasant blouses and jeans. Anything handmade, whether sewn, knit, or woven as macramé, was worn. Popular patterns included Psychedelic designs, Op art, tie-dye, Paisley, Stripes (even the bell bottoms), and floral prints. Hiphugger bell-bottom jeans, preferably with fringe at the ankle and flower patches, were seen everywhere. Peasant blouses, T-shirts, or just a skimpy halter top all went well with jeans.
The hemlines which started going up in the 20s went further above. Women wore mini and micro mini skirts. Dresses were either short and skimmed the body, or they were long, loose peasant or granny dresses. The hairs were adorned with flowers. Floral patterns were popular on tops and dresses, and flower patches adorned skirts and jeans. Real flowers were worn in the hair, and flower images were painted on the face.
Women's jewelry was mostly handmade or derived from Native American or similar designs influenced by nature. Beads were very popular, as was any necklace sporting a peace sign. Some women wore necklaces that featured bells as pendants, and many wore jangly ankle bracelets. The ankles received a lot of attention in general as hippies tend to roam barefoot.
