The marked difference between hippie and hipster shows that the words hippie and hipster are different and not interchangeable. However, due to many similarities that existed between them, it is difficult for people to identify the difference between them. Hipster is a slang that was used in the 1940s. It disappeared in the middle and appeared again in the 1990s. The term Hipster refers to young middle class adults whose interests are fashion and culture. The Hippies were part of a subculture that appeared in the 1960s in the United States. Hippie was a youth movement that spread far and wide to other countries as well. It is believed that the term ‘hippie’ was coined from the word ‘hipster’.
Who is a Hippie?
This is how the Oxford English dictionary defines a hippie. A hippie is ‘(Especially in the 1960s) a person of unconventional appearance, typically having long hair and wearing beads, associated with a subculture involving a rejection of conventional values and the taking of hallucinogenic drugs.’ It is interesting to note that hippies created their own social groups and held on to sexual revolution, used drugs as a means to experience different states of consciousness. In fact, they preferred the use of drugs such as marijuana and LSD. They listened to psychedelic rock music.
It is true that hippies chose their own way of life and searched new meaning in life. They were interested in getting themselves freed from societal restrictions.
Hippies swerved from social norms in the manner of their dressing. Their dress made them immediately recognizable to others. Hippies always traveled light. They never worried whether they carried money. They would not mind even if the reservations were not made in hotel rooms for them to stay. In fact, they stayed overnight in other hippie households. In short, hippies believed in freedom of movement. Hippie movement was considered a kind of revolution. It touched the pinnacle of popularity in the 1970s.
Who is a Hipster?
A hipster, according to the Oxford English dictionary, is ‘a person who follows the latest trends and fashions, especially those regarded as being outside the cultural mainstream.’ This is, however, an informal word. The hipsters, on the other hand, enjoyed listening to indie rock music and took delight in the reading of magazines such as Vice and Clash.
Hipsters avoid labels and being labeled. It is quite interesting to note that hipsters dress the same and act the same. It is said that Hipsters conform in their non-conformity.
In British English, trousers cut to fit and fasten at the hips are also known as hipsters.
What is the difference between Hippie and Hipster?
• Hipster is a slang that refers to young middle class adults whose interests are fashion and culture.
• On the other hand, hippies were part of a subculture that appeared in the 1960s in the United States.
• It is believed that the term ‘hippie’ was coined from the word ‘hipster’.
• Though both were for counter culture, hipsters did not want to conform to the mainstream cultural norms whereas hippies rejected the conventional values and norms and wanted to be free from societal restrictions. They created their own social groups and held on to sexual revolution, used drugs as a means to experience different states of consciousness.
• Both loved music that none others really like, but the hippies listened more to psychedelic rock music while hipsters were for indie rock music.
• Both swerved from social norms in the manner of their dressing, but the way they dressed was different. Hippies were identified with their bellbottoms whereas hipsters with their skinny jeans.
• Hippies were mostly poor, but hipsters spend lot of money to appear poor.
• The distinct feature of hipsters is mainly their fashion. They do not show care or concern about anything. But, when it comes to hippies, they had many other things that distinguished them from other social groups. They were in search of new meaning in life and believed in freedom in movement.
• In British English, trousers cut to fit and fasten at the hips are also known as hipsters.
Now, it must be clear to you that though the words hippie and hipster are very much similar in appearance they refer to two different kinds of people. If you do not know the difference you can very well call one from the wrong name.
Images Courtesy:
- Hippie by alexkon (CC BY-SA 2.0)
- Hipster by Jack Newton (CC BY-SA 2.0)