By ana maria kresina
photo credit: Sam Norris
You can’t seem to miss them, they’re everywhere, invading every local pub like a plague – they wear tight skinny jeans and v-neck shirts poking out of their American Apparel hoodies. They sport asymmetrical haircuts and oversized thick plastic-framed glasses. They smoke their cigarettes and drink their Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. With their edgy fashion sense and slack lifestyle, hipsters are here to take over the world.
With the sudden emergence of hipsters, many writers, most notably Douglas Haddow, criticizes the subculture by stating they have become “shameless clichés of a class of individuals that seek to escape their own wealth and privilege by immersing themselves in the aesthetic of the working class” in his article Hipster: The Dead End of Western Civilization (Adbusters Issue #79). Hipsters might rebel from the privileged background they grew up in, but this isn’t a new concept. Punks, hippies, and social activists have all done the same thing. The only difference is that hipsters. aren’t looking to make a political statement, they just want to have fun while looking fashionable.
And what’s wrong with that? Although the hipster movement might not be a politically or socially charged one, it seems as their prime focus is to have a good time. Who doesn’t want to have a few beers, dance, and surround themselves with good company? Why is it that every time a new subculture emerges, they are expected to stand up for a cause, to argue a point, or to protest?
Hipsters should be recognized for their subversive consumerist views, instead of being expected to act as a revolutionist. Hipsters are incredibly consumer conscious individuals, seeing as they often buy used clothing. The recycling of garments not only gives their style a fashionable flair, but it also promotes a green attitude towards re-using clothing. Vintage shopping is a way of finding a one-of-a-kind outfit while still expressing oneself as a hip individual. Finding an accessory that is no longer fashionable, but matches the oversized top and tights is always a plus.
Within their stylish wardrobe, there are specific must-have – such as colourful plastic framed glasses, and of course the keffiyah. The keffiyah is originally a symbolic garment worn by Arab’s to shelter them from sun and sand. The cloth, which is typically made from cotton, is usually worn on the head, but within this new fashion context it is being used as a scarf. Though the keffiyah is seen as a cultural and political statement, in the eyes of a hipster it is just a cool patterned cloth that looks great on a white shirt and jeans. Even though the symbolism behind the keffiyah might be lost in wearing the fashionable garment, it has allowed for political discourse.
When the keffiyah was first introduced at Urban Outfitters, it was an instant hit, but after being associated with terrorism, the company pulled the scarf’s and apologized for being offensive. Once again, this isn’t a new concept. Castro’s green military hat was also a fashionable article of clothing and provoked discussion when it first emerged in the fashion scene, and although it was politically charged, it too, like the keffiyah was reduced to just a piece of fabric, that is associated within a specific cultural or political spectrum.
Often hipsters have a strong sense of community. They hang out at the local pub, supporting smaller businesses to succeed, instead of wasting their time waiting in line-ups for over-priced stuffy clubs that charge over ten dollars to get in. Instead they enjoy the simple things in life, like drinking cheap beer, and taking numerous pictures (both digital and analog), and spending mom and dad’s hard earned cash.
They might not be revolutionaries, but this new and innovative hipster movement is one that can enjoy life while looking damn good doing it.
hey, no more pretentious non-capitalization of your name!