How to Dress Like a Hippie

When hippie culture was fresh, dressing like a hippie was countercultural and shocking. The image of hippie culture has softened with time so that anyone can dress like a hippie and enjoy the comfortable fashions and eclectic colors of the era. Whether you find your hippie clothing at a boutique or sew it at home, make room in your wardrobe for some of these retro styles.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Patchwork clothes
• Tie-dye clothes
• Feather accessories
• Beaded accessories
• Chain belts
• Headbands
• Flowers
• Yarn
• Fringe
• Leather sandals
• Anklets
• Ankle bells

1. Include several patchwork items in your wardrobe. You can shop for vintage patchwork pants or vests for authentic psychedelic color combinations. If you can sew well enough to attach squares of cloth together, you can make a patchwork bag.
2. Expand your tie-dye horizons from t-shirts to pants, purses and dresses. Even hippie sheets look groovy when accented by a homemade tie-dye job.
3. Accessorize with feathers, beads, chain belts and headbands. Look for belts and jewelry that feature the peace sign, and tuck a flower into your headband whether you're male or female. In hippie culture, we are all flower children.
4. Learn to macramé, crochet or knit. If you possess one of these skills, you can create any hippie wardrobe staple from a ball of yarn. A hand-crocheted duster with matching crocheted pants sets you apart as a true hippie.
5. Leave your bra in your dresser. Hippie women don't care for the restraint of this undergarment.
6. Add fringe to any top or bottom. Choose fringe at least 2 inches in length or longer for a dramatic look. Save beaded fringe for your most revered hippie garments.
7. Go barefoot when possible. Leather sandals work when the protest or concert venue prohibits bare feet. You can accent your feet with anklets or ankle bells.