https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 06 Jun 2026 18:28:17 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-377091 Sat, 02 Jul 2011 04:53:08 +0000 Maya 377091@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I know one when I see one, and living in Brooklyn, I surely get my fill. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376989 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 23:29:09 +0000 Diana 376989@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tarzy, that's hilarious! </p> <p>Have you guys seen Hipster Animals?<br /> <a href="http://hipster-animals.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow">http://hipster-animals.tumblr.com/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376984 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 23:23:13 +0000 rachylou 376984@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Alameda Island, in the SF Bay Area, is known as the place where hipsters go to breed. LOL. </p> <p>But not actually untrue... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376971 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 23:06:08 +0000 rae 376971@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OMG, tarzy, the "Myspace photo session" is claaaassic. lol</p> <p>Also not laughing at you , Elisabeth. Just the comedy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376940 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 21:25:44 +0000 tarzy 376940@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If in doubt, you can check out the Hipster Olympics. Or like, don't. Whatever. (Definitely NOT laughing at Elisabeth - just having some fun with hipsters!)</p> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAO4EVMlpwM" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAO4EVMlpwM</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376936 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 21:14:54 +0000 MsMary 376936@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the problem with the Urban Dictionary definition is that it really does boil down to "hipsters are super cool and you are probably one if you are cool and you are into counter-culturey things." It's so broad that if you have any counter-culturey leanings at all, you are likely to read it and go "hey! that seems like it fits me!" </p> <p>For example: "[H]ipsters tend to be well educated and often have liberal arts degrees, or degrees in maths and sciences."</p> <p>Uh, yeah. "[L]iberal arts degrees or degrees in maths and sciences" is, uh, pretty much the entire universe of, you know, (undergraduate, at least) degrees! LOL</p> <p>ETA: Not laughing at you, elisabeth, BTW. Just tickled by this whole discussion! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376933 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:56:52 +0000 Aziraphale 376933@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Greenglove, you have hit on exactly what I was getting at. (I should have made the title of this post more clear). </p> <p>"I think it is interesting because the point is more about the philosophy-actual doers and thinkers- not just the fashion" is what you said. </p> <p>I'd always associated the word "hipster" with a style of dress. I didn't realize there was a whole philosophy attached. When I read that definition, I was thinking, hey, this pretty much describes my philosophy, but I'm not a hipster...or am I?? And now that hipster appears to be associated with poseurs, I'm even less inclined to want that label attached to me. :-)</p> <p>This is why labels are so confusing. I think we need them sometimes, but there's so much darn overlap. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376884 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:47:55 +0000 catgirl 376884@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Warning: no judgment on you here, Elizabeth! I have no real way to judge whether you fit the Urban Dictionary's definition of a hipster.</p> <p>I completely agree with Rae and MaryK. In fact, a lot of genuine counter-culture hipster mores have been usurped by the masses already (as happens with just about anything cool - look at Dr. Martens and the whole punk scene, now worn as comfort shoes by middle-aged moms like me!). Fedoras, nerdy glasses, thrift shopping,... you can't get any trendier than that. </p> <p>I also have to wonder if a true hipster would take the time to write out such a self-aggrandizing and just a wee bit pretentious definition. </p> <p>The whole concept of self-definition and who gets to make the call is so fascinating to me. I read in my linguistics class that the upper class in Boston used to drop or pronounce their "R"s to distinguish themselves from the unwashed masses, and as soon as the masses picked up on the affectation, the upper crust would switch back to the other accent.</p> <p>Counter-culture defines itself against the mainstream, so what happens when that counter-culture becomes mainstream consumer goods and anyone can buy it at UO or American Apparel? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376873 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:19:27 +0000 Lori 376873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with MK - in that this discussion is definitely making me giggle, a group of grown women discussing who/what is a hipster, funny stuff. Labels are definitely are not my thing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376866 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:06:03 +0000 MsMary 376866@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This thread is making me giggle. I can't help but think that the more you worry about whether you are a "hipster," the less likely you are to be one, certainly in the very self-congratulatory Urban Dictionary sense of "one who is super cool in every way." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376820 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:35:44 +0000 Kate 376820@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My most basic understanding is that there are two fundamental parts of being a hipster. How you look and how you act. You need both to be a true hipster.</p> <p>If you dress like a hipster but don't act/think like a hipster (ex: wear ironic clothes, but shop at Walmart), you're a wannabe. </p> <p>I think that a lot of people share a lot of the same values and opinions as hipsters, but if they don't look or dress like a hipster people probably won't think they are a hipster. I know many people (of all ages, and including myself) who have the "hipster state of mind" outlined in your post, but don't try to dress like a hipster and would never call themselves hipsters.</p> <p>You don't need to be a hipster to be progressive and socially conscious. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376774 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:51:03 +0000 Anonymous 376774@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting discussion! In my experience people use that word to label others younger and hipper than themselves. </p> <p>I think the definition is a broad description of the culture/lifestyle considered "hip" or "in" right now. There may be a distinction between those that want to express this and those that succeed....but either way it's the dominant style culture, at least where I live. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376674 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:37:36 +0000 greenglove 376674@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it is interesting because the point is more about the philosophy-actual doers and thinkers- not just the fashion. It gets confusing because the fashion is supposedly against all the stores that it market's to- who knows? I do know that some students are more independent and confident in their style than others and they think about it less. Does that make sense?</p> <p>I agree it is rather broad but obviously not enough because the whole group has been named.I also think that wannabes are just fine. They eventually outgrow or change if a style does not truly express who they are. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376664 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 11:24:21 +0000 nancylee 376664@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This has been an interesting discussion. I recently overheard my college-age son and his friends joking and talking about the difference between hipsters and wannabes. Apparently, this is a serious distinction.</p> <p>But....if someone is truly a hipster, wouldn't they want to avoid any type of label like "hipster?" </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376657 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 10:33:12 +0000 rosee 376657@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The problem with the Urban dictionary is that anyone can post anything on it, and others accept this as a standard definition. Want Proof? Look up your first name and see if they really describe you -- a lot of bitter dumpees seem to post vile hatred of their exes.</p> <p>I agree with Rae and Diana that the term actually can be derogatory, describing more the posers than the genuine people. And I agree with Angie that we should just leave people be. Before the term was "alternative", but my very artist friend from high school would say "Alternative to what -- we all seem to be doing the same thing!"</p> <p>I would have fit into the category definition in my 20s and 30s, but it's really broad. I really disagree with the assessment that UO and AA are typical for that culture. Both stores are mass-produced stuff. AA has some good social conscious ideals but one of my friends, who would be a hipster by that definition, calls their advertising "kiddie porn" (I too don't think it's that tasteful). To me, it sounds like the author of that post was trying to justify his /her "coolness" factor, Being authentic, whether you fit that definition or not is truly cool.</p> <p>Elizabeth, I haven't seen your style but I have gained some insight through your posts. You need not worry if you are a hipster, you have a lot more going for you than that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376652 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 08:59:58 +0000 modgrl 376652@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We don't know very much about you to be able to judge whether you fall into this category. We don't know how you dress or anything about your lifestyle. Many people would qualify under this broad description. I think an interest in nonmainstream art, music, and culture and dressing in skinny jeans doesn't necessarily make you a hipster. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376621 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 05:00:03 +0000 Angie 376621@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with, Steph. This is a very broad definition of the sub culture. I never thought that there was anything derogatory about the sub culture - but I recently learned that too. I don't know how it all got so complicated! Leave the hipsters and the hipster wannabes alone. Let them express themselves in peace - fake or not :)</p> <p>Elisabeth, I have no idea whether you dress like a hipster! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376619 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 04:46:03 +0000 Diana 376619@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Rae... I generally hear the term "hipster" these days used in a somewhat derogatory fashion - basically, to mean someone who is trying too hard to be alternative/countercultural/ironic. A good example is when people started wearing fake nerd glasses. Of course there are definitely people who really do fall into the true hipster mold like you (Elisabeth) and Jean describe - in some ways I fall into this category, although I do not wear flannel shirts and Converse and my nerdy glasses are real and very necessary. I guess what I am trying to say is that authentic hipster-ness is more about a mentality rather than a style- just because you wear glasses and Cons doesn't mean you're alternative... Unfortunately popular culture seems to be associating the term "hipster" with the fakes that Jean describes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376607 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 04:14:44 +0000 rae 376607@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've also heard and used "hipster" more and more as a derogatory term used to describe a sort of dilution or bastardization of the truly "hip." Inauthentic, as others mentioned above. In my circles, a hipster dresses in ill-fitting vintage clothes in such a particular, highly stylized way just for the sake of proving how alternative/creative/cool they are - whereas a truly alt/creative/cool person usually has nothing to prove to anyone. Usually you can tell right away that they are not very creative or original simply by the fact that they travel in packs of people dressed exactly like them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376606 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 04:11:12 +0000 Aziraphale 376606@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Steph: yeah. I see your point. Urban Outfitters has some cute things, but it seems pretty mainstream to me. Unless "hipster" is no longer counter-culture, but more just a growing subculture. I can't say I'm strongly counter-culture on every issue. I lean way left, and I get annoyed at anti-vaxers and anti-abortionists and anti-gay rights people, but other than that, I'm mainstream. I think. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376599 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 03:48:24 +0000 Steph 376599@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think that the definition is good, but it is also pretty broad. If you're just looking at the whole progressive politics/indie rock/creative/witty thing, that can describe a LOT of people--most people who are liberal in politics and have an appreciation for art or music could fall into that category. I think that the fashion aspect is an important part of being a hipster. I actually take issue with the description of hipster style being exemplified by American Apparel and Urban Outfitters. If a hipster is truly someone who is anti-mainstream, shopping at AA and UO seems to defeat the purpose. When I was in high school and college I was very much about being "authentic" and I remember being so bothered when I saw my first Urban Outfitters, marketing to the mainstream teen/young adult and selling clothing that looked like it came from a thrift store at Gap prices. It just seemed so incredibly inauthentic to me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376544 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 01:11:27 +0000 Aziraphale 376544@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Greenglove: geez, I never thought about the wannabes! ;-)</p> <p>I never thought I was a hipster, and now that I've read the actual definition and had confirmation from an art teacher, no less, I think maybe I am -- except if I wasn't even clear enough on the term to know that I might be one, then am I not simply a doofus? Hipster doofus, that's probably about right. :-)</p> <p>Marley: thanks for the input. I too wear old converse and skinnies, and I do art, and I value honesty/forthrightness and avoid anything fake. I can't imagine ever having the urge to shave any part of my head, though. :-)</p> <p>Aida: that's the thing. Is it possible to call yourself a hipster and actually *be* a hipster? I read through that definition, nodding at Every. Single. Point. To wit: ...men and women typically in their 20's and 30's that value independent thinking, counter-culture, progressive politics, an appreciation of art and indie-rock, creativity, intelligence, and witty banter. Yes, yes and yes to all those things. Plus I hold a degree in science and have a career in art. I value critical thinking and creative solutions, and try to teach that to my kids to do the right thing because it's morally right, and not simply because a figure of authority has said so. Yet I had never considered myself a hipster -- the thought had literally never entered my head. (Am I not too old, for one thing? Can you be a hipster and have kids?). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376514 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:23:31 +0000 Aida 376514@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is an interesting subculture. By that (really broad) definition I probably fall into this group, though I wouldn't consider the way I dress hipster (maybe a little but I think it's hard to tag onesself as "hipster", amusing irony?). I was more like this in terms of dress when I was younger, though I just consider myself punk </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376504 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:05:55 +0000 Marley 376504@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One of my dear friends is a hipster - soooo unbelieveably smart - shaves one side of her head - wears old converse tennies and skinnie jeans - a gifted artist - and she calls me on everything that she thinks I say, do, or act - that is FAKE. I love her! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376493 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:55:11 +0000 greenglove 376493@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yup,<br /> You got it right. I teach in an art school and this term was the topic of a lengthy discussion among students one day. About one third of the class fell into this category. Others were hipster wannabes but real hipsters can detect the fakes. It is an interesting subculture and they are usually great students. Many students dress in a way that seems "hipster" but the intellectual curiosity is not there. </p> <p>My stepson is a very authentic actor "hipster". </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-am-i-a-hipster#post-376478 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:14:54 +0000 Aziraphale 376478@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been familiar with the term "hipster" for ages, and had a vague idea in my head of what it meant. I assumed it was just a fashion/style thing -- you know, a "look". It involved a sort of effortlessly hip look with skinny jeans, converse, horn-rimmed nerd glasses and collared grandpa shirts, and mostly applied to guys. Anyway, today I looked it up in the urban dictionary, and it pretty much describes ME. Would you agree that this is what a hipster is? (Sorry, it's a long definition). I welcome everybody's opinion, btw.</p> <p>"Hipsters are a subculture of men and women typically in their 20's and 30's that value independent thinking, counter-culture, progressive politics, an appreciation of art and indie-rock, creativity, intelligence, and witty banter. Although "hipsterism" is really a state of mind,it is also often intertwined with distinct fashion sensibilities. Hipsters reject the culturally-ignorant attitudes of mainstream consumers, and are often be seen wearing vintage and thrift store inspired fashions, tight-fitting jeans, old-school sneakers, and sometimes thick rimmed glasses. Both hipster men and women sport similar androgynous hair styles that include combinations of messy shag cuts and asymmetric side-swept bangs. Such styles are often associated with the work of creative stylists at urban salons, and are usually too "edgy" for the culturally-sheltered mainstream consumer. The "effortless cool" urban bohemian look of a hipster is exemplified in Urban Outfitters and American Apparel ads which cater towards the hipster demographic. Despite misconceptions based on their aesthetic tastes, hipsters tend to be well educated and often have liberal arts degrees, or degrees in maths and sciences, which also require certain creative analytical thinking abilities. Consequently many hipsters tend to have jobs in the music, art, and fashion industries. It is a myth that most hipsters are unemployed and live off of their parent's trust funds.<br /> Hipsters shun mainstream societal conventions that apply to dating preferences and traditional "rules" of physical attraction. It is part of the hipster central dogma not to be influenced by mainsream advertising and media, which tends to only promote ethnocentric ideals of beauty. The concepts of androgyny and feminism have influenced hipster culture, where hipster men are often as thin as the women they date. The muscular and athletic all-American male ideal is not seen as attractive by confident and culturally-empowered hipster women who instead view them as symbols of male oppression, sexism, and misogyny. Likewise, culturally-vapid sorority-type girls with fake blond hair, overly tanned skin, and "Britney Spears tube-tops" are not seen as attractive by cultured hipster males who instead see them as symbols of female insecurity, low self-esteem, and lack of cultural intelligence and independent thinking. Hipsters are also very racially open-minded, and the greatest number of interracial couples in any urban environment are typically found within the hipster subculture. " </p>