What is a hipster? Meaning, examples and characteristics simply explained

You’ve probably heard this word before: hipster. But what is it actually? In this article we will answer this question and list a few examples and characteristics of hipsters.

This is a hipster

The Duden defines a hipster as someone who knows about everything that is fashionable.

• The word hipster goes back to the beginning of 1960 and refers to followers of a jazz movement who were primarily concerned with gaining distance from the stuffiness and representing their own ideals. It was also important for them to claim the concept of coolness for themselves.
• In addition to being fashion conscious, hipsters are very interested in politics and current affairs. They deal with many philosophical questions.
• Hipsters are particularly concerned with ethics, which is why you will often find vegetarians or vegans among them.
• Hipsters reject mass consumption and generally tend to wear vintage clothes, which they either get second-hand from friends or from a second-hand shop or flea markets. They also like to wear clothes by designers that nobody knows yet. Then, as soon as these become famous and are sold in mass production, hipsters look for the next trend to avoid being steered towards mass consumption.
• Most of the time, hipsters listen to more unknown music, such as from indie bands. As soon as they become more famous, hipsters do the same with them as they do with designer clothes: they look for the next trend.

Features of a hipster

• One thing that almost all hipsters have in common is a fancy style of dress. Everything that was in about 30-40 years ago, you can also see on hipsters: Tight jeans, colourful sneakers and, for example, glasses with a thick frame, reminiscent of the horn-rimmed glasses of 1970.

• Many hipsters carry a jute bag with a political inscription. These can be used not only as a university bag but also as a shopping bag. Since a jute bag lasts a long time and you don’t have to buy plastic bags when shopping with it, less plastic waste is produced.

• Flannel shirts are also very popular.

• Men often wear what is called a man-bun. This is basically a bun, but for men.

• Generally, hipsters don’t want to be restricted by a fashion or beauty ideal. So it can also happen that men look quite feminine.
• In our picture gallery you will find some examples of typical hipster items and clothing.