Did you know that the term "hipster" is older than it sounds?

Although it gained fame a few decades ago because of the large number of fans it has received, the word originated in the 1940s in the United States.

Since then it has undergone a series of transformations, but has never been completely forgotten.

Today it is used to refer to people who break away from society's standards: their clothes, their tastes, their thoughts: hipsters show that they are different from everything that is fashionable in different ways.

But what is the purpose of this differentiation? How has this term changed over the years? How do we identify today's hipsters? What influences these people? That's what you will find out in this article. Read on!

Origin of the word Hipster

Much more than a style: a way of living.

It may seem silly to want to differentiate oneself from what is popular in society, but in fact the origin of the term hipster shows that this goes much deeper than it seems, and is a true form of resistance.

This is because the term appeared in the 1940s, in a movement that sought to fight against some very prejudiced rules of the time: young white jazz fans started going to black clubs, something scandalous for the period.

Thus they became the world's first official hipsters, being considered rebels who were out of step with the norms of the time. But despite being against what the mainstream industry molded for them, their goal was not exactly to protest - just to live the way they found most interesting.

The term, which comes from the English words "hip" and "ster", indicating belonging, foresaw something that no one in the 1940s could have imagined: being a hipster would eventually become something interesting, something that generates a positive buzz. But, of course: in a differentiated, unique, and original way.

Influences for the style

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The hipster style has a number of influences. As time has gone by, people's actions have changed - but their definitions have remained the same.

In the 1990s, for example, when the word "hipster" began to gain more traction around the world, this nomenclature came to define people who were more underground, who escaped from the mainstream art scene and found refuge and more identification in alternative music and independent movie theaters.

In this scenario, punk, beat, hippie, and grunge styles, which were at odds with this mass culture, started to gain more strength.

Unlike what happened in the 1940s, right? So you can see how people's mindsets change and certain concepts end up going through transformations too!

Then, in the 2000s, the nomenclature began to refer to young people who looked to the past with interest, combining current clothes with vintage ones.

In general, hipsters have different influences. The personal taste of each individual shapes the way this style will manifest itself in each person. The important thing is to feel good and express your opinions.

Hipster stereotype

This is because, even if unintentionally, breaking out of the mainstream leads people into similar underground paths.

Here are just a few common characteristics of those who have adopted this way of living:

1. Visual

   The hipster style is all about sustainable clothing, that is, reusable pieces with a vintage and retro look, from ripped pants to worn-out shoes and lumberjack-style blouses. To complete the look, big beards and long hair are also part of the look, since they are out of step with what society considers appropriate.

2. Leisure

   Hipsters, as we saw earlier, like to consume more underground products. In leisure, this means enjoying old or unknown music, more cult, independent and low-budget films. They appreciate those works that usually go unnoticed by the general public, despising blockbusters and very mainstream artists, who make their art to please the masses and not forlove.

3. Lifestyle

   In their day to day life, the hipster style seeks to be more sustainable. Food, for example, usually tends towards vegetarianism or veganism in protest to big industries and animal abuse. Regarding transportation, they prefer bicycles or buses if they cannot walk. They also stick to recycled products and local establishments, again appreciating what is, in fact, what is,artistic and handmade.

Did you see how the hipster style goes far beyond clothing? One could even say that this is a political movement, which aims to take the focus off what is mainstream, but often has no real meaning or benefit. So, are you going to join the movement?