History of Hippie Fashion at Music Festivals

Hippie fashion emerged as a vibrant expression of counterculture movements in the 1960s and 1970s. It was a rejection of mainstream norms and a celebration of peace, individuality, and love. Influenced by various cultural and social factors, including the civil rights movement, anti-war protests, and spirituality, hippie fashion embraced flowing garments, psychedelic prints, and an eclectic mix of ethnic and vintage styles. This sartorial rebellion became synonymous with the era's ethos of free-spiritedness, leaving an indelible mark on fashion history and continuing to inspire modern interpretations of bohemian style.

Every year, the spirit of hippie fashion still takes over iconic music festivals like Burning Man and Coachella, transforming the landscape into a world full of flower crowns, feather headbands, and flowing flared pants. These garments, reminiscent of the days of flower power and free love, continue to live on amongst festival-goers, serving as a testament to the enduring allure of music culture and style. As fashion often cycles through history, it's always interesting to trace the roots of these trends. In celebration of Coachella 2024's first weekend, L'OFFICIEL takes a look at how hippie fashion has traversed the decades, from the hazy days of Woodstock to its modern-day revival. 

In order to understand the hippie fashion trend, one must understand its roots. The psychedelic styles came into popularity during the flower power movement. As the youth of the '60s and '70s protested the Vietnam War, fought for civil rights, and began falling in love with rock'n'roll, new styles that became a marker of their "hippie" status served as a symbol of rebellion from the mainstream. Bright colors, floral detailing, and free-spirited clothes were objects of peaceful protest, as they were all aligned with the "hippie" political agenda. When the four-day Woodstock Music and Art Fair took place in August 1969, hippie fashion flooded the fields in Bethel, New York. Fringe jackets, denim jumpsuits, leather vests, flowers in hair, flowing dresses, and more filled the vast fields, embracing a bohemian aesthetic that symbolized the spirity of unity and nonconformity. The fashion showcased at the iconic Woodstock was not just a reflection of style, but also a visual manifestation of the values championed by the hippie movement, inspiring generations to come with its message of freedom. And, as we now know, these same values continue to manifest itself in the fashion choices spotted at festivals today, of couese, with a fresh, modern spin. 

From the ashes of Woodstock comes Burning Man. Burning Man is a nine-day festival that focuses on art, music, and community, serving as a modern-day manifestation of the hippie ethos. While the festival is known for its wild antics, such as the actual burning of a giant wooden man, people still show out with their best outfits. Rooted in principles of radical self-expression and artistic freedom, Burning Man has become a hub for creative experimentation and boundary-pushing fashion. Participants, known as "Burners," often draw inspiration from the hippie era, incorporating elements such as tie-dye and fringe into their attire.

Since it's held in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada, the attire needs to be beneficial for both warm and cold weather. Women typically wear long flowing dresses, lace tank tops, denim shorts, gladiator sandals, and more garments that are reminiscent of the hippie fashion of the '60s. Men wear baggy pants, cowboy boots, and other pieces. There isn't as much of a fashion focus at Burning Man as there is for other festivals, but the hippie motifs still live on inside the festival. However, it extends beyond mere nostalgia, embracing a fusion of futuristic, tribal, and avant-garde styles that reflect the festival's ethos of individuality and inclusivity. Here, self-expression truly knows no bounds.

At last year's Coachella, however, many attendees came in casual everyday fashion, much to our surprise. A-listers and of-the-moment style icons, including Hailey Bieber, traded their usual boho 'fits for a simple tank and jeans. Similarly, Bieber's besties, Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner, sported a plain shirt and jeans. Of course, it didn't take long for the Internet to react to celebs' sudden departure from their usually elaborate boho chic fashion. Some TikTok users even speculated that this shift was a deliberate attempt to distinguish themselves from those who typically went above and beyond with their style choices at Coachella. Still, given that Coachella's hippie theme had become more mellow over the years, it's no surprise that some attendees would eventually choose to wear something more comfortable as they enjoy the music. Plus, with fashion returning to wearability, it makes sense that extravagance is taking a back seat, at least for now.  

But, for those of us who love Coachella's distinctive boho fashion, we're surely crossing our fingers for a major resurgence. Maybe this year or next? We're certainly staying tuned.