Oct 27

Pabst Blue Ribbon, an American Apparel deep-V-tee, an abundant vinyl collection, an apartment in BK (Brooklyn...not to be confused with Burger King), and a favorite vegan restaurant are all the essential items you will need to become today's titled "hipster." The term has almost become derogatory, as any person who fits the profile will swear they are not. The Onion, an American news satire organization, echoes this in an article titled "Two Hipsters Angrily Call Each Other 'Hipster'".

 

The contemporary hipster began to evolve in the Lower East Side and Williamsburg of New York, Capitol Hill in Seattle, Silver Lake in LA and the Inner Mission in San Francisco. Somewhere in between the 90's and today, a very particular taste in fashion, art and music have defined the term "hipster".

 

If this lifestyle has become such a large part of mainstream culture, why has the term become so degrading? It may be because the word is categorized as a stereotype rather than an identity. I think originally, this culture flourished from people who were in fact, very individual or unique. Others may have found this appealing, and let's face it...everyone wants to let loose and just be "themselves". Well that perspective amplified and now has become too generic. What began as unconventional has now become very standard. Hipsters have been categorized as people in their 20's and 30's who try to disconnect themselves from mainstream society. Instead, they've transitioned into their own conformist group. As a result, they are now targeted by advertising/marketing and fashion companies are now geared in their direction.

 

Derogatory or not, is it really all that bad? "OMG, that guy likes cool music and shops at Urban Outfitters (one of my favorite stores) - he's definitely a hipster." I can't say I'm not guilty of mushing this recent culture into one category, but we need to remember...everyone has the right to be who they want to be. So to all those hipsters out there, whether you accept it or not, just remember, by definition, you are: "a person who is hip." Like I said, is it really all that bad?