Things are about to get deep around here. Vildy sent me this article on the psychology of style development (click here for pdf). If you are interested in jumping in and reading it, go right ahead. But in the interest of being able to think it through and process it together, I plan on breaking it down into little, tiny, bite-sized chunks to discuss. Starting with this question:
As a teen, how do you (or did you) connect with your own youth subculture?
From about age 10 through one’s early twenties are the seasons of the zeitgeist’s greatest influence. For me, that would be 1974 through the mid-80s. But if those influences remain in my wardrobe, they are so watered down that I don’t really recognize them.
One thing I can say with assurance and I’ve said it all along: I am not a hippie! While I have been mistaken for one more often than I’d like, in my mind I am more of a pink suit.
Oh wait, that totally fits with that era: disassociating with the previous youth culture and identifying with – *gasp* – shades of yuppie.
I’ve been called a yuppie-hippie before. I feel complimented when someone calls me a hippie (I’ve been tagged with “conservative hippie,” too). It’s something in the soul I think, and it resonates within me when someone describes me as such.
Youth subculture? Cool! I’ve never thought about it in those terms. They said I was an enigma and a social butterfly. That sums it up for me!
My English teacher called me “Ash Princess” referring to Cinderella…anyone know what that was about?
Totally off subject…
But, I have a question/proposal for you, Rebecca. I am planning a trip to Paris and wonder if you could come up with wardrobe suggestions for me. Of course, Katie wants to actually walk into the Chanel boutique and though that frightens me, I know we will do just that! Most of our days will be spent museum going/walking/wandering the streets. Any ideas as to what to wear in order to not “stick out” as the “American Tourist” (I don’t mind being a tourist and am certainly proud to be an American, but don’t want to be labelled as a “hick”, if that makes sense). I think most Europeans think of all Americans as wearing jeans and baseball caps.
Susan
Bonnie ~ lol, teachers are so weird!
I feel insulted when someone calls me hippie. I think they’re calling my hair is messy, which it is. Now I also feel like they are calling me old. Hello! There are no 43 year old hippies! You are no doubt young enough that it doesn’t strike you that way.
I’m sure when I was in high school I was something of an enigma and a social butterfly as well. Which also brings up something that I’ve been thinking about: people with similar style personalities but different ages and how that looks.
Susan ~ What fun! That fits in with what’s been on my mind since before I even started the blog: a friend of mine is moving to northern Italy soon, as a missionary. I accept your challenge!
Although I highly doubt that there is any danger of you wandering around the cultural highlights of Paris in a baseball cap. lol
I’m going to print that article and review it properly!
Since I wasn’t even alive to be a part of the *real* hippy culture, I have romanticized it. An old non-friend used to (basically) curse under his breath, “Dirty Hippies,” and I was insulted (and embarrassed) every time. I guess if you don’t romanticize the notion of “hippies,” they do seem to always be dirty. Whenever I go out when I really needed to shower first I think, “It’s ok. I’m really a hippy at heart.” ( I realize this is probably too much information…)
So I do understand how it can be an insult. For some reason I ignore all this and am glad to be known as One Who Loves God’s Beautiful Earth (= Hippy).
bonnie
Pingback: The Space Between My Peers » Are You Too Old to Wear the Trends?