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Posted in music on July 27, 2005

What is a Hipster?

According to Wikipedia...
"A hipster is a person who is strongly associated with a subculture that has been deemed "hip", or "hep". The term was used originally in the 1940s and 1950s to describe aficionados of jazz, and it eventually described many members of the Beat Generation, but its usage declined in the 1960s, with the advent of hippies. Since the mid 1990s, the word "hipster" has been redefined to refer to members of a different subculture. Modern hipsters are those devoted to ironic retro fashions, indie music and film, alternative comics, and other forms of expression outside the mainstream.

More generally, trendsetters in fashion are sometimes called hipsters. though this use is distinct from the hipster subculture, whose fashion sensibilities are specific and not usually destined for the mainstream"

Can you be a hipster if you don't dress in ironic retro fashions? Can you be a hipster if you don't listen to indie music? Do hipsters go to Misshapes or read Pitchfork, or both? Am I a hipster? Help me out.

Related Links
The Non-Expert: Hipster, by Andrew Womack
Hipster Bingo
The Hipster Handbook
The Hipster Generation

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Posted on July 27, 2005 9:07 AM

Comments (14)

hmm is brooklynvegan a hipster?

no hipster wear detected at shows so far, which is what I most strongly connect with the hipster label. BUT you do go to see indie entertainment a lot, no? Oh wouldn't a rose by any other name...

Posted by wes | July 27, 2005 9:49 AM

My dad liked Jazz in the 50s. Can't wait to tell him he's a hipster.

Got him on a technicality.

Posted by Jerry | July 27, 2005 10:55 AM

I think it's safe to say that you are NOT a hipster.

Posted by Mike Neuman | July 27, 2005 11:26 AM

If you have ever based a decision off of anything you read on Pitchfork, you're a hipster. imho.

Posted by Bryan | July 27, 2005 12:14 PM

I don't think you're a hipster per se, but I'd venture to say that many of your readers are solid hipsters. And yeah, you do go to a lot of indie shows, so maybe....

Posted by astralgirl01 | July 27, 2005 1:28 PM

if you care if your a hipster....your probably a hipster

Posted by ryan97ou | July 27, 2005 2:56 PM

C'mon, you're a total hipster. We need to break this down further though. There are cool hipsters and uncool hipsters. If you blindly follow Pitchfork, Vice, use the word "deck," etc. you suck. If you can think for yourself and choose your own adventure then you're doing fine. BV, I put you in with the latter category.

Posted by matt | July 27, 2005 3:18 PM

no, you are an asshole! I hope that clears things up for you! max ):

Posted by max | July 27, 2005 4:31 PM

My friend says that if you say you hate hipsters, you are probably a hipster.

Posted by Pat | July 27, 2005 6:23 PM

Hipsters of the world, unite!
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/50637

Posted by FIGHT THE POWER! | July 22, 2006 3:38 AM

I hate you all. Hipsters and those that think they're cool. And those that talk about them. And people that cause rent to go too high. You suck.

Posted by Shan | April 9, 2008 10:29 PM

After many moons, i have recently left the LES with my family of 4 for the cleaner air of Ridgewood. All i want to add to this discussion is that way back when, the hipsters made us laugh, but nowadays the yuppies make me cry. I missed the hipsters!! At least they are art consumers, whatever medium it may be. I'll take them over the Armani-wearing no-taste cheesters that replaced them. LCD Soundsystem or Daughtry? You tell me.

Posted by Ridgewoody | April 9, 2008 11:25 PM

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