Be a Hippie for Halloween

When it's time to think about a Halloween costume and you hit a blank wall, consider Woodstock, 1969. This year is the 40th anniversary of Woodstock and everyone wants to be a hippie and you can be one, too. Yes, you too can be a hippie, if only for a day. Far out.

Head to the basement or attic, wherever you keep those old threads that you can't bear to throw away, or to a secondhand shop or your teenager's closet. The thing about hippie fashion, Halloween or any time, is that there are no rules. Style is whatever you want it to be, but no logos on shirts, please. And no synthetic stuff. Natural fabrics, like cotton, wool, silk, or hemp. Bright colors are good and even better if it's tie dyed. On the other hand, earth colors are groovy, brown, green, and gold. Patterns can be patchwork, paisley, tie dye, African, Middle Eastern, batik, denim, or any combination, whether they match or not. Do your own thing.

Pants should be hip huggers and bell bottom, or as they're called today, low rise and flare leg. The bigger the bell, the better. Don't worry about the rips or holes. They belong there. And raggedy hems are cool.

Tops should be loose fitting, unless it's a Nehru jacket or halter top. Crocheted halter tops in bright rainbow colors are the coolest! Crinkle fabric and peasant tops were big with hippie chicks but colorful dashikis, caftans, and tie dyed t-shirts can be worn by either sex. See, dudes, you don't have to be a plain Jane.

Loose and baggy peasant dresses, the opposite of society's idea of style, were popular with hippie mamas. Soft ankle length broomstick skirts were another favorite. Under garments are optional for the true hippie chick. Well, I guess guys can be free and breezy, too.

Footwear is a wide open choice. Sandals, boots...fancy or military type, moccasins... low or high lace up boots, Birkenstocks, or bare feet are all acceptable hippie footwear. Socks are unnecessary.

Top hats, slouch hats, crocheted pull on hats, and furry things are okay but caps with a bill are kind of freaky, so they're a no. Decorate your hat with beads or buttons that say "Make Love Not War" and "Hell No We Won't Go" and "Peace Now".

Hey, it's your thing but there are a few essentials if you really want to make a hippie fashion statement:
* Fringe on vests, jackets, shirts, halter tops, or jeans.
* Headband or bandanna for holding long hair off of the face. Forget today's fashion headbands. You want leather, beads, hemp, bright fabric, or a ring of flowers.
* Love beads, preferably hand made. Wear several strands.
* Bracelets... bangle, braided hemp, beads, hemp and beads, silver with a peace symbol or dancing bear, leather, natural stones, or wood.
* Granny glasses. Think John Lennon
.* Yin-yang symbols, often pendants on a cord, worn around the neck.
* Ankle bracelets or ankle bells for the chicks.
* The mandatory hippie perfume, patchouli oil.
* Wear a peace sign on everything.

Be creative. I saw the following Halloween costume put together in a matter of minutes: A long broomstick skirt, tie dyed t-shirt, wool socks almost to the knee, leather hiking boots, a crocheted beanie pulled on to hold down the very long hair, and several strands of beads. Far out, dude. My son looked righteous. Be your own happening this Halloween!

Sources:http://www.hippy.com/php/index2.php
http://www.hipplanet.com/books/atoz/atoz.htm
http://www.fiftiesweb.com/fashion/hippie-clothes.htm
http://www.hippieshop.com/