The Advantages of Being a Hippie

When you hear the word hippie, chances are you think of the 1960’s, tie dye, long free flowing hair styles, no makeup and perhaps the Grateful Dead or Credence Clearwater Revival. You may even think of the “natural” clothing made of hemp, cotton or other natural fibers. The dictionary defines hippie as “one who doesn’t conform to society’s standards…”. In this day and age with prices so inflated and wages so deflated, I have found many benefits to remaining a hippie.

I was raised in the 1960’s and 1970’s. I remember when gas prices were barely 25 cents per gallon. I remember going to the grocery store and buying 6 bags of groceries and paying less than $10 per bag of groceries. As the saying goes, “Less is more”, I have concluded that this is definitely the way to go. Its no longer about whether or not you have an incense burner, tie dyed clothing or a bean bag chair. Its not the music you listen to, nor is it the car you drive, its a lifestyle of simplicity.

Simplicity is making do with what you have. Simplicity is learning to do without (if you had relatives that lived through the depression ask them how it was).

Thus I have concluded the following: Clothing goes in and out of style so quickly that it won’t matter next week if you bought what was in style this week. Thus it is much simpler and less expensive to simply buy the basics and keep them year round. That tee shirt you have that goes so great with your jeans will look just as great with a long sleeved tee shirt under it in the winter to keep you warmer. Not to mention those jeans. Why pay $60 or more for those trendy jeans when the basic styles are just fine and always in style? Those tie dye shirts of yesteryear? Hang on to them, when they rotate styles you won’t have to go out and buy new ones to be in style, just dig into your closet and pull them out.

Long skirts are always in style. If you choose a “bohemian” style and pair it with a classic top or tee shirt you will always be in style. Your own style or the current trendy style. It isn’t really important to wear that trendy suit to church every Sunday or to work each weekday, set your own style. Easy and free flowing.