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Fashion

         Hippies were the natural outgrowth of the Beat movement in the 1950s. Interested in an alternative lifestyle and rebelling against a society grown increasingly conformist and repressive, they were focused on freedom and getting back to nature. Their clothing was often loose and made of natural fibers like cotton and hemp. Men and women grew their hair long and eschewed products and fussy styling (although, contrary to popular belief, they did still shampoo). The black turtlenecks and trousers worn by the Beatniks, male and female, morphed into peasant blouses and jeans. Anything handmade, whether sewn, knit or woven as macramé, was prized. Gradually, this extended towards dyeing one's own clothes and the colorful tie-dye style became popular.

     Simple was key to 1960s hippie fashion. Women's jewelry was mostly handmade or derived from Native American or similar designs influenced by nature. Beads were hugely popular, as was any necklace sporting a peace sign. Music being so much a part of the hippie scene, jewelry that made music was desirable. Some women wore necklaces that featured bells as pendants, and many wore jangly ankle bracelets. The ankles received a lot of attention in general, because many hippies, especially those living on the warm west coast, preferred to go barefoot. This was not a popular time for pedicures.

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