In the ‘90s, the popular clothing trend was to wear graphic tee shirts with ripped jeans to fully bring together a grunge attitude of “who cares,” or way back in the ‘80s the accepted attire was eye popping bright clothes.
With every generation comes new fashion styles that encapsulate a specific time period and in this modern world we surround ourselves with all sorts of fashion statements. In the past couple of years, one fashion scene has taken off like Usain Bolt and sped into popular culture, this new style is the hipster way of dressing.
Although there is no clear definition of what hipster fashion is, Katie Stutheit a Lethbridge College fashion design student explained how in her eyes hipsters wear clothes that are seen as more retro.
“I think it’s more of a grandpa style, kind of like thrift shopping. Their clothes are more baggy and loose,” said Stutheit.
With successful local stores in Lethbridge like Gentleman Three tapping into the hipster and alternative markets, it is hard to deny the popularity of the hipster culture. Gentleman Three is a local luxury clothing store and has been serving Lethbridge for over 45 years, the store has seen all sorts of fashion phases pass by. Storeowner Jeremy Duchan explained how in his opinion, the most prominent part of the hipster style subculture comes down to denim.
“The word hipster often coincides with denim, so in terms of denim it could be a true salvage work denim. As we saw salvage jeans grow in popularity, it really was that trend back towards classic hardy workwear that has now become that hipster motif,” said Duchan.
Oddly enough there is a more to the hipster style then just the clothes they wear. The fashion trend seems to be helping local businesses produce revenue as well. Duchan explained how the current fashion trend has allowed his store to go back to what made Gentleman Three successful in the first place.
“The gentlemen who come in here who might have that kind of hipster vibe to them aren’t necessarily afraid of colour. It’s been great for us because it has allowed us to go back our roots to what made us successful, which is having different product, a little bit of colour and a certain uniqueness to it.”
Whether the popular group of the time is hipsters or punk rockers, Glenn Secretan a Lethbridge College Liberal Arts instructor explained how there are more to these groups then how they dress, it can be a personal statement as well.
“We are talking about social groups and everyone looks for a place where they can get along. It’s no different in a college than it is in any other social setting. Everyone cares a great deal about what people think of them. If an appearance is considered outrageous whether it be tattoos or piercings or hairstyle or anything else, that’s all part of a look at me thing,” said Secretan.
Although future fashion trends are unknown, if the past teaches us anything, we can conclude that we are in for an interesting couple of years in regards to style.
