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How to Make a Hippie Costume Without Jeans

In the 1960s and 1970s, hippie fashion emerged, characterized by an eclectic, devil-may-care style. This style calls to mind an exotic, free attitude. While denim and blue jeans are popular components of the hippie look, they are by no means the exclusive elements. A hippie costume can be easily created with some flowing garments, a few peace signs, and a leather headband. There are many appropriate substitutes available for jeans, which are usually the go-to bottoms in a hippie costume.

Things You'll Need

  • Flowing top
  • Bright pants or flowing skirt flowing dress
  • Leather head band
  • Belt
  • Sandals or platform heel shoes
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a flowing dress for a woman, or a caftan-style robe for a man, for a one-piece hippie costume without jeans. In styling, look for clothing with exotic influences, from India to Africa to the Middle East. Look for vibrant styles in bright colors, like African prints. Also common in hippie style is peasant-inspired garb, particularly for women, with lace-up bodices, eyelets, and bell or flood sleeve styles. The fabric of these pieces should be organic, like cotton or linen, often emphasizing an unfinished feeling, like unhemmed edges. Garments should be flowing, never tight or snug.

    • 2

      Choose a top-and-bottom attire pair. Look beyond jeans to denim ultra-mini skirts or flowing peasant skirts for women, and easy linen or brightly colored cotton pants for men. Top with a peasant-style shirt or a spaghetti strap or halter top for women. To emphasize the hippie "free love" code, don a crocheted bikini top or another skimpy top in organic material. For men, tops should be equally flowing, like a simple cotton or linen shift.

    • 3

      Add accessories. The favorite hippie symbol -- the peace sign -- can be worn in the form of a necklace, bracelet or emblazoned on a T-shirt peeking out from under a flowing robe or vest. A fringed leather or knitted vest makes a great addition to any hippie costume. Flat sandals with a simple leather thong are an easy form of footwear, as are perilously high platform shoes. Women can wear a single flower in their hair, or a chain of flowers as a tiara. Men and women alike can wear a simple, American Indian-inspired leather headband. Hair should be loose, free, and a little bit wild.

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