Underground to Mainstream?

All things come to the surface. This is seen evidenced in the rise of higher end contemporary wear from streetwear, which first originated from the lower middle class of urban settings. So I have to ask the question, “What will happen to the hipster?” Maybe he or she will become popular and detest it. If this underground scene loses its independence, then pop culture will just eat it alive. Thus, all things underground and original will be overrated and mass marketed. Just as luxury brands are becoming de-luxed (no longer luxurious at all), and MySpace is becoming everyone’s space, the hipster will travel the same road and inevitably merge into the conglomerate media. However, mass hipsteria will never end. A newer, hotter, hipper underground subculture will form, and it will be more elitist than ever. Unless we’ve accepted mass hipsteria in our lives, then we can’t be a part of it. We’re out!

Ecocentric & Eclectic Agyness

The striking eclectiqueen Burberry and Armani model is majorly hip, yet versatile. She can go from prepster to hipsister to high end luxe chick. Deyn puts light on this indie subculture that I call “mass hipsteria”. One minute, she’s sporting fedoras and the next she’s baring her platinum blonde hair to the masses. Agyness Deyn truly epitomizes fun and corky.

She’s going ecofriendly as she pedaled her way to the catwalk during New Work and Paris fashion weeks. This eco movement is biking around America too, and San Francisco knows eco best. We’re the green city and Agyness is more than welcome to make green the new black in the heart of the bay.
Anchoring it back to the hip frenzy, pedaling across town seems like a positively hip thing to do instead of driving alone inside metal boxes with wheels. If being “too cool”, drinking PBR, and shopping simply for image are stigmas of hipster subculture, then let’s bike. Being outside in the fresh air isn’t a stuffy idea. Accessorizing the two-wheelers is in!

Hipster Style & London Fashion

There is a striking contrast in being a Parisian hipster. I’m sure one may exist within the underground subculture of Paris, but who cares? Hipsteria’s subtle mimicry of British punk is more believable. If London Bridge was to fall again, it would be due to mass hipsteria!

The anti-fashion style of hipsters is faintly similar to Britain’s anti establishment aesthetic; just watered down with lighter amounts of alcohol. The hip cardigan, stemming from Earl of Cardigan, is an apparel memoir to England’s Commander. As we can see, even history connects the hipster look back to its English roots. Let’s observe some more.

I’m currently reading the Feb. issue of Nylon and I’m slowly gaining exposure to the new rave appeal of London. Famous for owning the “mod” look in the 60’s and defying mainstream culture with the punk movement in the 80’s, British youth has cultivated “the current more dubious wave of new ravers (pg. 72)”. Acid colors and bright hair does the trick. But that’s just the surface. Where there’s a deeper layer, there is inspiration for hipsters.

Fedora The Explorer

Fedora the explorer! No, it’s not Dora. I’m referring to the classic fedora hat that has been trend spotted in the past seasons. It has now reached its plateau. I know it’s going to be one sunny, acid yellow spring, but make way for wool on our heads this season. No sunscreen? No worries! Just top your head with one of these. It completes the list of “Hipster Must Haves”. Bewear, however, the fedora’s sleek sophistication is perfected with casual apparel. Let’s not look too theatrical.

Hipster Must Haves...

The San Fran hipster rides in chrome around his urban territory. It’s not a real messenger bag if it doesn’t have the Chrome logo on the flap. I see these bags fly right pass me all the time around Market St, and I know right away that a hipster just rode off before I could check him out (his clothes that is)! He probably had all these hip must haves. Check out each item. If you’re missing any of these, then you're not riding in Chrome. You might as well just "Shut Up & Drive"!


This is for the eco hip. I kinda care about the Earth, so I should rock it!

Levi's skinny jeans are key. It's like signifying San Francisco when we wear it in the bay. It's either these or Cheap Mondays from Urban Outfitters, but why spend $20 more?

Plaid Westerner shirts are never played out. It's more recognizable than a simple white tee. Patterns and prints always upgrade men's shirts, unless you're trying to achieve the blank palette look before a model casting. Are you a model?

Cardigans on breezy days are like iced teas on hot ones. It's great for achieving layers while preventing the onion effect. It's 2008 and retro just came through the back door. Just make sure the cardigan you want to sport isn't grandpa's.

It hit us by surprise last year. The shemagh, an original Palestinian scarf traveled across the seas to drape our necks! How fabulous. It's a great replacement for the traditional scarf. Those are meant for choking haters and anti-hipsters. The Shemaghs are for looking cuter. Sport one or your out!

Hipsters "Haight" Labels

Haight & Ashbury, the hippie nation of San Francisco in the
60's and 70's, is now the hipster homeland of the 21th century. I went up and down the street, in and out of the clothing stores, and took pictures of random people around me. Some were hipstersocciates organizing the sales racks, and others were window shoppers like myself. Too bad I wasn't really focusing on the merchandise as much I was studying these walking mannequins. Well, here are more visuals of "Mass Hipsteria". The Haight District has a plethora of consignment stores such as Wasteland and Goodwill. They are very hipster savvy. After all, you can’t be hip if you don’t do thrift. So if UO (Urban Outfitters) and American Apparel is more than however much your wallet can handle, then I suggest exploring Wasteland and Crossroads around town. They’re both trendy consignment stores that resell recycled clothing. These shops are fashion forward (I found a fitted Dolce and Gabbana dress shirt for under $30)! But if you’re looking for hip style, then stick to plaid button ups and v-neck under shirts. You can find all the ultra cool apparel and accessories here to meet your hipster needs at a lower price.

Hip Retail

Let’s learn more about hipster style. Go to Urban Outfitters on Powell street and you'll discover relaxed hipster. It's slightly edgy, however, it's appealing to a wider audience of the street and contemporary scene. This retail store still hits the hipster's "Top 10 Places to Bike to & Shop"!




If you want to encounter hipster’s witnesses, then I suggest you visit American Apparel on Union St. They’re hipsters to the max with their tight jeans, bright spandex, ribbed cardigans, and hippie/jogger headbands. Maybe we haven't really seen anything yet until American Apparel opens on the Mission this season. After all, Mission St. harbors mass producing hipster factories. But what do I know, I'm just Moe. =)