Ethos and characteristics
Hippies sought to free themselves from societal restrictions, choose their own way and find new meaning in life.
One expression of hippie independence from societal norms was their unusual standard of dress and grooming. This made hippies instantly recognizable to one another and served as a visual symbol of their respect for individual rights and their willingness to question authority.
Hippie women tended to wear little or no conventional makeup, preferring a more natural look; when makeup was worn it was generally for dramatic effect. Hippies favored long hair for both genders and more facial hair for men than was common at the time. Many white people associated with the American Civil Rights Movement and the 1960s counterculture, especially those with curly or "nappy" hair, wore their hair in afros in earnest imitation of African-Americans. "Long-hair" became a pejorative term among those who disliked hippies.
Hippies often wore brightly colored clothing; unusual styles, such as bell-bottom pants, vests, tie-dyed garments, dashikis, peasant blouses, long, full skirts; and non-Western inspired clothing with Native American, African and Latin American motifs. Much of hippie clothing was self-made in protest of Western consumer culture and because of their lack of purchasing power given the ideal of a cashless society. Hippies often purchased their clothes from flea markets and second-hand shops, as recycling was an integral part of the culture. Favored accessories included Native American jewelry, head scarves, headbands, long beaded necklaces (for both men and women), cowboy boots and sandals.
Travel was a prominent feature of hippie culture, both travel within one's country of origin and international travel. Hippie culture was communal, and travel became an extension of friendship. Schoolbuses similar to Ken Kesey's Furthur, or the iconic VW bus, were popular because groups of friends could travel on the cheap.
VW Van
The VW Bus became known as a counterculture/hippie symbol, and many buses were repainted with graphics and/or custom paint jobs—these were predecessors to the modern-day art car. A peace symbol often replaced the Volkswagen logo.
Many hippies favored hitchhiking as a primary mode of transport because it was economical, environmentally friendly, and a way to meet new people.