19.6.13

On Hippies, Free People, and Not-So-Free People



I was listening to The Doors like, a lot this weekend. Can you tell? Ya know...sometimes you just gotta dress like a hippie. And a sunny Sunday at the beach is really just the perfect excuse. 

The hippie culture is such a novelty nowadays, isn’t it? Long (salon highlighted) hair, don’t care? You’re a hippie! Sportin’ a plastic flower crown? You’re a hippie, too! But the pinnacle of hippie commercialization has got to be Free People. Suddenly being a “hippie” isn’t a social/political/cultural movement concerned with materialism, commercialization, etc; it just means you’re a Free People customer. 

Ok ok, full disclosure: Free People has got some cute ass clothes. Like, if they appeared in my closet right now I would totes wear them. In fact, a couple months ago, I splurged (JK, my Grandma bought them for me) on some polka dot skinny jeans from Free People...only to put them on this morning, attempt to hike them up by the belt loops, and have these pants completely torn to shreds. They are officially unwearable. I’m like bitch, you don’t see that happening with my $4, 30-year old Levi’s! Okay so you actually DO see that happening...but THAT shredding is artfully done, and in like, totally strategic locations! Anyways...so to add salt to the wound, after I threw my torn pants to the ground in a fit of rage, I glanced down to see “MADE IN CHINA” tag glaring back at me. Turns out the hippie ideal of ‘free people’ isn’t actually important to Free People...


PS- I’m reading “No Logo” so I’m a little fired up about these things... ;) Although mostly I'm just pissed about my polka dot pants.


Vintage skirt. Target basic tee. F21 hat. No brand flip flops. F21 bracelet.

Until next time,

Brittany

10 comments:

  1. I try to stay away from fast fashion for that same reason. Cute outfit!

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  2. Pile sale find! It's beeeeautiful!
    And yeah, Free People's catalogs and look books are inspiring, but the quality of their clothes is shite.
    xo
    ashley
    www.thephotogramps.blogspot.com

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  3. How do you always say exactly what I'm thinking? Stuff from many big box stores never lasts and is terrible for the environment. While the polka dot jeans DO sound really cute, this outfit is awesome.

    Lora
    hungryheartvintage.com

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  4. Great post and your hilarious definition of modern hippy culture. That said, you look adorable in your bohemian skirt and hat :)
    xo Mary Jo

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  5. i don't know much about brands, so, in fact, i've never heard of free people, but i will tell you your skirt is amazing and ppl do throw the word hippy around a lot these days for sure. xox

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  6. I've heard so much about Free People and it sucks that I live in Australia because we don't have the same stores you do :(
    http://saltskinned.blogspot.com.au

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  7. You look so lovely my dear! love that top xx

    http://fashionvitae.blogspot.com/

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  8. The clothing business is like any other, people don't always do they right thing. And of course being a hippy is more than wearing retro clothes. you should have send the pants back! Love the skirt!
    Simona
    www.lakenmoon.com

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  9. Free People quality is horrible, especially for the price! You're really just paying for the design, but seriously, you'd think they could supply clothes that hold together a bit longer.

    http://lasaloperie.blogspot.com

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