The term "hipster" is cross-applied from the 1930s Beatniks. The modern hipster is a composite of individuals with a certain bohemian life situation and lifestyle. He or she rejects "mainstream" culture and embraces and contributes to independent culture, and prides him/herself on this. The modern hipster image has been proliferated through the internet, publications such as Vice Magazine, and sightings in the music, fashion, and art world. The image of the hipster is constantly changing, but several aspects have stayed constant over time. Lives in a young, artsy neighborhood of a major city such as Wicker Park in Chicago, Greenwich Village in Manhattan, or Williamsburg in Brooklyn. Usually has some degree of monetary conformability, although sometimes only because of their parents, due to cost of living in these areas. Works (or wants to work) in music, art, or fashion. Has "elitist" music taste and listens to nu-rave (i.e. The Klaxons, Cut Copy, Hercules and Love Affair), minimalist techno, independent rap (i.e. Spank Rock, Talib Kweli, Aesop Rock), nerdcore (i.e. YT Cracker, MC Lars, MC Chris), Elephant 6 (i.e. of Montreal, Neutral Milk Hotel, Apples in Stereo), garage rock, and punk rock in addition to all manners of independent rock. Favorite band is very likely Bright Eyes, The Arcade Fire, The Arctic Monkeys, The Libertines, The Strokes, or something of that nature. Also watches independent and foreign films and reads independent books, magazines, and periodicals. Is a fan of modern art and may also be an amateur artist. Dresses in a progressive but retro fashion that is often changing. Popular items include leggings, mini-skirts, leg warmers, '60s dresses, headbands, chunky jewelry, and large shirts and sweaters for girls and skinny suits and ties, tight jeans and cords, t-shirts with ironic sayings and images, cardigans, plaid and buffalo check shirts, colorful hoodies, and tight windbreakers for guys. Both genders frequently wear dirty Vans and Converses, flamboyant Nikes, large plastic frame glasses, and neon wayfarer sunglasses and are sometimes pierced and tattooed. Shops at Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, and thrift stores. Likes to hang out at fashionable coffee shops, indie rock shows, and hipster dance clubs. Does food shopping at stores like Whole Foods and is often vegan or vegetarian. Eats chic ethnic food and prefers organic and Fair Trade fruits and vegetables. Favorite beer is Pabst Blue Ribbon. Takes up many causes and is often socially minded. Enjoys irony in all facets of life, from fashion (wears mismatching outfits and unpopular vintage clothing often emblazoned with ironic sayings) to sports (plays in dodgeball tournaments at McCarren Park Pool). May ride a fixed-gear bicycle or a hybrid car. Networks through Myspace, Facebook, and/or Twitter. Usually rejects the term "hipster" and argues if called one.
by mtfn392 January 28, 2009
One who possesses tastes, social attitudes, and opinions deemed cool by the deck. The Hipster walks among the masses in daily life but is not a part of them and shuns anything held dear by the mainstream. Ideally, a hipster posses body fat in the single digits.
I saw Eli Fuld riding his fixie the other day. How anti-mainstream of him. He's the only hipster in YU.
by Marky mArk 247 December 22, 2010
A hipster is now basically just a caricature of a liberal, urban European student. The hipster lifestyle started in the late 90s/early 00s as reaction to the MTV/TRL/popstar/celebrity worship/fast food consumer culture that peaked in America right before 9/11. Some people were trying to get away from all of that, and instead shopped at thrift stores, started growing their own organic food, read nonmainstream literature, listened to indie music etc, and didn't really fit in with the average joe, and their intentions were at least somewhat authentic in the beginning, unlike most hipsters now. Its origins were mostly on the west coast like grunge was, because that area already has some slight counter-cultural tendencies. Eventually it was picked up and marketed to the youth as an image and a lifestyle so they could be labeled and to get them to buy stuff, just like they did with grunge in the 90s. Today's stereotypical hipster is an exaggerated version of this earlier hipster.
by dEX December 12, 2013
by jconnormccann March 27, 2011
a "hipster": vneck wearing, pot smoking, photography lover, bike riding, skinny jean, weird-ass music listener. they are very easy to find step into stores such as, Forever 21, Urban Outfiters, American Apparel blah blah blah... Hipsters HATE being called "scene kids". When you go into their myspace profile all you see is random retarded photography. They usually have large friend counts too. When they take photos they usually cover their mouths and heavily photoshop the pictures. Hipsters have taken over sites such as myspace, facebook, twitter and the most famous one TUMBLR. They think there cool because they wear ugly shoes and ride fixed gear bikes. Hipsters are like roaches. They can survive anything....even a nuclear bomb. but the most important thing you have to know about a hipster is....THEY ARE F*CKING ANNOYING
Guy 1: dude that scene bitch on myspace "WhoIsKat" is fucking annoying. Guy 2: oh shes no scene shes a "hipster" Guy 1: dude can we just kill her already?!!?!
by crazystevelol August 31, 2010
Women's underwear. Resembling to male's boxer briefs, except "hipsters" cling on to the body more. Hipsters also tend to show off the female's rear end.
by Hanako(: August 21, 2009
Take the purest and simplest of things and transform them into an infernal tangle of complexity in order to call it their own.
I used to understand what beer (pizza, coffee, pâté, tea, pot, hash, a beard, soap etc) was until the Hipsters got their paws on it.
by Lance Larue January 23, 2018