Cat-eye-rimmed glasses, high-waisted denim, a Bohemian printed t-shirt, and anti-mainstream taste. If you know someone that fits this description, you have found yourself a modern day hipster.

   “A hipster is someone who doesn’t follow the ‘mainstream’ way of life… like a transcendentalist or nonconformist,” says Amie Fung (12). In the past couple of years, “hipsters” have taken the limelight in fashion, society, and media. According to popular definitions from sources such as Urbandictionary.com, hipsters are, “a subculture of men and women typically in their 20’s or 30’s that value independent thinking, counter-culture, progressive politics, have an appreciation for art and indie-rock, creativity, intelligence, and witty banter.”

  With fashion, many people of this uprising culture sport thrift shopped goods, minimalist designs, and statement accessories. Hipsters are very well known for their sense of fashion, or as some say, “vintage renewal”. Fung explains that this term has latched onto fashion as a popular adjective. “These days, people including myself consider hipster as a certain way that people dress and act. For example, ‘hipster shorts’ would just be high-waisted shorts.”  Although these clothing items are often associated with this culture, “hipster fashion” is mostly defined as a way of dressing that gives power to individuality rather than surrendering to society’s definition of trendy.

  Other than fashion, hipster culture has made its way to music and politics. “Hipster is a term used to convey many ideas that are outside the norm,” says Victor Cha (12). He further explains that owning a record player, having an obscure hobby, or living by a completely different set of morals would also be an aspect of this culture.

  Many debate that this culture has always existed throughout history, while others debate that our modern society has created it by promoting the importance of self-identity throughout the generations. Cha explains that this community grows larger by the generation. “Hipster, no longer means hipster; it’s become overused and thrown around so much that it has lost all meaning.” Cha believes that by overusing this term, one day the culture may lose its meaning all together. This generation has brought a once unknown culture to the center stage of modern media.