Hippie Dresses

It’s a given that not all fashion staples are worthy of their making. Unflattering leggings, gigantic shoulder pads, and high waisted pants have landed themselves on many of women’s fashion nightmare lists. But as fashion trends come and go, one bohemian fashion staple always stays in style. Although the most well known hippie frocks are constructed from a variety of patchwork fabrics, corduroy, and floral prints, the most basic item in hippie garb is the flowy and airy gauze or cotton dress that wears through many of the seasons, most commonly known as the hippie dress. The appeal? That’s easy! Hippie dresses flatter a variety of body shapes and are available in a wide range of price points, increasing their fashion versatility and practicality.

The simple and generous cuts of these dresses carry over the curves and grace the waistline. Long lengths elongate body frames and create ethereal silhouettes.

Despite their tie dyed roots, hippie dresses really can define a wide variety of looks and styles with the right finishing touches.

Get Earthy

Tailored dresses may define your figure and chic up your look, but one element that tailored dresses inevitably lack is comfort. When the dog days of summer come knocking on your door, hippie dresses, with their flowing layers of gauze, silk and muslin, are a welcome retreat from the structured and ordinary sundresses of the season. With 70s fashion and maxi dresses making a smashing runway comeback, get flowy and stay cool with this season’s hottest remake of hippie dresses.

Flow Worthy Fashion

With their organic construction and feminine appeal, a natural and whimsical dress makes perfect sense when participating in the following activities:

• Outdoor summer concerts
• Coffee shop runs
• Art and craft festivals
• Library trips
• Tourist attractions
• Thrift and antique shopping
• Visiting college campuses
• Mountain or beach living

Dressing Up Hippie Dresses

Fear not the lack of style when donning a handmade or homespun frock. The following fashion ideas will help you channel your own inner goddess. The humble hippie inspired gown can be dressed up or edged out for an urban feel. Scour flea markets, high end department stores, or your sister’s closet for the perfect trimmings to top off your fairytale look.

• Hippie: For an authentic hippie edge, pair your maxi with a hand knit beanie, a pair of Birkenstocks, a variety of hemp necklaces, and a few dabs of patchouli oil.
• Bohemian or indie: Hippie garb easily translates over to the British hip indie style. Pair your long hippie dress with a smashing pair of gladiator sandals, a silky vintage lace bed jacket, and feminine locket jewelry for dainty and intricate appeal.
• Vintage Retro: For those who like the old classics, pairing wooden heeled platform shoes, bakelite jewelry, and a leather or suede hobo bag is the perfect way to accessorize your comfy dress.
• Artsy: Get eclectic! Pair your dress with leather flats, soft and structured cardigans from Anthropologie and handcrafted silver jewelry for a smart and unique art gallery worthy frock.
• Feminine: Dainty necklaces, metallic sandals or pumps, and a pashmina wrap take the earthy look to a whole new feminine level.

Get Dressed

Flowy dresses always make their debut early spring and stick around through the heat of summer. End of summer sales are perfect for stocking up for next year. Seasonless fabrics may include silk or woven cotton dresses. Velvet, corduroy and gauze dresses wear best in summer or fall.

To extend the wear of your billowy dress, hand wash and line dry to maintain the structure and shape.