What does hipsterism mean?
Hipsterism is the collection of attitudes, tastes, and behaviours commonly associated with hipsters. It often includes an emphasis on vintage fashion, independent music, alternative culture, irony, artisanal products, and awareness of supposedly obscure trends. The term can describe a recognizable social and cultural outlook, but it is frequently used in a critical or mocking way, suggesting that unconventional tastes are being followed for status, identity, or novelty. Hipsterism is not identical to the broader hippie movement of the 1960s: although both have challenged mainstream culture, hipsterism is more closely associated with later urban consumer culture and ironic self-presentation. The word is consequently useful when discussing how rebellion, authenticity, and taste can themselves become carefully managed trends. Its meaning depends heavily on context and on whether the speaker is sympathetic, neutral, or dismissive.
nounThe beliefs, attitudes, fashions, and cultural preferences associated with hipsters. The term is often used critically to describe an allegedly trend-driven or self-consciously unconventional outlook.
- The characteristic beliefs, tastes, and behaviour associated with hipsters.
"The film offers a sharp satire of urban hipsterism and its fashion-conscious affectations."
"Her retrospective of independent fashion explores how hipsterism reshaped the aesthetics of vintage clothing."
"The essay argues that hipsterism often treats cultural preferences as markers of identity rather than genuine convictions."
Usually uncountable; the plural is uncommon and is used only for distinct instances or manifestations of the phenomenon.
"The book identifies several regional hipsterisms with their own distinctive styles."
Hipsterism turned rebellion into a carefully curated aesthetic.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hipsterism come from?
The word is formed from “hipster” plus the suffix “-ism,” which turns a word for a person or type into a name for a characteristic practice, outlook, or movement. “Hipster” entered modern English during the early 20th century, although its precise early origin is uncertain. Its later association with unconventional taste developed through 20th-century youth and countercultural usage.
How hipsterism is actually used
The word is often mildly critical or ironic. It may refer to a broader cultural trend or to the tastes of individual hipsters, and is more common in discussion of Western urban and middle-class culture.
Easily confused with hipsterism
A hippie is a person associated with 1960s counterculture, especially hippie-flower ideals, whereas hipsterism usually refers to a later culture built around vintage fashion, indie culture, irony, and conspicuous unconventionality.