The Evolution of the Hipster 2000-2009

Design Features

This feature appears as a spread in our November 2009 issue of Paste. You can view the whole spread here. Thanks to photographer Josh Meister, hair/makeup artist Lani Martz, tattoo artist Bryan Reynolds from Ink & Dagger, and models Michael Saba and Allie Tsavdarides for pulling this off.

2000: The Emo

The proto-hipster’s white belt and guyliner make for a soulful combination.

2000: The Emo

2001: The Emo Redux

The skulls on her tour-only Death Cab tee don’t match the skulls on her Vans, so it’s not like she’s trying too hard.

2001: The Emo Redux

2002: The Ashton

His PBR trucker hat and faux vintage t-shirt reveal an obsession with “irony.”

2002: The Ashton

2003: The Scenester

A gaudy tattoo appears on her chest, and she is never spotted without her iPod.

2003: The Scenester

2004: The Twee

He adores his rare-vinyl collection and tobacco pipe. Despite 20/20 vision, he wears Buddy Holly glasses.

2004: The Twee

2005: The Fauxhemian

She suffers for fashion, wearing a furry hat, boots and keffiyah even during the warmest months. Her new wrist tattoo is the Japanese symbol for beauty—or at least that’s what the guy at the tat shop told her.

2005: The Fauxhemian

2006: The Mountain Man

He seeks working-class authenticity, taking pride in his full beard and the fact that he’s often mistaken for a homeless person.

2006: The Mountain Man

2007: The Vintage Queen

She shops at retro boutiques and posts Holga photos on her blog. She has said that the koi fish cover-up tattoo on her arm symbolizes “nature and love and peace and stuff.”

2007: The Vintage Queen

2008: The Williamsburg

He thoughtfully hangs shutter shades in the deep-V of his white tee, and he’s often seen walking his fixed-gear bike around town while texting with his iPhone.

2008: The Williamsburg

2009: The Meta-Nerd

By wearing the popular Three Wolf Moon T-shirt, today’s hipster makes a mockery of herself. She has finally completed the full-sleeve tattoo.

2009: The Meta-Nerd

This feature appears as a spread in our November 2009 issue of Paste. Thanks to photographer Josh Meister, hair/makeup artist Lani Martz, tattoo artist Bryan Reynolds from Ink & Dagger, and models Michael Saba and Allie Tsavdarides for pulling this off.

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