How to Spot a Hipster in 5 Easy Steps

What is a Hipster?

Hipster (noun) definition: Definitions are too mainstream. Hipsters can’t be defined because then they would fit into a category, and thus be too mainstream.

But if they cannot be defined, how are we supposed to spot one? Well, TLS is hoping to point you in the right direction if you want to fake it in London.

As one of the most upcoming stereotypes and categories of people in modern society (yes, they do in fact fit into a category), hipsters are beginning to be seen everywhere in popular culture. Just think about all those indie style bands in the charts at the moment. Look at their haircuts. Look at their clothes. Take One Direction for example (even though no one ever should), it clearly wasn’t their mother’s idea for them to have floppy messy hair and wear skinny jeans that reduce any hope of future grandkids. Instead their stylists are trying to recreate the cool “hipster” look that is central to London’s East End.

London is a city that has always been fashion forward and setting the trends for other cities. That’s why no one does hipster like East London.

Here’s my 5 easy ways to spot a true hipster in London:

1.  Clothes: to be a real hipster they will own either a tote bag or a backpack. They will wear double denim – meaning denim shorts and a denim jacket (guys and girls). They may also like to wear 90s hip hop t-shirts in an ironic way. Do they really listen to 90s hip hop? Will we ever find out?

One way to never ever wear your tote bag.

2. Accessories: an apple Mac is compulsory. But so is a rubbish phone. They will probably use a phone that you can still play Snake on.  Think Nokia 3310, something you can buy for a tenner at the market.

Apple Mac: check, denim jacket: check, pretentious bike/coffee shop: check.

3. Place of work: probably a bar or a new upcoming hip bar/restaurant. Their work ethic is average. They spend plenty of time drinking the booze behind the counter and looking cool. No one is sure exactly what they do during the day time or whether or not they really need the job. Other occupations (as in ones they list on facebook): blogger, photographer, underground DJ.

4. Place of study in London: most probably Goldsmiths or Central Saint Martins.

The very appealing Shacklewell Arms

5. Just go to The Shacklewell Arms in Dalston. This slightly average, dingy pub that looks like the inside of a working men’s club circa 1978 is like catnip to hipsters. On a Friday night this place is innavigable, as hipsters from far and wide travel to this remote pub somewhere in the middle of a residential area. The only proper way to find this place is to Hansel and Gretel it, and follow the trail of Red Stripe cans off Dalston’s Kingsland Road, round the winding roads until you eventually get there. Or google map it.

Disclaimer: This list was compiled as a joke. Mostly.

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