A Pipe Hipster: What Is It? Or He. Or She.

[mso489]

Funny, one of my old college friends (old in both senses) reminded me that in college I loudly proclaimed

I would not smoke a pipe. That was because I thought it would look like I was trying to be professorial,

or intellectual in a phony way. I was intellectual in the sense that I was an ardent history scholar (my minor,

American), a lit minor, a fiction and poetry writer, and a budding (I thought) journalist. But I didn't want to

sit around coffee shops and beer joints and play the role. I churned out the copy and hoped someone

noticed, which they occasionally did. I smoked cigars, a few a week. My college friend smoked Luckies

like a steel mill, and has long since quit. Also, my much admired dad was a pipe smoker and at the time

I was likely seeking boundaries from him, to be my own man, eventually anyway. I think I have always been

a notch too earnest (probably often foolishly) to be hip, a hipster, or anything like that. I hope I have a

lively sense of irony, but mostly I mean what I say when I can manage to do so.

 

[mso489]

andypandy, just watched the hipster youTube segment with (I think it is) Anders Sandom. He really

talks fast, looks like the caffeinated philosophy major, but really delivers his concepts well. At least

I get a clearer notion of what anthropologists of contemporary society might mean by hipster. It's sort

of status seeking performance art, like dressing up a little too flamboyantly for a party. Hmmm. Worth

a watching for any who haven't. See a few posts up.

 

[murf]

don't forget the suspenders.

 

[northernneil]

I have never understood why the term "hipster" has developed this stereotype of being a posser or fake. Those people exist within the 'trend' as fake people exist in all walks of life. But it really confusses me when the term "hipster" is used in conjunction with "fake".
To me, the new trend is to hate hipsters, and that bandwagon is getting mighty full.

 

[phred]

I have never understood why the term "hipster" has developed this stereotype of being a posser or fake.

Personally, I suspect it's because some people find it incomprehensible that someone could actually enjoy drinking PBR from a can, and therefore assume that the hipsters are faking it... :D

 

[pylorns]

When I think Hipster, this is it:

 

[andy]

I am a hipster and proud of it!!!!
Skinny jeans - Check

Checker flannelette shirt - Check

Fixie Bike - Check

Have beard - Check

Wear waistcoats - Check

In my early 30s - Check

Converse Shoes or leather boots - Check

Scarf and jacket - Check

Love free range, home grown and boutique products - Check

Love good wine and beer, produced as per the former - Check

Love my Pipe & pipe smoking - Check
So all of the above is something I have been doing for years and then suddenly someone said this is your sub culture - Hipster!! OK, nice, now I have a sub culture!
As for pipe smoking: I love my pipe, love my favorite blends, love the relaxation sitting and enjoying a good smoke brings. I also really enjoy the hobby and learning about the hobby. I love bringing new people to the hobby and creating an interest in something all readers of this site enjoy. Ultimately the more people that have an interest is what will keep our hobby alive.
Will my clothes change in the future? Probably - Will I stop pipe smoking? Absolutely not!!
So what of it? Hipster + a pipe smoker - is it such an issue????

 

[lordofthepiperings]

I still have no idea what a hipster truly is.

 

[sorringowl]

I'm kind of in the club of NorthernNeil and Andy, although, I wouldn't call myself a hipster because I'm a little too old to be wearing skinny jeans (late forties). I do have a beard and when I'm feelin' fancy, I'll even wax my moustache. I don't have a fixie bike (again, a little too old for that--my knees need gears at this age), but, I have been known to buy "fixie" pipes (as in, I buy them and fix them up). I do, however, like fixie bikes (or, at least, the idea of them as, to me, it's just the younger generation being creative about what sets them apart). It seems many of this generation, in particular, have really embraced the things of the past (and I mean way past) that are missing in much of today's world: an appreciation for traditional hobbies like ours, a hands on and hand made approach to things (like fixie bikes), and a tip of the hat to styles from days gone by (like the turn of the last century), which, I think should be applauded. So, really, I don't understand what all the fuss is about.
All in all, I appreciate any and all of the younger generation's attempts to set themselves apart, style wise and hobby wise, from generations previous, much as many of us did, gentlemen, in our younger days. In the '80's, I wore pointy shoes, schoolboy glasses and skinny ties, and a pompadour. I was trying to emulate the good ol' days of the late '50's and early '60's, and many from that generation probably thought I was weird too and would call me a "punk" (even though that's what they dressed up like in their younger days).
My point is, I think many from the older generation (and younger as well) tend to look upon the younger generation of what has been labeled "hipsters" as being inauthentic simply because they see them riding a fixie or smoking a pipe and think, "they're not real pipe smokers, they're just doing it for affect, or to be cool." Well, that's a slippery slope, for a few reasons.
I'm sure there are some old codgers who smoke pipes just for effect. So what? And I've met a few, younger pipe smokers many would label "hipsters" who were just as knowledgeable and passionate about the hobby (or more) as me or anyone else.
It takes all kinds, and I really think we should welcome anyone into the hobby, whatever their reasons for smoking a pipe, and not be excluding people because we think they're just trying to look cool (which assumes we think we look cool smoking a pipe, which is not always the case). And, besides, even if you think they're just trying to look cool (and even if they are) what the hell is so wrong with young people trying to look cool? That is by definition one of the jobs of younger people, to look cool and set trends. Can you imagine if young people started dressing like old codgers (wearing mismatched colors like brown and green together and socks with sandals)? and they were smoking pipes?
Not "cool" for the hobby of pipe smoking (no offense to pipe smokers who wear sandals and socks--even though I think that's really not a cool look).
My point is, we shouldn't be so exclusive or precious with our hobby that we mentally decide who is "deserving" enough to smoke a pipe, or be thought of a "real" pipe smoker, just based on what they look like and before actually getting to know them. For me, taking up the hobby has been a gateway to meeting all kinds of people (virtually and in person--at pipe clubs and pipe shows) whom I would not have met otherwise, and who, I've found, tend to be the kindest, most generous people I have met (many of whom, I am not proud to say, I probably would have written off in the past, simply because they did not share the same aesthetic, or political views, or any of the other million reasons to set ourselves apart from each other). Now when I see another brother (or sister) of the briar, I think to myself, "there's already one thing I like about them. Let's see what else."
I encourage us all to do the same.

 

[northernneil]

Very well stated Sorringowl! I couldn't agree with you more.

 

[cigrmaster]

If we get more pipe smokers into out ranks then who cares what they call themselves. First it was the mods, then the hippies, then generation X, now hipsters, it is just a word. We need to be inclusive of anyone who truly wants to be a pipe smoker and not look down on anyone just because they may have a name for themselves.
I do wear designer jeans that are pretty tight when I wear jeans, I usually wear a silk shirt with a silk sport coat and wear lizard and crocodile Mezlan loafers to complete my look. If the weather is cool enough I also wear a cashmere scarf. Am I a hipster or someone who is just stylish as all get up?

 

[flakyjakey]

I remember in the late 60's or early 70's there was, in the UK at least, a style of trousers called 'hipsters' that were very much in fashion for a time. They were worn by males and females and were so low-slung that they barely covered the pubis. Rod Stewart sported hipsters for a while.
I wonder if Peck has a pair in his closet, in black leather !! LOL

 

[cigrmaster]

flakey, here in the states we called those pants bell bottoms and I wore them all the time. They were also called hip huggers as they did barely cover your pubes.

 

[flakyjakey]

@Harris, in the UK they also evolved into wide bell bottoms - we called them 'Loons' !! I suspect they would flap around a bit if they were fashioned from black leather !! LOL

 

[cigrmaster]

flakey, loons huh? You guys sure do talk funny.
Back in my day it was very rare to see black leather pants, leather was usually saved for ladies unmentionables.

 

[ssjones]

So what of it? Hipster + a pipe smoker - is it such an issue????

Agreed! And with Harris, if it gets more young folks interested in pipes, that's good for everyone, but estate pipe costs...(I have to start passing the word that older, British made pipes by certain makers are not cool...)
On a related note, it was nice to see at the recent Richmond show, a lot of young guys and gals in attendance. By their dress, I guess they were hipsters. The ones I chatted with just nice and genuinely interested in the hobby/passion. It won't stick with all of them (what does), but some will still be smoking 20 years from now.
I'm too old now to completely understand what motivates young people, but if they are as respectful as the folks I met in Richmond, welcome to the club.

 

[ssjones]

We wore funny pants back then...I suspect Robert has outgrown these (btw, that photo has a great story and is one of Rocks iconic pictures)

 

[kcpoe]

I think the conversation turned from defining a hipster to why being a hipster is bad lol.
Im certainly no hipster, but I dont care who is (or isnt). I tend to deal with my own clothes, hobbies, and habits...I dont have enough time in my deal to deal with mine and critique someone elses lol. If i did that..id have no forum time!

 

[philobeddoe]

What's with all the hipster hating, do you really have that much free time to give a shit! If they smoke a pipe, then I'm all for em'.

 

[wcannoy]

I think I want to become a hipster!