Sounds like the so-called hippieclique of Durango has hijacked the label... and I agree that true hippies are very cool people. Funny, the good folks that I consider to be true hippies wouldn't consider themselve to be as such. It may be that we differ in our definitions of what a hippie is (which is cool) but to me a true hippie is someone who remains true to who they are in spite of the expectations of the people around them.
i think its more of a state of mind, because some people dont live a hippy life ya know, like when u look at them you wont think, oh they are a hippie, but if they think like it, and have the same ideas and beliefs, then i think they are a hippy still ya know. then there are some who when u look at them can tell. Like me haha its just the way i live, free spirited, loving, understanding, open minded, caring, freedom ya know... i dont even know if ne of that made sense.
If it's a true state of mind it's going to reflect itself in how an individual conducts their life. "Hippie" is not a look- it's an attitude. If someone doesn't live a hippie live then they don't have the state of mind and if they call themselves hippies then they are poseurs... they'll stick with the hippie bandwagon until the next big thing comes along.
A hippie state of mind is whatever you want it to be; a punk state of mine is whatever you want it to be --on crack.