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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, August 16, 2009

Woodstock fashion for today


By Olivia Barker
USA Today

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Sure, Woodstock '69 was billed as a festival of peace and music, but style also had its place there. Lucky magazine fashion director Hope Greenberg shared some ideas for channeling a hippie spirit 40 years later with items like this Geldof tie-dye maxi dress, available at SirAlistairRai.com.

SirAlistairRai.com via Gannett

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Get goove on with items like this Jimi Hendrix T-shirt from Roxy's Tee Parlour and Jessica Simpson Woodstock hobo bag, available at Piperlime.com.

Courtesy of Piperlime.com and Gannett

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Sure, Woodstock '69 was billed as a festival of peace and music, but style also took center stage.

Lucky magazine fashion director Hope Greenberg says it is possible to channel your inner flower child 40 years later, without looking like you're rehearsing for a role in "Hair."

"You want to choose one or two elements, pieces that represent the trend," Greenberg says. "And then dress it down with something that's simple and that feels modern."

TAMED TIE-DYE

The tie-dye T-shirt and denim cutoffs or a mini are "like peanut butter and jelly," Greenberg says. "You just have to do them together." Add slippers and aviators (as opposed to more obvious oversized or granny glasses), and hit the beach.

Rein in bigger tie-dye tributes — maxi dresses, caftans, tunics — with a belt, skinny vs. the typical late-'60s choice of thick brown leather.

Try: Geldof tie-dye maxi dress, $175 at www.SirAlistairRai.com; Billabong Cabo cami, $29.50 at www.Swell.com.

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

When it comes to expressing the politics of the era in a symbol, "just keep it really little," Greenberg says. So skip shirts emblazoned with dinner-plate-sized peace signs and go for dime-sized tokens instead. Take a leather cord necklace and pile on a bunch of charms, representing the Woodstock spiritual spectrum of peace, love and rock 'n' roll.

Try: Olive N Figs sterling silver dove in love pendant necklace with 18-inch sterling silver shiny snake chain, $21.52 at www.Amazon.com; Seasonal Whispers peace sign beaded necklaces, $96 to $136 each at www.Artfulwears.com.

EARTHY ACCESSORIES

A wood platform wedge and a leather fringe bag are iconic pieces; just keep them away from other obvious Woodstock references. (Greenberg recommends draping the bag over a short, simple silk dress versus, say, a prairie skirt and peasant blouse.) Likewise, slip on the sandal of '69, the Birkenstock, but keep up the contrast with, for example, a black cotton summer dress.

"It really plays against the hippie vibe of Birkenstocks and just makes it not look sloppy. It brings it into a wearable day look."

Try: BCBGirls Manola woven platform wedge, $98 at www.Piperlime.com; Jessica Simpson Woodstock hobo, $108 at www.Piperlime.com.

GRAPHIC STATEMENTS

"You can't go wrong with vintage band tees," Greenberg says. With 32 Woodstock musicians to honor, there's a T-shirt for every day of the month. Bring them into the current decade with skinny jeans, a shrunken blazer and high-heel ankle boots.

Try: Jimi Hendrix T-shirt from Roxy's Tee Parlour, $24 at www.Artezn.com.