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Do you arrive in Ibiza wearing flowing white linen and wearing flowers in your hair? Or are you more likely to be found strutting through the clubs in designer micro-shorts and a mountain of bling? We invited two of our writers to argue their case for the true style of Ibiza...

Hippie style will never die.
Words by Katja Horvat

While the California dreams of the 60s may define »hippie« for most Europe has its own hideaway that time (almost) forgot: Ibiza. 

For as long as anyone can remember people have come here pulled by the free-spirited, laid-back attitude. Even before the first hippies made their appearance in 60s Vietnam veterans, rock stars, models, bohemian musicans, artists, Jews, draft-dodgers were drawn to the tolerant spirit and horizontal pace of life. (There were only 12 cars in Ibiza in 1956, making it pretty hard to be in a rush). 

These wanderers brougth their own distinctive looks: faded old Army fatigues, flared trousers, sandals, white linen shirts and trousers, flowing gypsy skirts, and even more flowing hair. It was a world away from the rustic formality of traditional Ibicenco dress but their style quickly became synonymous with Ibiza - so much so Escada named one of their perfume lines »Ibiza Hippie.«

It didn't take long for the modifier »hippie« to become redundant. As far as the world was concerned this flower-power infused look was Ibiza style. The only thing more stereotypically »Ibiza« than a crochet dress and rope sandals was, possibly, straight up nudity - a hippie innovation which shot Spain's conservative beaches from Franco's dark age into the enlightenment of the 20th century.  

While the cars have multiplied and David Bowie and Grace Jones have been replaced by, er, James Blunt and Paris Hilton Ibiza still hums its siren hippie song. Among the most famous current residents is Jade Jagger (papa was a rolling stone...) who, along with best pal Kate Moss, regularly relaxes naked in Cala Pluma beach. It's pure hippie body worship, loving yourself for who you are, living in freedom. When they do dress up their look defines what people think of as "Ibiza style" - kaftans, sandals, floppy sunhats, bold colours and prints. 

They're not alone either. Eolour-fixated designer Matthew Williamsons is part of the gang, as is uber-chic Carine Roitfeld (editor of French Vogue), Jean Paul Gaultier (who never met a trend he didn't like) and ex-Chloe designer Phoebe Philo. They can be spotted browsing the hippie markets in search of unique clothes, jewellery or handcrafted leather goods. For an island of its size and population Ibiza supports more than its share of markets ranging from the vile tourist trap of Es Canar to chilled Sant Jordi to Las Dhalias ' stylish Saturday session.  

The hippie sterotype is reinforced by brands like Gucci, Missoni and Louis Vuitton who come to Ibiza to shoot 60s and 70s referencing campaigns. Last year Roberto Cavalli shot Miss Moss posing on the beach in a huge hat and a hand-made bikini while this spring saw Vogue Eyeware kick off summer with a much hyped launch at neo-hippie haven Atzaro.
  
It's not just the money-dripping A-list keeping the love generation's dream alive. You can still go to sunset drumming sessions at Benirras beach, attended by hippies and wannabes of all ages and persuasion. On Salinas jet setters relax in flowing tops and the ubiquitous white linen strides. While  Es Cavallet and Aguas Blancas cater to the the clothing-optional crowd.  

However style changes it seems "hippie" is here to stay in Ibiza. Floaty dresses; beads; barefeet; fringed bags; linen; florals… they'll never go out of fashion. Nor will the essential values that brought the peace and love crowd here in the first place - openness, tolerance, respect for nature, a relaxed attitude and the desire to savour the simple pleasures of music, wine and sunsets on the beach. 

***

'The time's they are a-changing' - Ibiza's cutting edge style...
Words by Kat Lister 

A music expert could tell you who sang the above (Bob Dylan). A historian could inform you this bohemian anthem was written in 1964.

Do you need a journalistto tell you that "hippie fashion" is not relevant in Ibiza in 2008? 

Let's crank this "hippie" thing down a notch and put things into perspective. Let's face facts: it's been forty years since the death knell of hippie-dom and we're still harping on about the summer of '69. Let's leave California dreaming to The Byrds and try and remember that most of us weren't old enough to witness the release of 'Woodstock' the movie…let alone the festival itself. 

It's high time we forgot what Ibiza was and celebrate what is is. Bob Dylan no longer claims a residency at his Formentera castle. Folk princess Joni Mitchell packed up her guitar-case after writing 'Blue' in 1971 and left the island soon after. Es Canar (the original debauched hippie-market hang-out) is now a Club 18-30 hellhole plagued by Irish theme-pubs and overpriced consumerist junk. The hippies (or as the Ibicencos accurately labelled them 'peluts' meaning 'hairies') have left the building. Capiche? 

So throw out those white gypsy skirts, lock up your peasant blouses, pack up those kaftans in your old kit-bag and bin that godforsaken tie-die. Girls: book yourself in for a bikini wax (boys: shave off your David Crosby beards and cut off those lanky Neil Young locks). The times they are a-changing…and you don't have to venture far to see how… 

Drive down the dusty road towards Salinas and all becomes clear. Throngs of fashionistas line the entrance and there's not a Jesus sandal in sight. There's only one philosophy here at DC10, and it's simple: 'Anything goes.' 

Dancing girls parade in scarlet bikinis and matching 40s-inspired headbands as they twirl their parasols against the dusk light. They gracefully shape-shift their way through the circus parade of clubbing masses. There's no one 'trend' on display here: old rave stands alongside nu-rave; glam shuffles beside minimal chic.  

Apathetic euro-trashers survey the scene from beneath their Gucci sunglasses, tight-fitting t-shirts and D&G jeans. Cartoon clubbers in face paint and dripping faux-jewels make the car park their stage as they defy the heat in carefully constructed mini skirts and suede boots. Men sport red afro wigs dressed and a white-vested appartition appears in the guise of a feathered red-indian and makes his way past a suited and booted Spiderman, (well, every superhero needs a night off from saving the world...). 

Theatrics are never far from view as the sun sets over the island and the Balearic clowns come out to play. Some embody 'feminine' style with gusto, others choose to rock the androgynous look. Boys who like girls who do boys like they're girls, if you will. Gone are long-haired grungers and firmly in their place is the Ibicenco Adonis: clean-cut, clean-shaven and bronzed to perfection; sporting an array of tantalising tattooes and body piercings.

Peace and love are still be on the menu in Ibiza, but the attitude now parades in a fresh and modern outfit, befitting an island that is far from stuck in the past. The frills and trills are all but a distant memory to the current batch of island-goers who have taken the spirit of the hippie generation to a new level of expression. Here's to 2008. And not a corduroy flare in sight…