Reilly T BatesOccupy L.A., the Hooverville-like protest that surrounds Los Angeles City Hall, is not just an anti-Wall Street movement — it's also a fashion showcase for a street style that is far different from the stiletto and Ugg boot-loving crowd so often seen in L.A.
From the aging hippie to FIDM hipsters, the diverse crowd and even more colorful fashions represent the growing disdain for the status quo and the hunger for change — with many of the protestors literally wearing the message on their sleeves. Here were our five favorite looks from Monday.
Credit: Patrick Range McDonald
5. Hippie Patriotic
Honest John, an established comedian in Los Angeles, went to City Hall to lend his fame to the cause. “I've been going down for a few days in a row,” says John, “and taking videos of people and uploading them to my YouTube Channel.” He makes an unusual fashion statement by mixing his decades-old tie-dyed shirt with an American flag jacket.
Credit: Patrick Range McDonald
4. Anarchist Chic
Covered with colorful bandanas to protect his identity, Mikael Balle showcases on his sleeve a “99%” patch, a reference to how the richest one percent in the United States control the majority of this country's wealth. The patch has become a kind of chic political statement at Occupy L.A.
Credit: Patrick Range McDonald
3. Hobo Goth
Ricky, left, and Moon Burns showcase a dark, gothic look, featuring stylish hats to shade their eyes. Ricky and his guitar traveled here to partake in Occupy L.A. by catching a free ride on a freight train from Denver.
Credit: Patrick Range McDonald
2. Tie-Dye Casual
Frustrated with Wall Street and sympathetic to the Occupy L.A. cause, Zandra Johnson, left, and Latrice Young joined the protest after watching it on TV. “The issues are the same as mine and I believe in what the causes are,” Johnson told us, “so I decided to join the march.” With a nod to the tie-dye, peace-loving sixties, the ladies said it was important to wear cool and casual clothes while taking to the streets — they didn't want to overheat.
1. Boho Politic
At every protest, there's always a token hipster, and Occupy L.A. is no different. Like many of her comrades, this anonymous young woman wore a provocative message on her shirt while keeping the sun out off her face with a floppy vintage fedora and Mickey Mouse shades.
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