1. Pitchfork.
Pitchfork, the ultimate website to namedrop. If Pitchfork says something’s cool, it’s cool, but the opposite is also true. Pitchfork is so influential that after they gave Travis Morrison’s (former Dismemberment Plan frontman) Travistan album a review of 0.0, sales dropped and it was virtually blacklisted by college radio.
How to use this in conversation: “Hey, have you heard the reissue of Serge Gainsbourg’s Histoire de Melody Nelson? Pitchfork gave it a 10.0, it’s arguably the French master’s best work.”
2. LOOKBOOK
LOOKBOOK is the perfect website to use to find ideas and inspiration for style. So elite that it’s invite-only, access can be gained by applying but previous interest in fashion has to be stated. Individual style is prized, but of course there’s an edge of irony in the similarities between all the photos.
How to use this in conversation: “Yes, I saw something similar on LOOKBOOK but of course I chose to put my own edge to it. I found this shirt at a thrift store, actually.”
3. Last Night’s Party
Welcome to New York City’s hottest underground parties. Anyone who’s anyone in the scene can be spotted in these photos, from rock stars to drag queens. Edgy and hedonistic, the mastermind behind this has been quoted as saying he thinks photography is “more rock & roll than rock & roll.”
How to use this in conversation: “I was hanging out with Leighton Meester last night, the photos might be up on Last Night’s Party by now.”
4. Cobra Snake
The website that shot “club urchin” Cory Kennedy to fame, Mark Hunter’s blog has photos of the underground LA scene and documents both underground LA parties and the high fashion scene. Now also with a store, Cobra Snake has that je ne sais quoi that’s so hard to pin down.
How to use this in conversation: “Mark Hunter was talking to me, we’re going to a party that he’s going to feature on Cobra Snake tomorrow.”
5. Urban Outfitters
Not just a clothes website, Urban Outfitters is the ultimate in clothes that look like you haven’t tried, when really you’ve spent upwards of £50+ just on a skirt. Expensive, but perfect for all the hipsters who live off their parents’ bank accounts.
How to use this in conversation: You don’t. It’s way too mainstream.
6. Free Williamsburg
Because all the true hipsters live in Williamsburg, this is essential reading. This website calls itself ‘The Williamsburg Brooklyn Culture Guide’ and has up to date information about all the latest goings on in Brooklyn. Specifically free ones, and ones which are just way too underground for anyone to find — unless they’re connected to the scene, of course. The perfect way to eradicate all the mere commoners who, y’know, just wouldn’t get it.
How to use this in conversation: “Oh, my Hipster Grifter tshirt? Yeah, they linked to it on the Free Williamsburg site.” (Warning: shirt should only be worn ironically.)
7. Viceland
Viceland came up with the “Dos and Don’ts” feature, basically posting candid photos of people from the street and either mocking their fashion or admiring it. Both sardonic and ironic, Vice focuses on debauchery — mainly sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. A hipster’s wet dream.
How to use this in conversation: “I saw someone with those shoes in Vice Magazine the other day. Of course, they were under the ‘Don’t’ section.”
8. Salon.com
Because how are you going to be superior to everyone else in casual conversation if you’re not keeping up with current affairs? And Salon.com is the perfect way to do that. Not only is there coverage of the US politics (of course, it’s very Liberal-skewed) but there are also reviews of film and music (if you didn’t get your music fill from Pitchfork already).
How to use this in conversation: “Oh, you’re talking about the Bush administration? Did you hear that Wolfowitz said GTMO should use more aggressive interrogation techniques?”
9. Brooklyn Vegan
We’ve already discussed how any hipster worth their Pabst Blue Ribbon lives in Brooklyn, and of course veganism is a required trait. But this blog is written by a brooklyn vegan, not necessarily for them. Instead, they’re a “mostly-music blog” centring on everything going on in good old NYC.
How to use this in conversation: “I plan on going to the Hoboken Springs Arts & Music Festival — according to Brooklyn Vegan, there’s a pretty rad line-up.”
10. Scissorkick
Yet another music blog, but you can never be a hipster if you can’t reel off at least ten bands that no one’s ever heard of, making the music websites into required reading. And Scissorkick is one of the least well-known and, therefore, one of the best.
How to use this in conversation: Don’t mention Scissorkick! Let people just think you naturally know about these bands.