Q: You may have seen walking sticks with intricately carved tops; the face of a long-haired, bearded man seems to be a popular choice.  Depending upon your skill level with a pocketknife and/or other woodworking tools, you can try your hand at decorating the top of your stick.  Remember, if you mess up, you can just trim the stick off a bit shorter!  For somewhat simpler decorations, you can carve your name or initials into the stick.  You can use a wood-burning tool to make these effects as well.  Practice caution regardless of which method you employ. Also, you may find practical value in carving grooves in the area of your hand grip.  The undulating indentations found on many car steering wheels can serve as one type of inspiration, but a spiral groove that wraps around the stick can also make a comfortable grip. Once you’ve finished your trimming, whittling, curing, and carving, it is time to protect your creation so that it lasts for years to come.  Sealing and especially staining the wood is optional, but recommended to improve the look and durability of your stick.  Whether you are staining / sealing the stick or not, smooth it for comfort by using coarse and then fine sandpaper.  Wipe away any sawdust with a tack cloth or a rag moistened with paint thinner. Apply any wood stain according to the package instructions.  Expect to let each coat of stain dry overnight, and to lightly sand and wipe clean between applications.  The more coats you add, the darker the finish. Add three coats (or the recommended number as per the package instructions) of a clear urethane varnish.  Lightly sand with ultra-fine sandpaper and wipe clean between applications. Do any staining or sealing in a well-ventilated area.  Always wear gloves, and consider wearing safety glasses and breathing protection as well. If you have not carved a grip into your walking stick (see the step above on decorative carving), you can instead apply a grip after any staining and sealing is complete.  Again, this step is optional.  Practical and visually-appealing hand grips can be made from strips of leather, twine, nylon, or braided rope, wrapped around the grip area and secured with pins or small nails.  For that matter, an adhesive gripping wrap used for tennis rackets or golf clubs will also work, or even grip tape used on hockey sticks. For an extra measure of assistance in keeping ahold of your walking stick, you can also add a wrist loop if desired.  Drill a hole through the stick (ideally before staining or sealing), just above the grip area.  Feed through a strip of leather or other preferred material and tie it into a loop that will fit comfortably over the wrist. The bottom tip of your walking stick will suffer the greatest wear and tear, which can result in cracking, splitting, splintering, or rotting.  You can leave the tip in its natural state and clean, sand, or trim it as needed, or add optional protection to the bottom.  Rubber caps used for canes and walkers make an easy and affordable solution.  Look for them anywhere medical supplies are sold.  You can also use large rubber stoppers.  Drill a hole in the stopper and the bottom of the stick so that each will accept a wooden dowel, and glue the connections in place.  A short length of copper pipe can also make an elegant base protector for your walking stick.  Take a one inch length of three-quarter inch or one inch diameter copper pipe, and whittle the base of your stick until the pipe just barely slides over the tip.  Secure the pipe in place with a quick-drying epoxy glue.
A: Add creative touches. Stain and seal the wood. Get a grip. Protect the base.

Q: High waisted skirts look best with tops that are tucked in. That’s because the high waist combined with a tucked in top, creates a clear appearance of cinched waistline. Your tucked top should be fitted, like a soft blouse, a dress shirt, or even a tank top.  Thinner fabrics tend to fold and bunch up less when tucked into skirts, so keep that in mind when choosing a top.  If you have a full chest, consider wearing a looser, flowing top, but still keep it tucked in. There are some shirts that may look better with your body proportions when they are not tucked in, but you will have to experiment and see how the combination looks on you. Wearing a crop top with a high waisted skirt can transform your outfit into a summery, casual look, or keep it classy when paired with a longer, more modest skirt. Additionally, wearing a crop top with a high waisted skirt can boost your confidence in bearing your midriff.  Crop tops are extremely versatile, and can work with longer high waisted skirts, shorter, more playful high waisted skirts, and nearly everything in between. Crop tops might not be the best option for those who have fuller figures, but again, experiment and find what works best for you. Tops that have higher necklines lend a more elegant feel to any outfit, and can help redesign your outfit for more formal events. High necklines along with collared shirts add an air of sophistication and class to any high waisted piece.
A: Tuck in your top. Consider a crop top. Try out a high neck top.

Q: Faded, torn, or patched jeans will work if the rest of the outfit is sufficiently hippie, but the holy grail of hippie bottoms is none other than the denim bell bottoms. Men and women both wore these; they're a staple of hippie culture.  Embroider a peace-sign patch on your bell-bottoms. Denim, corduroy, or patterned pants will work as long as it has that characteristically hippie flair at the bottom. In fact, these might be a good alternative to your best pair of denim bell bottoms. Having trouble finding bell bottoms in this age of the skinny jeans? Here's a tutorial on how to  turn a pair of jeans into bell bottoms. Or better yet, rehab your old ones by fraying, ripping, or tearing them (although it's not strictly necessary). If you're male, turn your old jeans into cutoffs. If you're female, try turning your old jeans into short shorts. Really, the grungier, the better, especially if you're a dude. You're not really concerned with your clothes being pristine and pressed. There's much more that you can do with bottoms as a female. Take advantage of it! If the weather allows, you have many options. Consider:  Loose, flowy skirts (think gypsy style) Dresses such as tunics or sundresses Even mini- or micro-skirt (especially if paired with above-the-knee boots). Many male hippies did wear robes or even skirts. There are skirts made especially for men. Don't be afraid to wear what feels right regardless of gender.
A:
Go for denim bell bottoms. Get some denim shorts, especially if they're ripped or torn. Utilize your options if you're a lady.