Enjoy expressing your free spirit?
Then embrace your inner flower child, style fearlessly, and dress for the bohemian style personality.
What is b0hemian style?
The bohemian style is characterized by romantic, floaty layers, funky patterns, and artful layering.
Bohemian style, also referred to as boho, has always been an alternative style to fashion at any given time. It incorporates ideas from around the world as well as from history.
It is a style which features long, loose, colorful clothing and is most associated with the peace and love hippie era. It is particularly associated with creative people such as artists, musicians and writers.
Signature elements of boho style
Key elements of boho style are long loose layers, tassels, fringing, natural fabrics, patchwork, paisley and plenty of jewelry.
Celebrities with a bohemian style
Bohemian style will never go out of style but it has definitely enjoyed a revival in recent years.
Kate Hudson, Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, music superstars Janis Joplin and Stevie Nicks, and fashion icon Jane Birken are just a few of the famous poster girls for the bohemian, or boho chic, look.
They combine clothes in inventive and fearless ways and channel a romantic, free-spirited 60’s sensibility.
Designers with a bohemian style
If you are naturally drawn to bohemian styling, these are the fashion designers which will appeal to you most.
Missoni, Etro, Alanui, Cinq á Sept, Akris, Brunello Cucinelli, Melissa Odabash, Chloé.
Missoni – Cinq à Sept – Etro
How to tell if you have a bohemian style
If you feel you may have a bohemian style, but aren’t sure, you could take the fun style personality quiz to find out.
Other signs that you have a bohemian style are…
1. You are probably creative
Not everyone who has a bohemian style, or elements of it, works in the creative industries, but there is probably a creative side to you.
Your outfits are a way of expressing that.
2. Women with bohemian style don’t like to conform
Just like the rock style personality and the urban style personality, you don’t like to be a conformist. You prefer to express yourself in your own way.
3. You like to be comfortable
Of course you want to be stylish, but you won’t be uncomfortable for your style. You like clothes that don’t restrict your movement.
Tips for dressing in a bohemian style 1. Layer your clothing
The key is to create a relaxed, free-spirited look and layers will help you to achieve the travelling gypsy look which inspired this style.
Mel (above) wears a beautiful embroidered duster jacket.
Check out this similar embroidered tunic and mini dress from Amazon that you can pair with a similar pair of suede flare pants.
2. Choose long, flowing pieces
The whole idea of boho style is that it is free and easy.
You shouldn’t wear anything that constricts you. Choose long, flowing maxi skirts and dresses, and loose tunics and peasant tops.
Rebecca (above) shows how you could wear a boho dress for fall.
Get a similar boho dress from Amazon and pair it with these similar boots and fedora hat from Nordstrom.
3. Choose natural fabrics
Bohemian style is at one with nature, so you will want to choose natural fabrics whenever you can, such as cotton, linen, hemp, wool, leather and cheesecloth.
Catherine (above) opts for a relaxed pair of print pants.
Copy her look with these similar cold shoulder top and palazzo pants.
For more inspiration take a look at how to wear printed pants.
4. Choose natural colors
Just as you will want to choose fabrics which are natural, choose colors which are soft and muted or which can be found in nature.
Michelle (above) wears a maxi dress with a floral design.
Check out this maxi dresses option from Ganni. To complete the look, get these similar boots, tassel earrings and crossbody bag.
5. Add plenty of jewelry
As well as layering your clothes, you can layer your accessories.
Opt for necklaces with tassels or coins as well as stacking your bracelets and wearing plenty of rings.
Also take a look at how to nail the layered necklace trend.
Dayle (above) opts to wear an oversized pair of earrings and necklace.
There are a lot of bohemian accessories you can find at Nordstrom and Amazon.
Why the bohemian style suits any body shape
With loose, forgiving layers, the bohemian style suits many body types.
The layers can add curves to a rectangular body shape, and can balance out a pear body shape with detailing, ruffles and dramatic necklines to draw attention to the upper body.
Add a maxi dresses with uneven hemlines, dresses with bell sleeves, to your capsule wardrobe.
Layer vests, jackets, scarves and other elements over this foundation.
Look for vintage inspired patterns, velvets, ikat tribal prints and rich detailing to communicate a romantic, bohemian style.
A complete bohemian style wardrobe for you
Here’s how to create your own bohemian capsule wardrobe.
Tops
Choose tops with interesting cuts, tribal, paisley or batik patterns, ruffles and unique hems.
Bell sleeves, embroidery or shirts made of unique materials like faux suede add instant bohemian style to even a basic outfit.
Wit & Wisdom crochet detail top – Loveappella wrap blouse – Caslon embroidered pompom tank – Lucky Brand peasant top
Clare (above) teams her peasant blouse with jeans and leopard print.
Get this similar embroidered blouse, cuff jeans and booties to steal her look.
Sweaters and cardigans
When looking for sweaters this season, try to find knitwear with tassel or tie detailing as well as bell sleeves and patterns.
You could opt for a short sweater to layer over longer tops, or create long lines with a long cardigan.
Cupcakes and Cashmere sweatshirt – Tommy Bahama open front cardigan – Nic+Zoe fringe cuff top – Press long fringed cardigan
Lydia (above) creates a boho look with her floppy hat and lace duster.
Also check out how to style a duster jacket.
Check out this similar white tank top, jeans, white sheer topper, wide brim hat, bangles and leopard belt.
Jackets and coats
Choose jackets with stand-out details and unique shapes to layer over bohemian dresses, pants, and skirts.
Bohemian style wardrobe staples include kimono jackets, shearling or suede vests for a bohemian rocker style, capes or ponchos, and faux fur vests to layer.
BB Dakota faux fur vest – Free People wing duster – Cupcakes and Cashmere tweed jacket – Sam Edelman shearling trim jacket – Blank NYC suede trench coat
Maria layers her faux fur vest over a boho dress for a classic bohemian look.
Get this similar sweater,printed maxi skirt, faux fur vest, beaded necklace and skinny scarf to recreate this chic bohemian look.
Pants and jeans
Show off your bohemian style by choosing pants that really make a statement.
Add pants to your wardrobe that have offbeat or unusual details and materials.
Bell bottoms, embroidery, patchwork, faux leather or suede, or natural textures like gauze and linen add offbeat adventurous style to your wardrobe.
Englsh Factory shark bite hem jeans – Frame raw edge flare jeans – Good American suede jeans – Ted Baker London jacquard pants
Carelia opts for flared jeans to complete her bohemian look.
Copy this look with this similar cinch waist blouse, cropped flare jeans, wedge sandals and fedora hat.
Dresses and skirts
When choosing skirts look for spirited details like waterfall hemlines, fringe, embroidery, crochet, and lace detailing.
Galiya (below) wears her boho skirt with statement jewelry.
Check out this similar off shoulder top, maxi skirt and statement tassel necklace.
A hallmark of the boho style is to combine pieces in interesting and unexpected ways.
Try pairing a leather skirt with a delicate lace top. Wear a rugged shearling vest over a longer length feminine skirt.
Ted Baker London long sleeve dress – Chelsea28 a-line dress – Karen Kane tiered maxi skirt – Kenguru Cove boho skirt
For more inspiration check out how to wear a maxi dress or skirt.
Boots and Shoes
Choose substantial boots and shoes to offset the lighter floaty layers of the bohemian style.
Oiled leather boots work well with uneven hem maxi skirts and dresses.
Choose sandals with substantial straps and contrasting textures.
Look out for booties with details like grommets, and laces, and booties made of surprising materials like sumptuous velvet.
Minnetonka fringe boot – Ugg shearling trim bootie – Very Volatile suede sneaker – Minnetonka moccasin
Elena (above) creates a simple, stylish boho look with her burnt orange dress.
Steal this look with this similar midi dress and lace-up boots.
Accessories
An easy, often affordable way to add bohemian style to your wardrobe is with artful, attention-grabbing accessories.
Wide brimmed and fedora hats and bold jewelry communicate a bohemian sensibility. Layer necklaces to add boho style to any simple outfit.
Choose unstructured bags in a slouch or hobo shape. Mix in details like colorful tassels, fringe and nubuck leather for an earthy vibe.
Hagit Dana (above) wears a floaty dress with a crossbody bag.
Check out these similar tassel earrings and round crossbody bag.
Try your hand at bohemian dressing by thinking creatively.
Mix exotic patterns. Wear layers of long necklaces.
Try wearing long, statement-making earrings, wrap a tie-dyed scarf, or add a stack of ethnic inspired bracelets to your ensemble.
Tory Burch fringe crossbody bag – Knotty woven top handle bag – BP. skinny scarf – Eileen Fisher poncho wrap – Gorjana necklace – Beck Jewels jade earrings – Nakamol Design fringe drop earrings – Canvas tassel layered necklace – Nordstrom floppy felt hat
Here are 9 bohemian style looks using our capsule wardrobe elements
There are so many different ways that you could combine the clothes and accessories above.
Part of the beauty of bohemian style is the ability to put together outfits in unusual ways, so you could wear these in dozens of combinations.
Here are 9 outfits to get you started. Boho summer dresses
This article is concentrating on fall, but if you do happen to live where you are actually heading into summer, or you are heading off on vacation to sunnier climes, here are some boho summer dresses for you.
If you love these styles but you are in winter and fall, you could always team with warm layers and boots.
Topshop slipdress – Angie leopard print dress – Ever New tiered wrap dress – Viishow maxi dress
Boho clothing stores
If you know that you have a bohemian style, where are the best places to shop?
You probably pick up clothes and accessories when you travel, and also from vintage stores.
Here are some of the best stores for you to create your capsule bohemian closet.
Free People BP Nic+Zoe The Odells Band of Gypsies Very Volatile Lucky Brand
Have you tried adding bohemian style elements to your own wardrobe?
Continue reading:
Understanding The Different Styles A Capsule Wardrobe And Style Guide For The ROMANTIC Style Personality A Capsule Wardrobe And Style Guide For The NATURAL Style Personality Like this post on the bohemian style personality? Share it on Pinterest!
Feature image by Maria
The post A capsule wardrobe for the bohemian style personality appeared first on 40+ Style.
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