One of the most spectacular and feminine styles that exist as trends in the world of fashion is the boho or bohemian one, which forms an important part of the fashion lines of many brands. Originally, the etymology of the word goes to the land of Bohemia, having been located on the territory of the present-day Czech Republic. Longing for freedom and year to break all the accepted rules and dogmatic stereotypes of the world surrounding them, the carriers of this ideology created a very specific and, indeed, unique style, serving as an irreplaceable source of inspiration even nowadays. If you also long to be a bohemian goddess, make sure you know all the rules and style tips on how to wear the boho-chic fashion trend!
This year is more about finding your own personal essentials that can underline your true individuality. Add something that has your own history, I mean, it can be the watches from your childhood, a bracelet of your grandma, or even a patch on your skirt taken from your old clothes.
Historically, boho is quite a young style, having originated as such in the ‘60s. So it’s the style of artists, the style of free and beautiful people and just the style of those, who want to be free! If we were to define the boho mood as such, probably we would use descriptive details like joyfulness and openness to the world. The constant search of new inventions and discoveries, the longing towards everything that’s artistic and beautiful and the absolutely free and at the same time harmonious inner world are what the boho style is actually shaped with.
It’s like taking the best details and shapes from other styles and fashion decades. Have you ever tried mixing and matching your favorite tops and skirts, so why don’t you take it to the next level and try the same thing with mixing various styles?
The Main Elements of the Boho Style
In this section we can speak about a number of peculiar characteristic aspects that the bohemian style is especially noted for, among which the keys are:
- The use of natural fabrics like linen, velvet, chiffon, silk, fur, suede, leather, denim, cotton, etc.
- Multi-layered textures.
- Comfort in everything, especially regarding shoes, which are traditionally made with not too high heels, on platform or wedges.
- The lavish amount of accessories, including bracelets, sunglasses, necklaces, belts, earrings, pearls or jewels, bands, headbands etc.
- Natural tones and colors. This immediately implies the absence of neon shades.
- The existence of floral patterns, checks, ethnic-inspired prints, eclectic hints and avant-garde style accents.
- High waisted designs, flare finishes, fringes, big accessories, lace, maxi skirts, variously textured pieces, knitted details, etc.
- You shouldn’t include more than four shades in the combos if the garments you pick are already catchy and made of some attention-grabbing materials or textures. You may thus use tones like black, gray, beige, or brown as key options, spicing them up with golden, purple, red or bordeaux shades.
Ethnic looks or nomad outfits play a huge role in creating a perfect boho-chic style in 2018. But be careful and don’t overdo with it, otherwise, you may look like a desperate bum.
Basic Types of The Boho-Chic Style
When talking about the boho-chic style, we can’t but also note the similarities that exist between it and the hippie style, as well as that of vintage looks. Still, the main trend of boho looks may be divided into three main groups.
- For the classy boho style, details like mohair, velvet, and knitwear, often complemented with jacquard design prints are typical.
- For some more romantic looks, the application of soft and weightless fabrics like chiffon and lace is descriptive. Floral decorations, ribbons, and bows are also a good way of creating the romantic and dreamy images. The inclination towards vintage looks is noticeable in this respect.
- The following option is the boho hippie style encompassing the characteristic details of the hippie style and merging them with the boho ideology. The outcome of this is the usage of lavish and bright colors, matched with the girly and romantic vibes.
However, apart from these three basic directions, we can also speak about the style interferences like folk, military, and even gypsy style garments. There are also certain principles underlying the design of the boho looks, according to which it’s important:
- Not to copy others’ styles and designs, but to come up with something individual and creative, and also to be sure to include accessories in the combinations, using them as primary accents.
- As for the designs, one primary characteristic feature is the use of multiple layers of fabrics, oversized knitted sweaters topping dresses, a variety of accessories, and catchy and bright handbags, all put in a charming harmony with each other.
- The color palette is the following distinguishing aspect of the boho-chic style, coming with unusual print and pattern solutions, thus also shaping the bright and unexpected tone combinations. This style also allows the use of pastel and neutral shades like gray, blue, and pink in order to create the weightless effect and the softness of the looks.
- Materials used for the combinations are just as important, thus coming with similar options as we noted in case of boho looks in general, placing a special emphasis on the natural fabrics used.
Ultra-rich fabrics like lace and brocade are the hottest additions to fall and winter lines. Back-again-black along with gray and purple are the most popular for jaw-dropping dresses, frilly tops and tweed trousers that will line racks and closets everywhere in upcoming months. The feminine, flowy look will still be desirable, but it will be achieved with blouson skirts and culottes instead of sheer, floor-length numbers. If you’re concerned newer more regal fabrics like velvet, lace and tweed will still look make you look more thirties than twenties, you can still look eclectic-chic by matching new pieces with your favorite over-stated Boho belts and jewelry.
If you’re still worried about shifting from fun and flirty to dark and serious, mix fabrics to achieve an even more eclectic look: there are NO rules this season about mixing tweeds and velvet or brocades with lace. More than anything, have fun mixing your existing styles with a totally new style to find your personal fit–fall, and winter will bring plenty of opportunities to get away with experimenting.
The Main Characteristics of Boho-Chic Style
The Choice of Garments
The easiest way of going boho is incorporating some typical bohemian style clothing into your wardrobe (get inspired by my favorite looks in this boho 2018 post), including maxi dresses or maxi skirts, which can be matched with crochet tops, oversized shirts, graphic t-shirts or simple chambray tops.
Tunics, slouchy knitted sweaters, ripped denim pieces, like short shorts, jeans or rompers, loosely hanging mini dresses, crochet, denim or fur vests are other typical bohemian style garments. In addition, you can also use garments like ripped jeans, velour or velvet pants, cardigans, and jackets especially when they are designed with floral prints, trench coats, fur outerwear garments, etc.
Footwear
As for boho style shoes, the exact types of footwear that you need are ballet flats, ethnic-inspired sandals having the influence of Greek, Roman, or African styles, cowboy boots, etc., but the most important is that they should be matching the shade of the garments and more preferably come in neutral tones like beige or brown. For more options, think gladiator sandals or neutral ankle boots, often carrying buckles or fringe details.
Boho Accessories
Coming to bohemian accessories, we can, first of all, speak about pieces like fedora hats, turbans, headwraps and headbands, colorful scarves and vintage-style sunglasses, bracelets and other jewelry pieces that can become ideal finishing touches for your boho-chic looks! In addition, you can also opt for silver Mexican bracelets, Arabic finger rings, African necklaces, big pendants, etc.
Bold accessories will remain a staple in every fashion-forward woman’s wardrobe. Sorry, Boho Chic haters, belts and boots look like they have staying power along with pendants, over-sized earrings, long chains and drop earrings. They may be staying on the shelves, but stones, feathers, and shells that decorated the ears of spring and summer’s hottest fashionistas will be replaced by rhinestone-encrusted chandeliers and delicate drops. The long necklaces paired with the over-stated earrings will morph slightly from heavy, multi-layered, multi-stone piece to a simpler, chic, one-strand accessory. While the length and materials remain the same (gold still the winner), the detail will shift from Boho’s accessories to fall and winter’s fabrics.
Comfort, neutral colors and an easy feel are the main descriptive elements of the boho-chic style. Although the clothing pieces and the accessories take the center stage in such looks, it’s no less important to pay attention to your hair and makeup. Boho-chic style requires a minimal makeup look and easy out-of-bed hairstyles or ones featuring braids and relaxed top knots.
How to Go Boho In The Cold 2018 Weather
An idea persists among many ladies that boho is exclusively for the warm weather and when it gets colder, going boho is useless. Still, this is quite erroneous, because, in case of being styled correctly, boho style can, indeed, form some very comfy and cool looks for the fall/winter seasons too.
For instance, you can pick cotton, denim, or linen skirts in bright and saturated shades. Big prints and patterns and options like florals and ethnic-inspired variants are especially recommended.
Finally, you just need to combine this with the dark shade of the leggings and a monochrome jacket. In addition, you may use a minimalistically designed a white shirt for absolute perfection.
However, if you don’t feel like wearing skirts, you can go for skinny pants, adorned with some thematic design patterns or other types of accents matching them with voluminous and relaxed tops or some warm jackets taken with minimalistic forms.
Where to Wear Boho
There are a number of occasions, which are especially suitable for opting for boho. They go as follows!
Walks
Boho is simply perfect for walks with your family or friends since it’s comfy and cute at the same time, that is, the garments do not limit your movements and don’t act as factors for you to get tired quicker.
Workplace
Boho can easily be interpreted into classic looks as well, that’s why it is also recommended wearing boho to work, of course, taking into account the fact that the quantities of shiny details and the use of more muted shades are preferable.
Shopping
Another great idea is going boho for shopping. This is again explained by the fact of comfort prevailing in the boho style.
Home
Finally, you can also wear the boho trend at home, since this will become a universal and extremely suitable way of having chic looks everywhere including home!
Take boho as a lifestyle, wear it everywhere with everyone, be spontaneous, leave your problems behind and have fun!
Among the celebrities that love bohemian looks, we can note Kate Moss, who is considered to be the founder of this style, but also Siena Miller, the Olsen sisters, Kirsten Dunst, Nicole Richie, Mischa Barton, and Neve Campbell. There’s the thing about this kind of 2018 boho that’s not at all the 2002 Sienna Miller-type of boho. It’s hippie (in a way — long grass and flower chains existed on the prairie, after all) and uses prints that are all Coachella-approved, but there’s nothing overtly sexy about it. It’s boho in the way that is all about hard winters, salt pork, and studying grammar by the dim light of an oil lamp. Call me a masochist, but that’s the kind of boho I like. So look like a child of flowers, following the principles of the creation of these romantic and uber-charming looks! Get Inspired by my favorite ideas and let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
If you want to create an original boho chic outfit, then I highlty recommend to try ethnic style look. By the way, check out my post about women’s ethnic fashion essentials and accessories, there are cool inspiring ideas to copy. Anyway, here we see a stylish ethnic print black-white tunic teamed with ripped denim shorts and brimmed black hat:
Sources: FASHIONISERS.COM, REFINERY29.COM, TRENDWEAR4YOU.COM
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