A Definitive Guide for Wearing Boho Clothes

The word “Bohemian” was coined by the French in the 1700s as derogatory slang referring to gypsies and other vagabonds who rebelled against popular culture. The Bohemian culture focuses on freedom of expression, creativity and balking against the morals of conventional society. It emphasizes group togetherness, harmony and leading a life devoted to experiencing the world rather than chasing the almighty dollar. This philosophy is apparent in Bohemian style clothing, which reflects the early gypsies’ style of reusing scraps of old fabric to create new articles of clothing. Bohemian style is full of contrasting colors, patterns and textures and is basically an “anything goes” approach to fashion. Indeed, it invaded the runways during the 1960s and 1970s.

Today, Bohemian style clothing is more subdued. Instead of looking like they just stepped out of a psychedelic time machine, most boho chic babes use one or two elements of this groovy clothing style to flaunt their individuality and enhance their overall look. Boho clothes just got even better. Here is a definitive guide on how you can rock your boho look.

Bohemian Tops
Look for fun, flowy fabrics that drape around your body. Choose styles such as puff-sleeved peasant tops, long blouses with bell sleeves, tank tops that come down to your hips and tunics that can be worn as a top with pants or, for the evening, as a daring mini-dress.

Whether you have a tiny waist or a curvaceous silhouette, don’t let the billowy cuts of these clothes hide your body! Look for a Bohemian style shirt that ties in the back to accentuate your figure. You can also tie a belt over your tunic at the waist or just under the bust line. And if you’re going big and billowy on top, you will want to contrast with a snug fit on bottom. Pair these loose-fitting shirts with colored tights, slim pants or leggings so you don’t look like you’re wearing pajamas.

Bohemian Pants
True boho style pants include billowy gauchos, ultra-wide leg drawstring slacks and larger-than-life bellbottoms with patchwork flowers and swirls of psychedelic glitter up the legs. If you want a more modern take on the Bohemian pant, look for a style that emphasizes intricate details, such as buttons, fringe or elaborate stitching. You can also look for a boot-cut or skinny-leg pant in a pattern of long vertical stripes. Just try to find stripes that are in the same color family, such as all earth tones or all shades of lavender, so that you don’t end up looking like a circus clown.

Scour your local thrift stores for vintage styles as well. High-waisted pants, popular both in the 40s and the 70s, are making another comeback. Dig those faded, acid-wash jeans out of the back of your closet, if you can still find them. Military fatigues are a great Bohemian fashion statement as well, especially when paired with a feminine, lacy camisole. Patchwork pants are another fun fashion icon of Bohemian style clothing. You can find them everywhere from the J. Crew catalog (men’s madras) to independent clothing lines, like Peace by Piece (Peace-By-Piece.com).

Bohemian Skirts
Just call them the “anti-mini.” Bohemian style skirts are long and luxurious with a twirling, tiered style meant to bring out your inner gypsy. Look for skirts in rich fabrics, such as velvet and jacquard. Look for hand-stitched details such as crinkling or draping and jewels, sequins, tiny mirrors and other India-inspired designs. For maximum comfort, choose a style with an elastic or drawstring waistband. Look for a skirt that flares out at the bottom for a fit that swings as you move. Check out the skirts at ElegantVogue.com for more inspiration.

You can also show off your Bohemian style by layering your skirts as well. Use a extra short miniskirt as a fashion accessory by wearing it over a floor-length skirt, leggings or slim-fit pants for a boho-chic look.

Bohemian Dresses
Many Bohemian style dresses are floor-length and made out of a lightweight cotton or jersey floral print – in other words, a maxidress (which is the “it” dress to sport this summer). Smocking, patchwork and flapper-style dresses are other staples for the Bohemian style dress. The Free People clothing label has a wide variety of groovy dresses in many different cuts, colors and patterns.

There you have it, your guide on wearing boho clothes. Remember these tips, but more importantly, remember to just be yourself.

The Wonders of Boho Clothing

Boho clothing is a comfortable and romantic combination of vintage and modern styles, from flowy tops to colorful layers, chunky accessories to embroidered flourishes. It is considered as a reconstructed combination of hippie, gypsy and indie style.

The bohemian style brings to mind the bellbottoms, tie-dye, and patchwork, but there's much more to this fashion trend than that. Bohemian style impeccably mixes together the inspiration of the 1960s-flower-child with modern-day. Celebrities begun to wear it on red carpet on big occasions like Vanessa Hudgens, Sienna Miller, and the Olsen twins. Even Nicole Richie makes hippie chic work with maternity wear. If you want to go Boho, here are some tips on choosing the right Boho clothes for you.

Tops: Bohemian style tops/t-shirts/shirts can be of any length, there is no particular length. They can be knee-length or as short as you want them to go. They are characteristically loose, free-flowing tops that can be made to easily fit all body types. They are usually made of soft fabric, mostly cottons and linen, which makes them perfect for summer and can have bold, beautiful patterns of floral designs, tribal designs or designs that portray ancient Chinese history or Indian motifs. They often have puffed sleeves, or can also be off-shouldered, depending on your personal style.

Skirts: The true Bohemian look comes through in skirts. Usually the length of the skirts is long, till the ankles, in gypsy-like fashion. They are available with patchwork, mirror work, bold tribal and animal designs or multi-layered and multi colored and frilled styles. These skirts could also have some beautiful hand-made embroidery on them. Ethnic Boho skirts with ruffles and layers are an excellent choice for a Bohemian makeover.

Lowers: There are many different options besides skirts to cover the lower part of your body like leggings, bell bottoms, gauchos and Arabic style pajamas. These options won't look good on all body types, so if you are a little skeptical about wearing these lowers, then you could go for high waist boot cut jeans, bell bottoms and Arabic style pajamas or harem pants available in tribal patterns, floral designs or plain colors. Military fatigues are also a good option for a Bohemian look.

Footwear: Normally, in this style, the footwear is flat or with very little heels. They too can come decorated with colored mirror work and patchwork. Stilettos and high-heeled boots are a complete mismatch for a Bohemian look, so simply forget them!

Accessories: Accessories are a big part of the Bohemian get-up. The Bohemian look is incomplete without these. Long necklaces, large earrings, colorful and crazy bangles will all blend in really well with Bohemian clothes. Scarves and bandanas are some of the more common Boho accessories that don't only gel with the Bohemian style but with several others, too. Don't wear anything made from plastic or unnatural material. That's a complete NO-NO for the Bohemian look. Wear anything made out of wood, wool, metal, glass or stone. Opt for cloth bags rather than the leather or synthetic material variety. Glam your cloth bag with lots of mirror work, patchwork and beads.

And last but not the least; remember that the secret of boho clothing is to get layered! It makes perfect sense for it creates almost every bohemian clothing style possible. Keep that feminine, modern, free-spirited feel without sacrificing comfort. Go boho today!

How Boho Clothes Can Cover Flaws

Years, after years of fashion flubs and envy on those beautiful clothes worn by skinny models, I’ve discovered a boho trick or two for us plus sized women. Thank God for boho clothes because we can now where fashionable clothes while covering our flaws. Hey, if you’re a woman who has a perfect body, skip this part, but if you are a plus size like me, then here are some tips for you.

• Women who are top-heavy (big boobs and/or shoulders too large for one’s height) often look better with more volume below the waist. The right maxi or midi skirts (not too full, not too tight) will balance out a busty or triangular silhouette.

• Women who are bottom heavy can use these same hippie-style skirts to camouflage their big butts and huge hips. However, most pear-shaped women will need puffed-out sleeves or upper-body detailing to give their outfits the correct balance. Most of the time, a belt or nipped-in waist will make an outfit like this just right.

• Lightweight, loose, gauzy tops with interesting, but subtle, detailing can give you a sexy, veiled look. And, gauzy blouses or sheer unstructured “jackets,” worn over camisoles or sleeveless tops, will camouflage heavy arms or help balance out bottom-heavy silhouettes.

• A gauzy caftan or kimono (long or short) can be used in a similar way (to that above) by altering the look of a conventional, boring outfit, such as a black tank top with black trousers or a long, jersey, tee-shirt dress.

For centuries, Eastern European gypsy styles have been worn by everyday women. Now that we can construct these garments with stretchy fabrics, the range of fashion options has become immense, and I think designers are just starting to learn how to make flattering clothing that can be sold online with less fear of the obvious flaw of clothing ecommerce: the return factor. Garments that can be stretched, wrapped, layered, and pulled into some type of flattering outfit, which can mold or flatter most women’s shapes even plus sizes.

Skinny Girls Flaws

When I say boho clothes can cover your flow, I didn’t mean plus size girls only. I also mean those women who are too skinny. You don’t have to be curvy to like boho. With the right boho clothes skinny women can look flat and can give them a little curve. Maxi dresses are perfect for these. A short cago skirt can do wonders too paired with a kimono top.

Boho Clothing, Hair and Makeup

Bohemian or Boho refers to a counter-culture movement that started in Paris in the 19th century. It has come to define generations of outsiders and free spirits, with creative people flocking to this attitude of living and discarding materialism and other social shackles. The movement has also inspired the fashion industry, which has sought to capture the Bohemian look through designs and styles that are a mixture of hippie, gypsy and vintage fashion trends. Today we are going to discuss how you can achieve that look by discussing the basic tips for Boho clothing, hair and makeup.

Hair
1. Grow your hair out to shoulder-length or beyond. Having long, flowing hair is one signature of the Bohemian look. Long bangs also add to the look.
2. Use only a small amount of hair-gel or product when styling your hair; stick with natural colors and hairstyles that make it look as if you just rolled out of bed. Loose or tight-knit braids can help give hair a bit of flair while maintaining that Boho look; some Bohemian men and women even rock dreadlocks.
3. Accessorize your hair using natural materials or simple designs. A bandanna loosely tied around the head or even feathers knotted into hair works well with this style.
Makeup
1. Select and purchase makeup colors that complement your skin type. For eye shadow and eyeliner, buy natural earth tones like brown and black. Purchase light pink and other natural-looking red shades for lipstick and lip gloss.
2. Use very little makeup. The idea is to only complement your natural features; the makeup itself shouldn't draw any attention.
3. Apply black eyeliner only to the outer corners of your eyes, and consider adding flesh-colored eyeliner to your inner eye, which helps give a natural appearance and will make your eyes look larger.
Clothing
1. Wear shirts that are loose-fitting and patterned in solid earth-tones or natural prints such as floral designs.
2. Match your top with wide-legged pants. Wearing pants that look worn or tattered is a bonus when attempting a bohemian look.
3. Layer loose scarves and shoulder wraps. Exercise caution and add no more than two or three layers, as anything else tends to give a clunky, weighted-down appearance that is not really Bohemian.
4. Accessorize with long, droopy purses, dangling earrings and wrist filled with bracelets. Resembling a 19th century gypsy is a good thing when it comes to pulling off this style.

With the right boho clothing, hair and makeup you are on your way to achieve the boho look. But before you rock the outfit, look in the mirror after you've finished dressing to determine if you've pulled off the Bohemian style; if you look carefree and fresh, then you most likely have succeeded in attaining it. But if you don’t, better not to sport it all. Because boho is all about being comfortable and confidence with the boho clothes you wear.

Boho Clothing Will Remain Forever

Nowdays boho clothing are very in demand. I can see that this fashion trend will be in the mainstream for a very long time. There are so many reasons why bohemian chic will never die that I don’t know if I can fit them all into one short list. But, for you, I’ll give it a try. Read on and know why.

I’d like to give you fashion designers and professional buyers a few reasons why there will always be a diverse set of women who will would want a look that’s a bit different from the classical norm. And that’s boho. Here are some of the reasons:

• Some curvy women look better in loose, flowing apparel. And the boho world has definitely room for plus size women.

• Women find it easier to breathe and move in loose, flowing apparel and this seems to be more important as one gets older. Boho is being fashionable without sacrificing comfort.

• Many females find their bodies to be naturally suited to gypsy and ethnic styles rather than to tailored ensembles.

• Relaxed, abundant garments usually do not need as much alteration by tailors; therefore, bohemian styles can be less expensive from the customer’s point of view.

• It’s one hell of a lot of fun to mash together elements from more than one style or time period.

• Also, there is a very large contingent of baby boomer women who have fond memories of their carefree youth in the 60s and 70s.

So those are some of the reasons why women love boho clothing. As for me, I really love boho because loose, flow clothing can balance your body. I often wear long skirts because they give my German-peasant bone structure a more feminine and proportioned silhouette. If I wanted to buy a structured suit or dress, I’m afraid I would have to go to Hong Kong or London to have it custom made. I was not born with an “off the rack” body. And, I’m certainly not alone in this situation.

I have seen recent articles that proclaim boho clothing fashion to be back in style or that tell us how fashion houses and celebrities have rediscovered the wonder of boho chic. Well, I find that laughable. Because the Boho clothing style had never been gone. Many of us grew up and did our best to appear “normal” when it was to our advantage, I think we always were looking for something that gave us that little rush from discovering some unique or unconventional style of clothing that would turn us into magical, dramatic beings, unlike any other. So, I think that boho is here to stay, in one form or another, for the next hundred years.

Create Your Boho Fashion Look

Celebrity style like Nicole Richie and Mary Kate Olsen conjure up the idea of bohemian beauty. Their looks are laid-back and low-maintenance. The breezy fabrics and airy outfits are perfect for the warmer months. Find some low-key, eclectic styles for inspiration and indulge in boho style for the summer. Boho fashion is one of the fashion trends that never go out of line. This is mainly because being Boho allows you to be beautiful, fashionable functional and be yourself all at the same time. It’s all about expressing yourself. So creating your boho fashion look really depends on what you feel and like. But here are some of the boho items we recommend you to shop for.

Maxi-dresses - This trend can be found in every major department store and boutique in a variety of different styles and fabrics. The cooler cottons and gauzy polyester blends are perfect for keeping cool. Pair with flip flops or a cute pair of wedges and you have a ready-made look.

Head accessories - Whether it's a cool scarf, trendy headband or floppy hat, all of these accessories are easy to pull off and will also help keep the temps feeling a few degrees cooler. When wearing your favorite accessory, let it be the star of the outfit and keep the rest of the look simple. Pair with loose fit jeans and a white tank top or a pair of cutoff shorts and your favorite peasant blouse.

Airy blouses - Sheer, peasant blouses and open shoulder or open back shirts are a perfect trend this summer. The styles reflect the bohemian way of life of being "open and free." Pick your favorite bold color and pair with a broom skirt or a pair of silk shorts and t-strap sandals.

Of course, these three boho fashion items that we recommended are just the jumping off point for creating your own boho look. Consider these ideas and then put your own spin on them because remember, being Boho is being yourself. Bangles, feather earrings, or layered necklaces are accessories to have on hand to help complete your outfits. Keep your hair in beachy waves and your makeup sunkissed and glowing and you'll be off to good start. If you're looking to be a boho beauty, then these ideas might be just for you! And if you are looking for the best Boho clothing and accessories, I strongly recommend you check out Johnny Was. This is the brand chosen by celebrities and I am sure you will love this brand too.

My Boho Fashion Essentials For Summer

When summer comes, it only means one thing – It’s time for Boho fashion! I turn in my spring looks for a breezier, easier summer style that will keep me comfy and cool. The big glossies are packed with mouthwatering hot weather trends for office and resort alike. I am so ready to lose my long slacks, jackets, and sweaters, put on a bikini or cute little summer dress, and frolic somewhere warm with white sand beaches, turquoise-blue water, and a refreshing tropical drink with a little umbrella cocktail pick. My typical summer style is basic, casual, and comfortable. It also reflects my personality: a bit quirky, vintage, global. Here are my 7 must-have picks!
1. Bohemian Blouse: Every girl needs a stylish flowing cream or white top to throw over a bathing suit, or wear with a skirt or shorts. I love this cream-colored bohemian top for its fun details and draping sleeves that beckon a cool breeze.

2. Leather Sandals: Forget those six-inch heels! Summer was made for a fashionable pair of leather sandals. I love these thong sandals because this short girl needs a little heel, but also wants to walk along the Santa Monica Promenade and show off her summer pedicure.
3. Wide-Brimmed Hat: No matter where I go outdoors, I have to protect my skin against sun damage. I adore this floppy, wide-brimmed straw hat with leather detail because it not only has a practical use, but its neutral tones mean it will go with anything.

4. Floral Bikini: A girl needs at least one swimsuit that displays her personality. I love this girly bikini for its romantic rose details and retro styling on top.

5. Bohemian Leather Handbag: Out with the dark winter handbag and in with something light and playful! I like this bag’s intricate leather cutouts, displaying the mauve underneath.

6. Gypsy/Bohemian Indian Skirt: I love the intricate details on sari fabric. This light and affordable sari-inspired skirt is perfect paired with the cream blouse above and a few stylish accessories, and best of all, it’s a girly hot pink. What girl doesn’t love hot pink?
7. Tribal Topaz Dangling Earrings: Every summer, there’s always that one bracelet or pair of earrings I gravitate toward. This year, it’s going to be these stylish tribal topaz dangling earrings. They go with everything in my summer wardrobe.

What pieces are in your summer wardrobe, or on your wishlist? Are you also opting on the boho fashion? I bet you do! Because there’s nothing more summer than Boho.