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.