Boho dominated the fashion scene in the mid-2000s, with everyone rocking natural patterns and earthy fabrics in pieces like women’s plus-size boho dresses, with their headbands, fringe bags, and ankle boots. Today, the trend has faded into a more minimal version: the boho chic. This style still follows the same principles, but it’s more curated, with pieces cohesively put together. For example, a typical Bohemian outfit would see a boho dress paired with a loud scarf, an oversized knit cardigan, fun ankle boots, and layers of accessories. In boho chic, however, the boho dress may be paired with more muted colors and accessories, though still embodying the free-spirited nature of boho.
What is Boho?
“Boho,” short for Bohemian, is a fashion known to be inspired by the hippie movement. The style dates back to the ideas and look of the French “bohemian revolution”, with its roots being even further traced to the Romani people; though most people today associate it with the dresses of the 1960s and 1970s.
Boho is characterized by a lot of flowy, tiered, and loose clothing in funky patterns, ethnic fabrics, embroidery, embellishments, and fringes, as well as sandals, ankle boots, hats, and a lot of jewelry. The style is fun and colorful, with clothes and accessories paired with and layered onto each other for a free-spirited look.
Boho Chic vs. Boho
Boho really took the stage in the mid-2000s with the likes of Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, and the Olsen twins being icons of the style. It has taken a step back in recent years, but the fashion is still alive— evolving into today’s “boho chic.” But what’s the difference between boho chic vs. Bohemian?
Boho chic is like a muted, more sophisticated sister of the original Bohemian. With boho chic, boho elements are worked into more current trends, making it more sleek, modern, and curated.
How to Dress in Boho Chic
Ready to get into that boho chic lifestyle? Here are some tips to get it right.
Think Flowy
Boho chic is all about flowy pieces and oversized clothes. You want your outfit waving in the wind, making you look taken straight out of a fairytale. That said, there’s a thin line between flowy and baggy. If something too big or too loose becomes unflattering, consider pairing it with another piece that follows your form better, or cinching the clothing with an accessory. For example, pair some flare pants with a tight top or cinch a boho dress with a pretty belt.
Explore Patterns and Fabrics
Although boho chic is more muted, it doesn’t mean that you have to give up all the fun patterns and fabrics from the original Bohemian style. Play around with fun colors and prints and incorporate different fabrics into your outfit to keep it in theme. You don’t have to go overboard; just one to two pieces to tie your look together will do wonders!
Dress in Layers
When it comes to boho chic, dressing in layers doesn’t mean putting on padding as you would in cold weather. It means layering on different pieces, usually accessories like jewelry, bags, and hats, in a way that complements the whole look and puts it together as one cohesive outfit.
Mix and Match
Don’t be afraid to mix and match stuff that is worlds away in style. Pair that floral dress with that fringed jacket and that leather bag. Match your loudly patterned scarf with dainty jewelry. What might seem like a weird combo might just be a match-made-in-heaven when you look at it in the mirror.
Accessorize
If you don’t have a lot of clothing to work with, jazz up your boho chic outfit with pretty accessories. Your boho dress will go a long way with the right headwear, jewelry, bag, and sandals or boots.
Boho Chic Is All About Feeling Good
Boho chic is all about embodying elements of freedom, beauty, and peace. That means that whatever you wear, you have to feel good in it for the outfit to actually be considered boho chic. Find some basic boho chic wear from Insyze to complete your wardrobe, and start your next fashion journey from there!