A guide to boho clothing is less top-to-toe now than it has been in previous incarnations of the trend. “Boho chic” first came to be defined in 2002, when Australian journalist Laura Demasi coined the term to describe the eclectic and ethnic-inspired gypsy fashion of the time — a loose and flowing descendent of prairie-style codes. Since then fashion’s love affair with boho fashion (both feminine and yet also practical) certainly hasn’t waned, though it has evolved.
Today designers remain charmed by the romance of bohemian clothing. Harking back to heroines of almost mythic strength, the aesthetic has a free-spirited air that’s still unquestionably relevant to fashion’s high-low fascination. The question of how to wear boho clothing now, however, is far more nuanced than it has ever been before. The Valentino SS16 collection, for example, was all about merging ethnic details with contemporary cuts. So the look is now less literal, more refined and all the sexier for it — something that can be recreated with a few key styling tricks.
Hone your point of focus
Boho fashion comprises many contrasting elements, from a rich mix of textures, to clashing colours and varied proportions. Head-to-toe lace, suede or fringe can give the impression of having just returned from Coachella, but focusing on one core element offers a more modern sophistication for day-to-day dressing. Mixing romantic florals or gingham with tailored denim, for example, offsets the look for contemporary appeal.
Consider the measured approach of style icon Alexa Chung: floaty fabrics here and worn-in denim there. It is an approach bold and yet restrained in just the right ratio. Pulling this look together with balanced consideration is a matter of highlighting a particular fabric, garment or accessory and then streamlining the outfit's remaining elements.
Look to designers like Clare Waight Keller at Chloé for a guide to boho clothing that’s impeccably balanced. Illustrating the most modern way to work a white cotton lace dress now, Waight Keller tends to keep models' hair and makeup neat and natural on the runway. Jewellery is kept to a bare minimum too, but a single, slim gold bangle can add the right measure of sophistication.
Elevate the look with quality fabrics
Boho style offers liberation — a chance to embrace the unconventional and dress with free-spirited individuality, and comfort (how refreshing). However, it pays to remember the “chic” in boho chic, otherwise there is a chance of being misguided by a sense of joyous abandon and thus unwittingly become a personification of the term’s definition (bo: short for bohemian; ho: short for homeless). This is where fabric choice is key. Natural fibres like luxurious silk or crisp cotton can add a subtlety and sophistication that is less bag lady and more urban contemporary. Kate Moss captures the requisite refined approach. The model will opt for quality knitwear, in a nod to 1970s Missoni, blouses in the finest printed silk, such as those from Equipment, or fringed suede pared back with fitted denim.
When building your wardrobe of boho style, choosing quality fabrics like linen, suede and cotton ensures that the look remains polished despite its eclecticism. This studied balance can also be struck through natural tones like white, beige or tans. Valentino captures this luxurious take on boho style flawlessly, employing elegant embellishment and refined fringing in the most sumptuous of suedes. The ethnic influences behind the brand’s SS16 collection were evident in both print and design, but the silhouettes themselves were more structured this time around.
Lean into the sex appeal
Designers from Erdem to Simone Rocha have injected a sensual appeal into boho fashion through incorporating sheer panels and unexpected cutouts into their designs. This approach was subtler than just a Bollywood-style midriff, though. A demure high neck, for instance, can be surprisingly sexy when offset with shorter hemlines or diaphanous materials (tie-dyed, see-through silk tops from Raquel Allegra could be a focus piece for a boho ensemble).
A guide to boho clothing now is less literal than in previous seasons. It's not a direct riff on the 70s, but instead a strategic borrowing of specific aspects thereof. This is what allows for a sexier incarnation of the style — one that's less decorative and more intuitive. Erin Wasson proves the power of a boho-style suede boot and shearling collar with a plunging neckline, for example, while designers like Anine Bing increasingly celebrate the virtue of restraint by employing streamlined designs that highlight one key element of bohemia such as embroidery or a lace-up detail.
To embrace this sexier side of boho fashion, celebrities such as Miranda Kerr make a case for alternating floaty fabrics with form-fitting pieces. A sheer printed maxi skirt with fitted tank, for example, or an embroidered dress featuring a low v-neckline to show a little skin. The best thing about bohemian clothing is that it’s all about being comfortable, and nothing could lend more sex appeal than the confidence afforded by comfort.