From the red carpet to the street style revival, boho chic is back — or rather, never left.
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Boho, or bohemian chic, has been a recurring fashion and decor trend since the 1970s when it came on in full force following Woodstock and the psychedelic movement. From Ali MacGraw in the 1970s to Beyoncé today, the look has been worn by nearly everyone. Centered around earthy tones and designs inspired by nature, there’s every reason to want to achieve the look with nature in mind.
Marked by flowy skirts and dresses, floral and nature prints, macramé, patchwork, loose and fitted denim, satchel bags, totes, big sunglasses, statement jewelry, and floppy hats, the boho look is unmistakable, even with so many variations.
Vogue recently captured boho looks on the streets of New York, Paris, and Milan and there’s no shortage of style inspiration — from silky loose blouses to fringe and patchwork.
“For me, boho is about a woman who travels and picks things up along the way, mixing and matching,” designer Isabel Marant told Bazaar. “Kate Moss is a great example. When she puts things together in her own way, it’s about freedom. I do feel like, at the time, I was a leader in this kind of movement. It’s how I’ve always dressed myself.”
But, with so many variations and interpretations, deciding where to start can feel overwhelming. What does it take to add bohemian style to your wardrobe and into your life? And how best to do it with the smallest impact? Let’s show you some methods.
How to get the boho chic look sustainably
For starters, it’s always a good idea to see what other people are doing. If you are looking for celebrity inspiration, there’s a wide variety of style icons out there that have used bohemian wardrobes. For example, Kate Moss, and 1960s actress Ali McGraw helped define the trend.
And with boho in some form or another always on trend, it can help with your sustainable fashion goals, too, since you’ll wear your boho statement pieces frequently. Find pieces you know you’ll wear and make sure to take care of them by properly washing and mending or repairing them as needed to extend the life of your boho style.
Boho chic style essentials
Start your boho journey by adding floral and nature-inspired prints that are typical of the bohemian style. And we’ve got more boho-style inspo to help you get the look sustainably, too.
Accessories
Accessories are always an easy way to turn up the boho look of an outfit. You could incorporate oversized eco sunglasses or sustainable jewelry, and it can easily revamp your style, especially if you’re not looking to completely overhaul your wardrobe and just have a touch of bohemian accents. There are always accessories that can make a difference.
SALVATORE FERRAGAMO
Oversized Sunglasses
Flowy dresses
Make your boho style effortless with a flowy dress, skirt or pants. In the summer, try them with strappy sandals, and in cooler months, go with clogs, mules, or boots. If you need to layer, you can add a chunky cardigan or the critical statement jacket. Take style cues from late-era Beatles, where layering reigned supreme during the Get Back recordings. Beatles’ offspring and sustainable style guru Stella McCartney recreated many of the band’s timeless looks, too.
ULLA JOHNSON
Flowy Dress
Statement jackets, vests, and sweaters
The boho statement jacket can be long, loose, and flowing or cropped and fitted. There’s patchwork, embroidery, and of course, fringe. Secondhand shops are some of the best places to find statement jackets, sweaters, and even vests. Pair them with denim, skirts, or dresses, and accessorize with scarves and jewelry.
STELLA MCCARTNEY
Fringe Alter Mat Jacket
Vintage T-shirts
If you don’t want to completely revamp your wardrobe and you just want to add little boho touches, a great way to give a little nod is just to wear vintage t-shirts. Shop secondhand stores to find soft, worn vintage rock, tie-dye, and slogan tees — or, better yet, raid your parents’ closets for hidden gems! You can mix and match your t-shirt with ankle boots and jeans for a fantastic boho makeover that is a nod to yesteryear. Layer them over skirts or underneath statement jackets for a truly unmistakable 1970s-inspired look.
VESTIAIRE COLLECTIVE
Vintage T-Shirts
Boots
If you are looking for the perfect boho companion piece, you have to go for boots. Ankle boots can work with everything from skirts to denim to dresses, but knee-high boots are also just as effective. Look for sustainably made boots that rely on ethical materials such as mushroom or cactus leather or recycled materials.
STELLA MCCARTNEY
Spur Ankle Boots
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