If you have been paying attention to the latest fashion trends and runway collections of recent months, you will already know that retro-inspired flares, frills, and ruffles are ready and waiting to take over fall and winter fashion this season. These trends are best reflected in the classic Bohemian style collection.
Fashion is ultimately about self-expression. And there is no better time than the changing of the season to step outside your comfort zone and try something new. Explore the world of Johnny Was boho tops, ruffled skirts, flowing dresses, and fringed jackets. Who knows, you may fall in love with bohemian fashion all over again.
What is Boho Style?
Bohemian fashion gained rapid popularity during the mid-2000s, but the style first appeared in the fashion world at a much earlier stage.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, when the hippie counterculture was in full effect, a strong rejection of formal silhouettes led to flowing fabrics, earthy shades, loose-fitting shapes, and, of course, a healthy offering of fringing.
Like all fashion styles and trends, some key garments have since become synonymous with boho chic and continue to be must-have favorites that trend wearers return to season after season.
Style like a Pro
Whether you want to explore the stylish world of boho-chic or simply need a few ideas to refresh your wardrobe, there are a handful of essential pieces all bohemian babes need to have.
Elevated Denim
A fantastic and comfortable pair of jeans is a boho girl essential. But skip the straight-leg and fitted styles we all know and love and embrace the fit and flare of wide-leg silhouettes with studded accents and embellishments.
The beauty of wide-leg jeans is that they flatter all body shapes and heights, pairing perfectly with ruffle tops, flowing blouses, or the fringed suede waistcoat of your dreams. For warmer fall weather, finish off your look with chunky sandals or wedges, or slip on your best pair of boots to keep the colder temperatures at bay.
Effortless Dresses
An easy-to-slip-on dress is a boho essential. Ideal for wearing all year round, it is perfect for throwing on and heading out the door with minimal effort but maximum effect. Look for styles that combine beautiful billowing silhouettes with plenty of ruffles or fringe detailing throughout.
Stick to earthy, neutral tones like browns, deep reds, rich blues, forest greens, and monochromatic black and white. Don’t be afraid to explore patterned dresses or knitted and crocheted designs that ooze vintage chic.
The beauty of dresses is that they can be worn with sandals, heels, or boots and can be layered with denim jackets, suede or leather jackets, or a cozy winter coat, depending on the weather outside.
Crochet
Crocheted garments have long been a part of bohemian fashion. With their hypnotizing prints, creative color combinations, and grounded, homemade flair, these crafted creations resonated with the nature-loving hippies of the 1960s and 1970s, making them a popular and well-loved piece of the puzzle.
These days, you don’t need to rely solely on your skills to create the crocheted clothing of your dreams. Instead, designers like Johanna Ortiz will satisfy your boho needs with halterneck shirts with matching mini and midi skirts that can be layered with a structured denim jacket and simple sandals for an afternoon out with friends.
Embrace Fringe
Love it or hate it, no boho wardrobe is complete without fringe. But if the fear of looking more like a rodeo attendee instead of the bohemia goddess you envisioned keeps you from embracing it, you will be happy to know there are easy ways to ease yourself into the trend as you learn the best ways to incorporate it into your closet.
While the warmer fall days are still with us, layer a flowing, fringed caftan over your swimsuit for your last beach day or pool party with a western-inspired brimmed hat to keep the sun off your face.
Alternatively, pair your caftan with a simple white tank top, denim shorts or wide-leg jeans, and chunky sandals or boots for an effortlessly stylish look for a weekend of errands or a trip to your favorite Sunday market.
Soft Lace
There is something soft and delicate yet powerfully feminine about lace. It can instantly soften any outfit while adding the perfect touch of sexiness. You could take model inspiration from Bella Hadid and pair a flowy lace midi skirt with a flirty bustier, and strappy sandals for the ultimate warm-weather look.
Alternatively, you can ramp the flirty factor up tenfold by rocking a long-sleeved black lace mini-dress paired with knee-high suede boots in a matching shade. The play on proportions and contrast between the two garments is classic 2000s boho chic, while the modern shades keep the look updated and on-trend.
Runway Ready
After the autumn/winter 2024 fashion weeks and runway shows, it was safe to say that this noughties-favorite fashion trend was back. However, many fashion lovers were quick to notice that prominent designers were adding their twists to this classic style.
Nobody expressed it better than Chloé, where creative director Chemena Kamali made her debut with an absolute masterclass in bohemian beauty.
Ruffled lace blouses, silk chiffon maxi dresses, and fringed leather jackets donned the runways, showcased in a palette of ochre, sepia, and sugar-almond blush, a step away from the traditional color range. The collection represents a time in women’s fashion that champions natural femininity, which is sensual, effortlessly powerful, and free.
After all, boho style is less about the clothes themselves and more about the feeling you get while wearing them – a sense of poetry and freedom that is often lost in the world of sleek, structured fashion.
