A Hippie Girl's Guide to Bohemian Fashion

Bohemian fashion is more than a style; it’s also a culture. Although some people wear bohemian clothes for the flowy design or interesting p...

Bohemian fashion is more than a style; it’s also a culture. Although some people wear bohemian clothes for the flowy design or interesting patterns, many choose it to express a feeling of counter-culture, free love, and support for the arts. If you want to expand your wardrobe to include some cute boho clothes, you’ll also want to read up on the fashion history, what colors are common, and how to create the perfect wardrobe.

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What Is Bohemian Fashion?

Bohemian fashion uses retro patterns, natural fabrics, and warm colors to create a hippie look that’s often associated with the 60s and 70s free love movement. Most of the clothes fit loosely, with flowy shirts and loose-fitting pants as staples. The accessories, including big earrings and fringe-covered bags, complete a bohemian look.

A Quick History

Although many people think of the 60s and 70s as the start of the bohemian/hippie fashion style, it dates back to 18th-century France. After the French Revolution, poverty was widespread, especially among artists. Instead of wearing elaborate, expensive clothing, artists started patching, darning, and fixing their old clothes to make them last longer.

Even after the economy improved, many artists continued expressing themselves through their clothes, wearing eccentric and unique combinations of colors, designs, and styles. Many French thought their clothing was uncouth and started calling them bohémien, an old French term for the Roma people.

Over 200 years later, the American Beatnik and, later, free love and hippie movements, discovered the Bohemian style, making it their own with flowers, peace signs, and fringe, all of it the polar opposite of the mainstream sleek silhouettes.

Color Options

Boho-style is a stunning mix of neutral hues like tan, beige, and white, with more vibrant shades like crimson, emerald, violet, and blue. You should include a mix of warm and cold hues, and don’t be afraid to try matching colors that traditionally clash like pink and red. For a more understated boho look, opt for a few neutral staples like a white peasant top or tan suede skirt to anchor outlandish pieces.

Patterns and Textures to Look For

Bohemian style is all about print and pattern, so make sure you have a variety in your closet. Look for paisley, tribal, lattice, floral, and trellis prints. Many bohemian clothes also come in various fabrics, including lace, denim, leather, suede, crochet, and rattan.

Typical embellishments include fringe, metal studs, cloth tassels, pom-poms, intricate embroidery, and appliques made of gems and sequins. You’ll also want to include clothes with a variety of techniques, including macrame, patchwork, tie-dye, and distressed.

Loose-Fitting Dresses

Look for loose-fitting A-line cut dresses, usually with lace and three-quarter or half-length sleeves. Patterns are fantastic on dresses. Look for ones that play with mixing prints. Many Bohemian dresses also have an off-the-shoulder design, with extensive embroidery on the neckline. Choose several dresses in different colors, with one or two more casual, and some with more elegant or extravagant designs.

If you prefer trousers, add one or two jumpsuits to your closet. Whether they’re comfy clothes for the home office or a bright, multi-colored print for everyday wear, a jumpsuit is a must-have for modern hippie girls.

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The Ideal Tops

Most boho shirts are flowy. Try to have a combination of tunic tops, tank tops, t-shirts, and sweaters and cardigans. You can create variety by having different prints, colors, and shirt necklines. Make sure you have at least one off-the-shoulder top and a mix of trumpet and bell-style sleeves.

To add texture, look for shirts with pom-poms, fringe, or beautiful embroidery. Bohemian fashion looks tend to include a lot of neck embroidery designs and that is the feel and essence of any free-spirited and boho design. Comfy, oversized sweaters or cardigans are necessary for cooler evenings and the winter months. Choose one without a print in an earth tone to ensure it matches all your outfits so that you can stay warm every day.

Bottoms Accentuate Your Waist and Hips

While the tops are flowy, the bottoms help create a flared silhouette, hugging a little more at the waist and hips and flaring out toward the bottom. Although some hippies wear bell-bottom jeans, many choose a softer fabric for their bottoms, whether for pants or skirts.

Bottoms are less likely to have as much fringe as the tops but often offer interesting patterns or prints instead. You’ll want to have several pairs of pants, one or two maxi or midi skirts, and a few pairs of shorts for the summer months. Make sure some are calmer patterns to match your bold shirts while also having a few statement pieces.

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Accessories Complete Your Ensemble

Accessories help bring an outfit together. You can accessorize your outfit with chunky turquoise jewelry, a bag featuring fringe, beadwork, and prints, and a large scarf with an ethnic pattern. To keep your hair stylishly out of your eyes, choose a boho bandeau from your collection. Stock up on different colors and patterns, so your bandeau matches the rest of your outfit. For your bag, you can choose from a fabric drawstring bag or a big zip canvas tote bag. If your outfit doesn’t match turquoise jewelry, add a few silver antique pieces and some long silver necklaces.

Shoes Are Groovy

For many women, the most important part of an outfit is their shoes. To have the perfect footwear for your bohemian closet, choose sandals, low booties, and clogs with chunky heels in earth tones. For your sandals, look for a pair in the gladiator style, both for comfort and appearance.

Booties with a low heel and some embroidery or beadwork work for spring, fall, and winter. You might want to get a lace-up pair in brown and black. For nicer evenings, your clogs or chunky-heeled sandals can spruce up your jumpsuit or dress. You can also add a pair of cowboy boots if you like, pairing them with your skirts or boho pants.

Create Your Boho Closet

Boho style is individual and expressive. It allows for clashing patterns and prints, bold color choices, and stunning textures and details. Once you have selected a few key pieces for your boho wardrobe, experiment by slowly incorporating them into your outfits. Pairing a flowing boho top in a statement print with skinny jeans and sneakers can be a great way to start and gives your bohemian look a modern twist.