What’s Boho Aesthetic About and How to Achieve It

Are you tired of normcore? Would you like to express your inner designer a bit more and get out of your comfort zone a bit in terms of fashion choices? Then give boho a chance. Given how eclectic and self-expression-focused it is, your chances of making a fashion faux pas due to lack of experience are close to zero.

 

What’s Boho Style

First, a small reference point. Have you ever seen a psychic medium? If not, consider having a psychic reading online—it’s a great way to learn about your future, improve your love life, or simply have someone listen to you with empathy and support. And it’s much more convenient than a traditional in-person session.

But if you have, especially if they were a conventionally-looking psychic (which is no longer all that common), you probably have a general idea of what boho style looks like. Think long, loose layered garments that are seemingly mismatched but follow a distinct and recognizable aesthetic. A lot of patterns clashing, large accessories, I just rolled out of bed hairstyles, you name it.

These are some of the key visual characteristics of boho—short for bohemian—a design and clothing style that dates back many decades but has changed over time and has been everywhere for the past couple of years. Boho lives up to its name perfectly. It’s exactly the type of look you expect a Brooklyn artist or a psychic reader to have.

 

The Origins of Boho

There are two main viewpoints on when exactly boho originated. Some trace it back to the end of the 18th century, when it became popular among the French elites to support the arts. Supposedly, the noble and wealthy who wanted everyone to know they were not like other noble and wealthy dressed as if they themselves were among the starving artists. Hence the eclectic, grandma’s closet vibe boho is known for.

However, the more believable and far better-evidenced view is that the roots of boho are in the 1960s, more specifically, in the aesthetics of hippies and other counterculture movements of that era. Indeed, if you look at the pictures from the legendary Woodstock, some of the fits are exactly like what people wear at Coachella these days.

 

Self-Expression, Eclecticism, Comfort—The Pillars of Boho Philosophy

The reason why some of the best mediums, as well as artists, appreciate boho is that it emphasizes self-expression. There are no rules for creatives—they get to wear whatever they want, regardless of the occasion, and be perceived as trendsetters as opposed to inappropriately dressed random visitors. So unsurprisingly, unconstrained self-expression is at the core of boho.

Eclecticism is another pillar of boho. As you can see from designers’ boho collections of recent years (for example, Simone Rocha’s or Chloé’s Spring/Summer 2022 collections), boho can make almost everything work. Feminine grunge, patchwork, crochet, cowboy core, flower child aesthetic—all of these and many more coexist comfortably within boho.

Finally, boho embraces comfort. As eclectic as boho is, it will never accommodate such items as stilettos or a bodycon dress without them seeming out of place. Long and air boho garments are meant to make the wearer feel free and ready for any adventure. Things are a bit different for the elevated version of boho, boho chic, but that’s a story for another time.

 

Signature Elements of Boho Style

We’ve already mentioned some of the boho’s trademark elements, such as long loose dresses and somewhat arts-and-crafts-y accessories. But if you’d like to look like you’re running for psychic readings near me and need more ideas for boho outfits, here are a few:

 — Natural fabrics and materials. Boho maintains its connection with 1960s fashion, so it’s all about nature and sustainability. Linen, hemp, seaweed and wooden accessories—if it screams organic, it’s very boho. Thrifting also aligns with the boho philosophy and style.

 — Flower prints paired with different textures. Here comes the flower-child side of the boho aesthetic. But to look stylish, make sure to match flower prints with things like lace, croche, leather (thrifted, obviously), and jeans. Adding other eye-catching prints here and there—say, abstract or animal ones—also works.

 — Zero-effort hair and makeup. Everyone knows that the attractive and seemingly effortless I woke up this way hair actually takes a lot of effort. But make sure that it isn’t showing. Nothing destroys a good boho look more than a perfectly slick ponytail with a lot of product or heavy evening makeup.

 

When Is Boho Appropriate?

Given how relaxed and accepting today’s fashion is, the answer is almost always. Sure, if you’re interviewing for a corporate job at a very old-school company, boho might not be the best choice. Another exception will probably be a funeral. Otherwise, boho or, when necessary, its fancier sister, boho chic, can be worn anywhere.