Boho Fashion: Not as Simple as it Seems

When I started this adventure my fashion choices were dictated by my bohemian lifestyle. I didn’t realize at the time that there’s a few versions of bohemian fashion. There’s classic boho, boho chic, modern boho, tribal boho, gypsy boho, boho minimalist and vintage boho.

Boho Chic

Boho chic isn’t only carefree and eclectic, but it blends in with more formal styles. It also includes heavily inspired elements from the original boho style.

Starting with more tailored and classic silhouettes, this style includes neutral colors, opposing the original boho style. Nevertheless, earthy tones like ivory, brown, and beige reminds you of its origin.

High-quality pieces like blazers, cropped pants, and tailored dresses are pieces the boho chic style features on its own for a more sophisticated and elegant version of the boho style that still lets you express your individuality.

Boho Minimalist

The boho minimalist style is probably the furthest away from the original boho style. Clean lines and simple, classic silhouettes create a casual look.

High-quality materials and only subtle boho elements are key features of this style. The color palette is rather neutral with colors like white, black, beige, ivory, or gray. Patterns aren’t popular with this style.

The boho minimalist style includes versatile items to guarantee various combinations with a smaller number of garments. Timelessness and quality are key elements. Tailored pants, crisp white shirts, structured dresses, jumpsuits, and knitwear are common features. Slim-fit jeans, blazers, and linen shirts are also part of this particular style.

Classic Boho

The classic boho style sets the base for any other types of boho fashion. It features loose, flowing garments as well as natural fabrics like linen. This style draws attention from unique patterns like floral or paisley as well as earthy colors. An eclectic and free-minded lifestyle is something boho stands for, which also leaves you lots of space for individuality.

The classic boho style includes maxi dresses, boho skirts, wide-legged pants, hats, vests, shirts, and denim jackets. Clothing is often layered and there’s lots of matching accessories like bracelets, belts, and necklaces. For shoes, sandals, boots, clogs, or wedges are perfect.

Gypsy Boho

The gypsy boho style uses similar clothes and inspirations to the boho chic style. It draws influences from Romani people who are commonly referred to as “Gypsies” but in a much closer way than the boho chic style. The eclectic and free-spirited aesthetic remains but more exotic elements come to play.

Apart from the influence of the Romani people, other cultures like Eastern European and Indian cultures also influence the gypsy boho style. This results in a mixture of lifestyles but also a mixture of clothes.

Bold colors and extraordinary patterns are part of this style as well as traditional clothes of the influential cultures. Clothing includes maxi dresses, boho skirts, patterned shorts, and woven tops. The tribal influence and free-spirited bohemian flair include fringed shawls and ponchos, embellished jackets, flowing shirts, and blouses.

For accessories, bold jewelry, headbands, hats, and fringed bags are common. And for shoes, sandals, espadrilles, boots, and slip-ons.

Modern Boho

The modern boho style mixes classic boho with modern and trendy styles like urban or street. This fusion not only guarantees a trendy and contemporary look but also constantly changes the style and adds features to it.

Clean silhouettes and neutral colors are key elements and adds elegance and refinement. Modern patterns like geometric shapes and curves are common.

The modern boho style incorporates jumpsuits, blouses, maxi dresses, tailored jackets, A-line skirts, button-down shirts, sweaters, cardigans, printed shirts, and loose-fitted pants. Some of these clothes are inspired by the boho style. The vast majority though, especially sweaters and cardigans, add modern elements.

Tribal Boho

The tribal boho style is inspired by tribes and their cultures and clothing. The free-spirited, eclectic lifestyle meets a mixture of tribal cultures like Native American, South American, and Australian Aboriginals. This not only results in a mixture of lifestyles and mindsets but also a mixture of garments.

Since native tribes didn’t have modern technology, the fabrics and the colors are natural and include leather, linen, and cotton. Earthy tones like brown, ivory, and dark green and white are typical. Most garments are handcrafted and flowing, with ethnic-inspired patterns like geometric shapes.

Typical clothes are fringed vests, maxi dresses, long skirts, kimonos, and tops. For shoes, sandals, boots and loafers. Accessories with a tribal influence include bracelets and necklaces made of natural fabrics and elements, and oversized earrings and belts.

Vintage Boho

Vintage boho incorporates elements from the 1960s and 1970s, and has an eclectic and free-spirited look. This retro style incorporates different silhouettes and prints.

Bell-bottom pants, maxi dresses, and fringed vests with prints like paisley or floral are common. A mixture of high-fashion pieces paired with some vintage clothing from the hippie movement creates a great look.

Fabrics include crochet, lace, velvet. Items like vintage skirts, blouses, retro-inspired shirts, wide-leg pants, and graphic T-shirts are great choices for the vintage boho style.

Matching accessories, hats, vintage watches, sunglasses, belts, and jewelry are great choices. For shoes, choose boots, loafers, sandals, or Mary Janes.