Boho always seems casual and often sloppy to me. I can’t do it.

Angie: Do you think wearing specs has something to do with your un-bohoness? I wear them also-kind of like yours in a strong and modern style. I just don’t feel like they mesh well at all with the Boho look. I like this look and would probably do some interpretation of it from time to time if it weren’t for this. What do you think?

I am not a big fan of this style either, although there is an occasional item that I am attracted too, like the blue top in the top right row. But I would wear it exactly as you describe it , everything else in the outfit would be non-bohemian.

I do admire it in others when it is obvious that it suits their personality, it is just not right for me.

I find myself attracted to the boho items but I must restrain myself because they are not flattering on me, and as Lisa says, I find the look rather sloppy. Plus I live in a college town where there are plenty of real hippies and hippie looking students floating around. Maybe there is something to the glasses thing (I wear glasses too and mine are modern). But boho looked just as crappy on me when I wore contacts. I am a curvy hourglass so flowy just adds more volume.

I do have a beaded necklace from years ago that I am going to try to incorporate with one of my simple modern outfits.

Ladies, I hear you. Bohemian inspired items are not my aesthetic preference either, but the style does not need to look sloppy. It’s just for the most part really casual, and casual can totally be stylish.

Also, there is no need to wear boho from top to bottom. You can add subtle bohemian elements to an outfit and it *can* look amazing. You can absolutely achieve modern style by adding a silky, boho-inspired top to an urban looking outfit.

Lisa, I don’t think that wearing glasses has anything to do with being boho or not. I have boho friends and clients who wear boho specs! My specs happen to be either modern or retro just because that’s what I prefer. But if I was a boho girl at heart, I’d have boho specs :0)

I like the boho look and will occasionally lean in that direction. Mainly, though, I like to incorporate the pieces into my standard wardrobe, much in the way you mentioned. I’m particularly fond of using tops, jewelry, and bags in this way. Occasionally I’ll use two boho pieces at once, but often just one.

The tops are a fun, flattering, and oh-so comfortable alternative to more fitted pieces, but still look pulled-together if you wear them with tailored pieces. Excellent for spring and summer especially!

I can appreciate the look, but it isn’t “me”. I see the look here frequently, and I might opt for a top or something once in awhile, but not as a head to toe look.

My look would be a bit of Electric Boho… since I’m not so keen on faded colours.

(Here as in Texas.)

Also, I think there is a wide variation from casual to dressy within the boho realm. The top options in the first row could be smart casual to dressy depending on how you wear them – particularly the blue one on the far right. In fact, I’ve seen many classy cocktail combos with a slim black or white dress pant and flowy, silky top. Very classy.

The top options in the second row are much more casual and, in my opinion, much less appealing. They look sloppy – ok for camping or a summer day in the backyard, but not much else. I think it has to do with the combo of colours, cuts, and fabrics.

The jewelry and bags can go either way, depending on how you wear them.

The only thing I really love about boho is the colour scheme- all those browns and greens are right up my alley. Generally, though, I prefer to stick to more modern styles, because boho doesn’t really suit my personality.

I do have a few boho pieces that I love, including a vintage Nina Ricci tiered skirt from the 70’s. Also, I consider my new brown gladiators with gold studs to be very boho, but I wear them in a more urban way.

I love the flowy tops and patterns (helps my mid-section)- but I make sure to wear fitted bottoms with it!

I’ve always been drawn to this look but feel it looks messy on me. I may add ethnic-looking pieces of jewelry or an ethnic print and prefer black with reds, blue, turquoise, etc. as you find in Guatamalan weaving, to browns. In my search for elbow-length summer tops I recently bought a blues on cream peasant blouse at the Lucky store. I often buy scarves at Ten Thousand Villages. I like your idea of using silky fabrics for a more polished look.
Thank you for this guide for adding elements of the look.

I agree with Ellen and Ele and Angie on incorporating elements of Boho into a more modern look. Any type of slouchy hobo bag, gladiator sandal, or even the unconstructed knit tops that are so popular now are at it’s roots Boho yet most wearers wouldn’t describe themselves as Boho.

As a carryover from my college days (I went to a very hippie school and my share of Grateful Dead shows) I am attracted to certain elements – texture and embroidery on garments, the flowy sleeve (not too much but a modified bat wing is perfection), a boot cut jean over a Frye boot, a wooden bead or pretty stone necklace.

But I only work one element at a time into my wardrobe now – more casual elements on days off and maybe just the stone necklace on workdays.

I’m always a bit surprised to hear people on the forum describe my style as boho because it is not a look I actively try to capture, nor is it a word I would use to describe my personal style. For the most part, I like bright and bold colors, high contrast, geometric patterns, and structured silhouettes. Like many others have mentioned, I prefer to incorporate a few boho pieces with more modern looks, but I don’t think I ever really dress head-to-toe boho. I have a fondness for “boho” jewelry and accessories and I also have a small amount of clothing items because I find the flowy and light qualities to be very suitable for summer. Once winter begins, however, they are gone.

I would think these examples do more to counter the idea that boho is sloppy though. The silhouettes from the top row are very flattering, particularly the blue top. The crochet vest might not be everyone’s taste, but I do not find that sloppy. The middle picture is where things plummet. I generally find Free People to be outlandish and over the top and I knew that picture was from FP the moment I saw it. That store is a good example of what happens when one does too much boho all at once. I think Anthropologie gets it right. I find the boho quality at Anthro to be much more subtle and accessible.

I love it! I especially love the handbags you’ve got pictured here. I don’t think I’ll be wearing a head band any time soon.

Here’s a trick question you…how would you dress up or tailor the boho look so that it could work for an office?

I admire this style on others – Kate Hudson and Julia Roberts come to mind.

I surprised myself by buying a boho-style tunic this spring, with a wide, woven brown leather belt that is hip-slung, and I really really enjoy it. The trick was to find boho style in my colors, so it when I saw a tunic in blues and greens and cool reds, I grabbed it!

I have always had an earthy boho edge to my style but also like a modern urban look. I love the textures of boho and the look is so comfortable and appropriate for my lifestyle. I do not like the stereotypical artist hand painted clothing and carved wooden animal jewelry. I love mixing it up and I would say that the colors and matte, distressed textures are what I am most attracted too. I have embraced the style more since joining the community of YLF, noticing that it does suit me as long as I mix it up with other items. I am excited that there will be more options and think that it never really goes out.

I am among those who don’t particularly embrace boho. There was a brief period where I kind of loved it, but ultimately it’s just not for me. It can be really pretty on other people though!

I actually really like this sort of post. Would you be willing to do it with other style archetypes?

I love boho style when it is not overdone in one outfit. I would be a good candidate for adding a tounch of boho rather than going all out. I guess it takes me back to my roots and just seems right. I am learning to branch out but don’t want to ever leave the look totally behind.

In looking at the pictures again, it is the textures that I really love with this style.

I’m very happy to have stumbled across this blog! Will definitely add it to my daily rotation. I love the boho look on some people, like Kate Hudson & maybe Sienna Miller … but it just doesn’t suit my life or personal style. Occasionally I might work in a dress with a *slight* boho feel and some earthy sandals, but that’s the closest I come to boho. That, and maybe buying jeans from Lucky.

I do think the headbands look absolutely ridiculous though. Sorry Nicole Richie.

Not my style either, but I too admire women who can pull it off. Especially understated, urban boho.

I have a fondness for the boho/boho chic style. Although I have a half a dozen pieces in my wardrobe that might very heartily lend the,selves to being “boho” I am still learning to put them together or with other urban styles in a way that is flattering to/on me. For instance, I love the red bag As with any other style, the ultimate effect depends on who is wearing it and how, I suppose.

As a mother of three I’ve spent too much time in maternity tops to ever want to wear them again. I bought a patterned top shaped much like the blue top you picture and when I wear it, though I know it’s stylish, I’m just expecting someone to ask me when I’m due. (And I bought this top to wear to my husband’s band’s gigs at bars, so I’m usually having a drink….)

I think it’s just not my style.

By the way, I live in Berkeley, so boho is, was, and will always be “in” around here.

Also un-boho here,…however I love the look on others who can pull it off .Kate Hudson is a master at this, looking casual , yet pulled together. The “I just threw this on” and still look fab.!

I don’t think the tops pictured here are necessarily the best examples of how polished and beautiful ‘boho’ pieces can be… spend a little while browsing anthropologie’s website or stores (I’m glad Angie mentioned it, it is one of my all time favorite stores!) and you’ll see pieces and styling options that range from super casual to very glamorous, but almost always with a bohemian, artsy vibe…

Boho look can be great when it is done right. This is coming from a girl with style idols like audrey hepburn and grace kelly…

I own a few boho inspired shirts, but they all have a very structured fit with boho details on the neck and collars. I use long boho skirts and dresses for beach vacations. It is so easy to pull on my swimsuit and go to lunch with enough sun coverage that still lets the air flow.

That said, I wonder we short haired gals can give the look its worth?

I appreciate this look on others, but don’t gravitate towards it myself. In fact I’m a little frustrated at the moment because I’m looking for tunics and all I see are boho patterns. I love patterns, but the ones I see don’t appeal to me very much.

I do have a lot of boho style jewelery (wood, beads, seeds) that I sometimes wear when it gets really hot. All are gifts, so I hang on to them for sentimental reasons.

As much as I love to look through the Anthropologie catalogs, I can never see myself wearing a boho outfit from head to toe. It’s not me, but sometimes I do like to add a detail inspired by boho style.

I love the boho look but I work it more in a chic matter. if i wear a boho piece i always pair it with something more structure. I am looking for peasant tops
to wear with my bermuda shorts and gladitors. I think Jessica of What I Wore does boho the best. She keeps it modern and clean.

I love the accessories, but the lack of structure in the clothing i think is unflattering on most women.

Kate Hudson, Nicole Richie, Rachel Zoe, Julia Roberts and Sienna Miller spring to mind when I think of boho celebrity style.

I’d also like to differentiate between voluminous trends and bohemian trends. Bohemian tops are usually voluminous or empire cut, but the voluminous trend does not have to be boho. I wear voluminous tops, but they are not bohemian. I hope that makes sense.

It’s all in the fabrication if you’re after a more polished boho look. Opt for silk instead of cotton tops in cleaner colours. My examples are super casual, although the smocked blouse could look sassy and urban with white jeans and metallic flats. As always, the devil is in the detail.

If boho is not your thing, stock up now. This trend will probably be big next year. Guess that means more shopping for me this season.

I will wear boho pieces occasionally, but would never go for a complete boho outfit. It would make me feel like I’m in costume instead of dressed as myself. My favorite part of this look are the accessories, especially unusual jewelry in earthy colors made of polished wood or stone. I like that red handbag in the photo too.

I do like boho style and have some items that could be considered boho, but I make them my style. I may add a belt or heels, whatever I need to fit me. I really like flowy dresses and tops.

[...] violet flats by Sam Edelman are the definition of bohemian style. The bright violet of the rule-breaking and modern snakeskin is decorated with embroidery in every [...]

[...] will work well if you have an earthy, bohemian and informal edge to your style. That’s not my look, which is why they’re not for me. Plus, [...]