Is romantic style an off shoot of boho?

On a recent holiday, the family visited the beautiful Mondrago National Park, the sea is the most beautiful azure, the hills are emerald and expensive yachts bob up and down on the horizon. On the beach an exquisite silver haired lady paraded up and down the sand selling her beachwear, I rifled through the layers of sequined cotton and stopped as my hand touched a silky, abstract floral tunic (a genuine steal at 12 euros).

To my mind the piece epitomises romantic style with its soft silhouette and blurred colour palette but then I started to wonder if what I consider romantic is really bohemian. Do you classify romantic and bohemian as different personas? Is there an overlap between the two styles? What sets one apart from the other?

Over to you and thank you for your time.

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12 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

I think bohemian is an offshoot of romantic. I think romantic came first, then others decided to take parts of it for an easy bohemian look.

Anonymous

I have no idea, but that is one stunning vacation destination. I hope you and your family had a marvelous time! You are going to look so pretty in your new tunic, and what a great souvenir to remind you of your trip.

Kristin L

Mondrago looks absolutely beautiful! I'm not sure which came first, but I think romantic and bohemian are related.

dizzys

Active Member

I am not an expert, but Arty Eclectic, Bohemian and Romanic seem to overlap a bit although I personally see the styles completely differently.
Bohemian style is not just clothing in many cases, its more a life style....mythical believers, natural living, don't brush your hair for a week type thing. I suppose that might be a generalization though. Like to hear others thoughts.

Vix

Hi RandJ --

Gorgeous destination; sounds like a wonderful trip! On one of the past Boho threads, Manidipa had great, "edumacational" things to say about boho/romantic connections and differences.

I can't search for it right now, but maybe someone else can link it in or quote the relevant parts.

RoseandJoan

Thanks vix, I'm off on the hunt.

Dizzys, I guess I view bohemian as of the earth and romantic as of the air!

IK, from a historical point of view I'm sure you're right.

Mondrago is on the island of Mallorca and is one of the most picturesque places I have ever seen http://www.seemallorca.com/sea.....lorca.html definitely worth a visit.

Diana

I like the idea that bohemian is earthy and romantic is airy! I guess i think of romantic as more idealized, so like all the airy/pretty/naturey things but without the dirt, KWIM? Or maybe more historical, like the 19th century Romantics and victorian influences, but that might just be how I interpret it in my own style. More British countryside and less Cowboy/Western influence.

Thistle

Wow, just gorgeoys vacation spot!!

I think of BoHo as having some similar style elements as Romantic, but until you mentioned the connection, I had never really associated the two with each other.

Transcona Shannon

What a stunning destination!

I do think boho and romantic are related - but I picture boho as more "earthy" in terms of color palette and including things like fringe and beads...whereas I see romantic as having a softer color palette with more pastel and blush tones, more floral pattern and the occasional ruffle. But both styles include soft fabrications and more flowing/drapey silhouettes. Does that make any sense?

There was an interesting article just this weekend (NY Times?) that discussed the history of "hippy" or boho and it seemed like at least some romantic can fall under that category but combined with other styles like chunky sandals or boots rather than sticking to the purely dainty. It may be the way you mix. Put this top with moto jeans and engineer boots and you may have boho. Put it over a flowy midi skirt and wear embellished feminine sandals and you have romantic. If the print and styling is ethnic and add some earthiness, you may have both.

I always thought of Boho as being romantic/earthy verses romantic/sweet. But yes, definitely romantic.
Boho is loose, free, flowy.
Romantic/sweet is more girly, fitted.

rachylou

I think of Romantic as being more done-up.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

I always think of Romance as borrowing more from historical styles of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. When I think of romantic-looking trends, I think of Titanic, Somewhere in Time, Downton Abbey, etc. Very ladylike and refined.

This is so interesting, I really appreciate your perspective.

Yes romantic can be sweet but in my mind it can also be opulent or ethereal.

Tracina, I personally struggle with the idea of looking sweet but always come back to romantic items time and time again.

Shannon, you also have some romantic items (I'm thinking the purple Danier jacket) but you never look overly sweet. Perhaps it is in part or love of retro that has us return to certain looks.

La Belle, it is interesting that you think of romantic looks as referencing a period. I like this idea and have a definite weakness for 40's style.

Rachy, as I'm a paid up member of team polished I have to agree.

Joy, that really does sound like an interesting read.

I'll try to find a link for Inge's list.

Thanks Joy, you're a gem

Suz

Wow, what a gorgeous vacation spot. I hope your whole family drank in the healing sunlight!

And what interesting reflections here. I would have said what IK says...that boho is an offshoot of Romantic. Historically, that would be true, it seems to me.

I wonder if Mochi will weigh in. She is our resident Romantic Dandy.

Laura

Hi Jules - To me, romantic and Boho are cousins. Boho has a ruggedness and romantic is more ethereal. Earth and air, as you say. Romantic to me is its own thing and not part of boho. They share a softness.

Your vacation spot looks magical!

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