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Tweaking Style Descriptors: Bookish Boho

Jenn

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Thinking about outfits I've been really happy with over the past month, I decided to tweak my style persona. I'd been trying on "outdoorsy bookworm" for size, but that started to feel like it wasn't capturing my penchant for things like vintage jewelry, artsy embroidery, and global influences, so now I'm working with "bookish boho."

It occurred to me, though, that boho style is rather wild and free, and bookish style is, in many ways, its buttoned-down opposite. Can these two descriptors work together?

Dressing

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Latest reply was from Jenn

Gigi

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I guess for me it would depend on how the boho part of your descriptor comes through. Is your boho a "toned-down" boho? Or do you do more of a maximal boho, with the really full skirts, lots of fringe, lots of volume? I would say that if your version of boho is a little more restricted, the "bookish boho" name works well. But if you are still doing maximal boho and are just *adding* things to it, then perhaps a different adjective would work better.

Your post is a good reminder to me to think back to my style personas. I had come up with a couple of names but have forgotten them! I need to dig them out and see if they still work.

Jenn

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Good thoughts, Gigi. I'm definitely not a fur and fringe sort of girl. Here are a few of my outfits that I think are somewhat representative, though my wardrobe is a work in progress.

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Jaime

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What bookish is buttoned down? No way! Bookish is intellectual, imaginative, open minded with the ability to be alone and think for oneself. Hope that helps ;-)!

Suz

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Veteran

Bookish boho is brilliant.

And so are your bookshelves. The perfect backdrop.

Said by another writer.

Elly

Veteran

I can see it!

Jenn

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shevia - Fair enough! Style-wise, though, I think of bookish as somewhat quiet, understated, and unobtrusive. As opposed to the big, bold look of boho.

Suz - It's funny. That spot has some of the best natural light in the house, with south and east windows, but I keep the blinds closed whenever I'm not taking a photo. I don't want the book spines to fade!

Elly - Yay! I'm so glad you said that!

approprio

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Veteran

To me, authentic bohemian style pulls influences and artefacts from all over the world (traditional garments, jewellery, textiles) mixes it up with decadent luxury and transforms it into a disciplined eclecticism. Iris Apfel is properly boho IMHO. The contemporary definition of boho annoys me because it commodifies the whole idea and turns out a kind of cookie cutter Woodstock style that lacks any individuality.

So I like how you've used the bookish modifier. I thought the same when kellygirl came up with sporty boho. I might start using geeky boho to describe my approach to the style.

Then again, what I think of boho would probably be defined as arty eclecticism by someone else. Like Humpty Dumpty, words mean what I want them to mean. But you'll get that, being a bookworm

approprio

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And that's a nice collection of looks you've posted. Looks like we may be thinking along the same lines.

unfrumped

Veteran

First, your outfits are great
Second, while I like the BB name , and you are very bookish for sure, how do you see "bookish" interpreted in clothing? I bog down in thinking of how to use style descriptor,s as to whether there are "internal intangibles" vs ones that are to directly relate to clothing styles or effects, and then of course, the fact that it's all in fun.

This may explain why I've yet to come up with my own!

BTW, I was thinking of trying the Anthro plum silk blouse! I'd have to adjust the V - neck, though.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I like bookish boho and not just because of the alliteration. I think of my own style as leaning boho but I am not at all the wild free spirited type so I don't think there is any contradiction in terms to be bookish as well as boho. I think of boho much the same way you do - a liking for vintage jewellery, embroidery, texture, loose, soft flowy looks, earthy colours etc. But I think you may be adopting the bookish modifier to describe your personality rather than your style?
By the way, I love that burgundy top you are wearing in the second photo. Where is that from? I must have missed it when you posted it.

Style Fan

Veteran

I like bookish boho. I also like approprio definition of boho. Great collection of books.

Astrid

Veteran

I like it too! I can definitely see it in your style (and I agree with everything Approprio said about the definition of the term). Here's the link to an old thread of mine, have a look at Manidipa's post especially.

Alassë

Veteran

I think it fits, especially if the moniker conveys to you what you mean. Like Suz's urban prince, where she couldn't define it precisely but knew instantly whether an article of clothing fit her mental image of what an urban prince would wear.

Belladogga

I think bookish boho is perfect for you. I love Shevia's interpretation of bookish and Approprio's explanation of boho too.

I've been really enjoying your posts. The analysis and insights from your style journey have been very helpful to me as I try to sort my closet. I think if I lived in a colder climate I would dress a lot like you.

Word Lily

Veteran

I think it's definitely OK that your two descriptors might be seen to conflict. Bohemian is such a broad, nebulous term.

I myself have been thinking along the lines of refined / streamlined / practical boho, for me. I haven't found quite the right word, but the idea is solid. Still, there's at least a bit of contradiction between the two terms.

(Also, I love that old thread about boho, Astrid, thanks!)

Anonymous

By Jove, I think she's got it!

That descriptor seems excellent for you. Love the wordplay aspect of if - the "bookish" obviously ties in with the non-style parts of your life. And yet the style connotation of the word - sort of buttoned up and traditional, the way we tend to imagine a librarian or a classics professor might dress - s the perfect modifier for your unique version of boho.

I tend to think that the tension between the two words - what someone else referred to as "conflict" - is exactly what makes it work. Isn't tension integral to good writing and other forms of art - and maybe to good style, too?

Jenn

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Veteran

Rio - I totally get what you're saying about "true" boho. I realized while reading your response (and Astrid's great thread, too) that, in my head, I differentiate between boho, the modern style associated with California and summer music festivals, and bohemian, the deep-rooted artistic lifestyle movement I associate with Montmartre, absinthe, and Toulouse-Lautrec. In reality, my proclivities lean more towards bohemian, but I acknowledge I live a comfortably middle-class lifestyle in a small, Colorado town (I've quite literally done time as a "soccer mom"), so my bohemian certainly has all the artifice of the modern boho.

unfrumped and Brooklyn - What you're saying about "bookish" as more of a personality- than style-descriptor is another part of why I wanted to move away from the "bookworm" in my description. When I say "bookish," I'm talking about the style sometimes referred to as "librarian chic," or even towards "granny chic." Think floral shirt dresses, midi skirts, long cardigans, tweed, plaid, glasses, muted colors. I've attached a few Pinterest images to illustrate.

Oh, and Brooklyn, the blouse is from Anthropologie. Find attached. unfrumped, what would you do with the v-neck?

Style Fan - Thanks!

Astrid - Thank you for the thread link! It definitely clarified some things in my head! I see a lot of these same elements in your style, expressed in a different way. It's interesting that Manidipa used the word "flaneur" in her description, given that E brought up "flaneuse" when I was first trying to put words to my style.

Alassë - True. I guess it really only has to make sense to me. It does help, though, to check your gut against other peoples' impressions, because sometimes you might not be conveying what you think you are.

Belladogga - If you have suggestions on ways to adapt a similar style for warm/hot weather, I would love to hear your thoughts! Summer is difficult for me.

Word Lily - I can see how those descriptors match your style. A sort of "working boho."

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Jenn

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Veteran

Ryce - Yes! Librarian/classics professor is exactly what I'm thinking. So glad that came through! You're right about the tension/contrast. I guess it's just a matter of balancing so the elements are in harmony.

Word Lily

Veteran

I think the bookish part makes sense. I understood that you were including your geek aspects in that, among other things.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Word Lily - For sure! I tried the word "geek" as part of my descriptor for a while, too, but my social group is made up of so many people who are so much geekier than me that it didn't quite fit. I have always been considered "artsy" amongst the geeks and "geeky" amongst the artists.

Astrid

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Jenn, I agree - there are still some aspects of this coming through in my own style. I wouldn't pick the same inspirations pics or clothes I did back then now, but there is still that certain kind of feel I'm looking for. I actually never managed to pin it down in words though. But it doesn't matter, I know it when I see it.

Anonymous

Jenn, I love it! It suits you to a 'T'. It fits with what I've seen of your outfits lately and the ones you posted above, plus your Pinterest images are echoing the Bookish Boho too.

kerlyn

Veteran

Yes! Approprio managed to say very eloquently what I've been trying to put into words for a while now. So much of the boho style in stores right now just feels a bit costumey to me. Though I've always leaned boho, I just can't do hippie-headbands, tons of fringe (a little is good!), voluminous peasant skirts, etc. I've always tried to balance my bohemian tendencies with a little modern, a little edge, a little sporty. I think you do this especially well, and I've followed your style journey with interest. I feel like I share some similarities to you in the love of earthy colors, global inspiration, the appreciation for a simple, but bold piece of jewelry. I think I tend toward more flowy, and sometimes more feminine pieces but I've gleaned a lot from your process!

Gosh, hope I didn't just hijack your thread with my overflow of thoughts!
This just all struck me...that's where a lot of my bohemian inspiration comes from as well...dark, moody, perhaps european, art and music, books, absinthe (yes!), even a bit of victorian and steampunk. Woodstock not so much!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Diane! I'm glad you see it too.

kerlyn, totally not a hijack. I love talking about this stuff, and it's kind of a relief to know it benefits someone else and isn't just me selfishly harnessing the forum's wisdom for only my benefit. I hear you on the Victorian and steampunk, too. I also like the term "cafe culture," which seems far removed from the "festival culture" so often associated with boho fashion. I was thinking the term "artsy intellectual" could probably apply as well, but that sounds kind of pretentious.

Sal

Veteran

I see this as a good fit for you Jenn. I think the tension between the two helps- because it will be a continuum with some looks tn ending to the more eclectic and others to more quiet.

My phrase is Everyday Elegance, because I do live a casual life and practicality and comfort are important, but I want to sit at the elegant end of this. I see there is a bit a of a tension too in this phrase and some looks are much more everyday, and some much more elegant. There may be another moniker that works better but I am yet to think of it! I also would like to include bold in it because my favourite looks on me have one bold theme- either colour, shape, fabric or accessory.

Jenn

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Veteran

Thanks, Sally. I like the concept of having a continuum along which to play. You're right in that "everyday elegance" has its own tension. That concept really does make the moniker more versatile.

Maneera

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I think Bookish Boho is a great moniker for you!

Gigi

Veteran

Thanks for posting the pics of yourself with some representative outfits. I do think that "bookish boho" really matches what the pics show. It seems like the two styles temper each other: the boho is restrained by the bookish aspect, while the bookish aspect is freed up by the boho part.

Adelfa

Veteran

Another way to put it might be Artsy Academic. Does that seem somewhat like what you mean by Bookish Boho? (To me you seem more artsy than boho but I too am struggling with acknowledging a "boho" element to my style that isn't exactly that.)

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