College isn’t just for expanding your knowledge and deciding a career path. It is also where you can discover who you want to be! For us girls, our personal style can play into this. Do you prefer to dress preppy (think J. Crew and Sperry top-siders) or hipster (think thrift shops and lots of sweaters)? Or how about Bohemian?
The Bohemian style takes elements from various decades and parts of the world. Inspired largely by the gypsy lifestyle, Bohemian fashion is hard to pin down. It’s from everywhere and nowhere. It’s constantly evolving. Want to make this style yours? Here are some insights into the world of Boho glamour:
Key Elements (these are by no means all-inclusive!)
Prints—Floral, paisley, tribal, ikat, graphic/block, fleur-de-lis: The point is, Bohemians love prints. Commonly used ones draw strongly from nature. Some of the braver Boho pieces flaunt screaming patterns.
Textures—Soft, suede, sheer, fringed, furry, denim, metal, feathery, embroidered: Bohemians experiment with a wide range of textiles. Because the look is so worldly, you can incorporate nearly any texture into your outfit. Look for fringed cowboy boots, braided leather, and embroidered cloth.
Shapes—Free-flowing, baggy, cropped, lengthy: Boho clothes take on a variety of shapes. One signature Boho look features a flowy skirt, dress, or gown tempered with tighter-fitting articles. Cropped jackets, floor-length maxis, and rompers can be great Bohemian items.
Colors—Earthy, neutral, tie-dye, bold and soft tones: Essentially, color – lots of it. Because this style is so in tune with the earth, it incorporates colors found in nature; thus, more natural-looking dyes are generally seen over synthetic ones.That doesn’t mean to stay away from vibrant hues; colors that pop are just as fun as more subtle ones.
Other qualities—Grunge, hippie, vintage, ethereal, multi-cultural: It is hard to say what exactly constitutes “Bohemian.” This owes largely to its roots as, again, some of the progenitors of the fashion drifted from place to place and absorbed different elements from each location. That, however, is the beauty of its form. It is an extremely adaptable style, and draws from all corners of the world.
Celebrity Inspirations
Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen, Nicole Richie
Stores to Try
- Alloy
- Free People
- ModCloth
- Forever 21
- Anthropologie
- Urban Outfitters
- Online shopping platforms: Asos.com, Polyvore.com, Singer22.com
- Thrift stores
- World trade stores
The widely varied yet harmoniously tied elements of Bohemian style symbolize something more than just clothing. The earthy vibe pays homage to Mother Nature and a connection to the Earth; the soft, flowy materials reflect a carefree, feminine mystique; and the globally inspired patterns and fabrics illustrate a historical/geographical awareness. Best of all, the style’s flexibility leaves the wearer with a world of options and opportunities for fine-tuned preferences – in my opinion, one of the best styles for a global collegiette!
Photo Sources:
Musiclove.hubpages.com (http://s2.hubimg.com/u/2850937_f260.jpg)
Falteringbird.blogspot.com (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xV-TwaGfkU0/Txha_Hjy1vI/AAAAAAAABNA/szrwscbdKj…)
Kaboodle.com (http://origin.kaboodle.com/hi/img/b/0/0/15d/3/AAAAC_zZVKIAAAAAAV0wgA.jpg…)
Thisnext.com (http://s7.thisnext.com/media/largest_dimension/CFB383C2.jpg)
Thestylespotter.blogspot.com (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XptRa5UPXVU/S1d4xM52k1I/AAAAAAAABCo/ebt99MTKlO…)
Combined picture: Bohemianspiritjewelry.blogspot.com (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uis2Q8hW5VA/TZIn50VjazI/AAAAAAAAAXg/hKylbZSCtC…),Waleg.com (http://www.waleg.com/style/images/katemoss-s08-topshop.jpg), Stylecaster.com (http://a.sccdn.net/news-7/x480/134975_1310651047.jpg), Pregnancyandbaby.com (http://media.onsugar.com/files/upl1/12/128548/22_2008/fab_580