HOW I'M GOING BOHO(ISH)
All the texture. None of the flower crowns.
Words
JIHAN PISANI
If you’d told me last year that I’d be spending my summer dressed in the boho look, I’d have been seriously unsure. I get flashbacks of flower crowns, crochet waistcoats, teeny tiny denim shorts and over-accessorising – the mid-noughties were my teenage years, and those formative fashion traumas take years to heal. But as it turns out, the new boho isn’t like the old boho. It feels a bit more grown up and a little less, dare I say it, literal? Like I don’t have to be browsing an Ibizan market stall to feel appropriately dressed. This more wearable, chicer approach to boho has me sold, and I think how you style it plays a big role. Here’s what I’ve done to make it work for me.
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What I love about this wave of boho styling is the femininity of it all, which is right up my street. Like our Mae blouse, which has pretty tassel ties and is made from a floaty, breathable fabric with a crinkle texture (perfect for chucking in your vacation suitcase because – joy! – it’s meant to be creased). To stop it from going down the whimsical route, I’ve teamed it with a pair of barrel jeans that feel cool and modern – it’s all about that contrast.
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Another perfect example of why the contrast method works is with this peasant skirt. It says ‘I’m a barefoot free spirit with no schedule’, but my plain black T-shirt and chunky leather slides say ‘I’m a streamlined, no-fuss minimalist’. Somewhere in the middle we land on the sweet spot, which is what makes this look feel so wearable. This skirt also gets so many compliments when I wear it, it might just be my favourite summer look of them all.
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A pretty top works overtime for me in the summer, and this one has details that I’m just obsessed with. The crinkle texture, peplum frill and tassel ties channel the best bits of the boho look (in my opinion) and in black it’s a great day-to-night option. Plus, there are so many ways to wear it: off the shoulder, on the shoulder, tassels tied in a bow or behind your neck as a halter. I’ve kept this look really simple with denim shorts, a raffia tote and minimal sandals because honestly, it’s all about the top.