How Gypsies became Art Deco ancestors
Even though bohemian chic style is very eclectic and combines many different elements, we would like to tell you in this article:
*where it originates from;
* why the boho chic cannot be limited by strict rules;
*and why boho style origins are not at all hippie culture and ethnic style in clothing.
The popularity of the boho style (from Boheme – “gypsy”) can only be compared with the eternal relevance of classics or casual style. The history of the boho style dates back to the XVII century.
Then freedom-loving nomadic tribes of Gypsies settled in the European region called Bohemia, which began to be called Bohemians. Sophisticated Frenchmen compared the lifestyle of Gypsies with the life of artists – this is how the concept of “bohemia” appeared. Musicians, poets, and actors could afford more than the ancestral aristocracy. Their costumes and hairstyles were bold and chic, and their accessories were provocative.
The origins of the bohemian society’s ideology can be traced back to pre-Raphaelitism, which had a significant impact on the development of the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles.
Jane Morris, a model and muse for artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti is fairly credited with inventing the boho clothing style. She rejected the corseted look of Victorian women in favor of loose-fitting dresses, which was a radical departure from the norm at the time.
In the XX century, the bohemian hangout style became popular among hippies, who excluded furs and leather from the boho wardrobe but brought denim, natural fabrics, and still relevant layering.
A successful rebirth
The rebirth of the boho occurred by the beginning of the new century. In 2000, the boho style featuring: long skirts, loose shirts, tunics, ethnic motifs, and decorations appeared in all prominent fashion designers’ collections.
It got trendy again to be against all fashion rules and trends.
Christophe Sauvat, with his outstanding knowledge of antique clothing and textile, was not an exception. By that moment, he had already had a successful experience with boho chic style as a co-founder and creator of “Antik Batik” in the early 1990-s.
But in the 2000-s, his passion for the boho style turned into his own brand, “Christophe Sauvat.” Hippies and pacifists’ evocative military jackets with plenty of embroidered patches, denim shirts with rivets and eagles, and jeans with patches of all kinds. Timeless pieces you can order any time at www.marinaanouilh.com
Bohemian Chic Style “Mix and Match” Forever
Bohemian chic is about rejecting popular trends, ignoring fashion canons, and not following the changing seasons.
The basics of the style have remained the same for centuries and include floor-length skirts, vests and tank tops, cotton sundresses, and loose tunics.
Shoes and accessories are usually eye-catching. Large bracelets, wide belts, long hoop earrings, and oversized sunglasses are standard. Mind that shoes and accessories are often the most expensive components of the outfit. Second-hand clothing is easily matched with expensive hand-made cowboy boots or elite jewelry, for example.
The boho style combines different cultures and subcultures, from gypsies to hippies and pacifists. It has become almost mainstream thanks to its popularity with famous designers and celebrities. It is characterized by relaxed, comfortable clothing with ethnic and military influences. Its popularity is due to its independence from fashion “dictatorship,” its endless possibilities, and timeless relevance.
As we already mentioned, it is often associated with hippies, ethnicities, gypsies, and denim. It is also characterized by its mix of loose and form-fitting silhouettes.
Popular bohemian chic sets usually include skinny cropped jeans with a loose white T-shirt, a layered floor-length skirt, or an oversize shirt with short shorts.
Fans of this style often choose things with oriental ornaments, traditional Paisley print, abstraction, fringe, and lacing. There are no specific color solutions for this style. Still, natural shades such as ivory, sand, caramel, terracotta, brown, milky, and white are often used.
The Gypsy roots of the style brings right sets based on red, green, blue, and fuchsia are among the favorites with many adherents of bohemian chic.
Accessories play a huge role in shaping the image of the boho style. “It” girls worldwide choose light tunics, denim tank tops, and slightly baggy trousers instead of many layers, flounces, and embroidery. Fashion critics claim that the most expensive elements in an authentic boho look should be the little things and details.
Long or hoop earrings, thin and large bracelets in several rows, large pendants and natural stones, and wide belts with rivets and ornaments are the “milestones” of the style’s DNA.
Today, adherents of the bohemian style are not frivolous “Flower Power” hippies, but active public figures, adherents of eco–trends, and strict vegans. The wardrobe of representatives of bohemian chic is a set of natural fabrics and recycled materials.
Some well-known celebrities embody the boho style: Helena Bonham Carter, the Olsen sisters, Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, and Johnny Depp.
Generally, the boho style is about freedom in choosing clothes and accessories. Still, it is also essential to maintain a balance between a bright, bold image and horrible taste. This is rather a way of life than a style, and it is the foundation on which most modern fashion trends with a vintage twist have been formed. For example, Asian street fashion trends such as the “mori girl” and “dolly kei” are based on the boho style.
Some fashion critics and fashionistas consider bohemian chic is being too convoluted, even otherworldly, and excessive. But all of them agree that it is enigmatic, provocative, and attractive at the same time with all its unpredictable combinations and the scent of adventures.
