What is boho style? Summer's favourite look explained

When it comes to summer, working out what is boho style and how to inject it into your wardrobe is a smart idea. Always on trend in the warmer months, this carefree and creative look is one you can turn to year after year, and it's easy to shop from both designer and straight-to-market brands.

Boho style, or bohemian style - to give its full name, dates back hundreds of years and was a term used to refer to an ‘exotic’ sense of style seen on artists and writers. Evolving into a style trend that now incorporates some of the best wedding guest dresses and some capsule wardrobe essentials, when you ask what is boho style today, the look is a reflection of the 1960s and 1970s hippy movement, with Woodstock and the flower power movement playing a central part in its revival. A modern boho wardrobe incorporates artisanal elements, colour and print for a look that always feels carefree and relaxed. One of the biggest spring/summer fashion trends 2024, its popularity is somewhat ironic, since it was originally meant to be a rejection of the mainstream and all the comes with it.

While boho style is a look that never truly falls out of fashion, it has had its fair share of peaks and troughs. In the Noughties the likes of Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Nicole Richie and the Olsen twins reinvigorated the movement, leaving shoppers asking 'what is boho style?' and wanting to buy into the look. With their maxi skirts, low-slung belts, crocheted dresses and gladiator sandals, this celebrity trend soon made its way onto the runway and into the closets of every style-conscious woman out there. Today, thanks to British clothing brands like Rixo and M&S (who just teamed up with Sienna Miller on a boho-inspired collection), the look remains at the forefront of fashion with its relaxed silhouettes, eye-catching prints and elaborate embroidery.

What is boho style?

Defining what is boho style almost goes against its free-spirited nature. Often identified by a love of artisanal detailing, use of colour and relaxed, flowy shapes, it is a look that can be worn all year but is most associated with the summer.

Celebrity stylist, Natalie Robinson believes that regardless of trends, boho will always be popular in warmer weather, owing much of its seasonal popularity to shoppers asking, 'what to wear to a festival?'

“The boho look is fun, effortless, yet somewhat innocently reckless and, for such reasons, synonymous with festival season. Boho styles like floral maxi dresses are making a comeback along with the classic white shirt, mini-skirt, and shorts coupled with a fedora hat, complementing the carefree nature of summer festivals and social gatherings,” she says.

For the modern boho babe, celebrities have been pivotal in keeping this look front and centre. Back in the mid-Noughties, the boho look was everywhere, with actress Sienna Miller being the main influencer. Channelling her luxe hippy style in denim cut-offs, layered jewellery and crochet waistcoats, with the Noughties back in fashion we're seeing this look come through across runway and straight to market brands once more.

Modern boho icons include Cat Deeley and Kate Moss, so while this style might draw on fashion past, it firmly has a slot in fashion present and future too.

Best Boho Dresses

A floral or patterned dress is the mainstay of any boho look. While maxi is the preferred length of the boho trend, this can, for some be an impractical and overwhelming amount of fabric. If that sounds like you, then make friends with your tailor and get dresses shortened to the correct length, wear with new season wedges, or opt for the on-trend midaxi length that is part way between midi and maxi. For a truly authentic answer to what is boho style, choose long, flowing dresses, with embellishments such as embroidery or tassels.

Best Boho Skirts and Trousers

Along with many other Y2K styles that are popular right now, long skirts are having a moment. Perfect for the boho look, they’re great if you want to keep cool in the summer and save your legs from midday sun. Other popular boho bottoms included barrel leg and flared jeans, cut-off denim shorts and embroidered miniskirts.

Best Boho Tops and Jackets

Loose silhouettes, crochet elements, vintage prints and embellishments are the way to go when you’re looking for a boho-style top. While crop tops do feature in this look, if you don’t want to expose your stomach, choose a tunic-style kaftan for a chic look that isn't as revealing. A universally flattering style, kaftans skim the silhouette, making them a stylish option for all body shapes.

Best Boho Shoes and Boots

This look is definitely not for the best white trainer addicts! Clogs and gladiator sandals are a popular option for the boho trend, but if you want something that will work through spring and autumn, then turn to suede and embellished cowboy boots - both ankle and full length. For added height opt for flatforms which still put comfort front and centre.

Best Boho Bags

There are no small bags allowed here! Just as with the relaxed nature of the clothes, bags should be slouchy, slung across the body and preferably big enough to carry everything you need with you. Fringes, embroidery, crochet, and patchwork all enhance the hippy vibe. Stick with natural colors, such as tan or cream, or go full on mismatch and choose a bright print or floral patterns.

How to wear boho style – whatever your body shape

A boho capsule wardrobe is easy to put together and perfect for long, summer days – whether you’re chilling in the garden, attending a special event, or catching up with the latest bands at a festival. A versatile look, boho style is also universally flattering, suiting all body types including pear shaped bodies and apple body shapes says TV and celebrity fashion expert and founder of the Feel Good Fashion Coach, Miranda Holder.

“The very essence of boho is floaty and diaphanous, with loose layers that skim any body shape and be nipped in at the perfect point with an artfully placed accessory. Talking of accessories, the fashion rules from above state that more is definitely more here, so whether you want to balance out larger hips (or want a stylish dress to hide a tummy), you have a full repertoire of wardrobe weapons at your disposal,” she says.

While boho looks carefree and laidback, it does require some planning to look perfectly un-coordinated (rather than you’ve just rolled out of bed) so it’s good to have a variety of boho wardrobe essentials at your disposal.

For Natalie, this includes a range of accessories, which can give a boho feel to any outfit.

“Think a fedora or trilby hat, the biggest sunglasses trends, and a cross-over bag that shapes the identity of bohemian style,” she says.

Festivals were made for boho – especially as you can incorporate layers for any unpredictable weather. Throw a fringed kaftan over a t-shirt and denim cut-offs – team with cowboy boots and you’ve got all weather angles stylishly covered.

While you may need a more formal approach when it comes to the best wedding guest dresses, you can still create the essence of boho style by choosing floaty dresses, accompanied with jackets that have pretty tassels, embroidery, or embellishments. A must-have boho item that will take you from brunch to the beach is a kaftan. Throw it on over the best jeans for your body type back home, or over the right swimwear for your body shape at the beach.

If creating a full-on boho look feels too much out of your comfort zone though, accessories are your friend says Miranda.

“Cowboy boots are always a great place to start, and the more beaten up and embellished they are, the better,” she recommends,

She continues: “Don’t forget to layer up your jewellery too - why have one necklace when you can have three?! This is your chance to create a truly personalised look that really reflects who you are!”

Handcrafted items and materials such as leather and wood will create an authentic boho look - the more individual and unique your accessories are, the better.

The best places to shop boho style

As the style is now commonplace, come summertime many brands stock the boho essentials from maxi skirts to flowy blouses. Some of the best dresses can be found at Free People, and Boden's swimwear collection nails grown-up boho.

One of the best British clothing brands for picking up stylish boho pieces is Monsoon – they have everything covered from cute kimonos to hippy maxi skirts. If you’re looking for more directional boho pieces, try one of the best Spanish clothing brands around - Zara. They have a gorgeous selection of embroidered pieces that shout summer!