17 Boho Style Types for Men and How to Wear Them

The boho hippie look goes back to the late 1960s counterculture, with its loose shirts, paisley and tie-dye prints, embroidered or patched denim, fringed suede and plenty of beads and bracelets.

Jimi Hendrix is the best-known male reference, with his military-style jackets worn over ruffled shirts, scarves and jewellery.

For today, pair one of those signals with plain basics, for example a paisley shirt or a fringed suede jacket over a white T-shirt and straight jeans, finished with tinted sunglasses and a few beaded bracelets.

The folk variation leans on pattern and craft, such as an embroidered or floral waistcoat, a loose collarless shirt, layered necklaces and rings, worn with jeans and boots.

This look is sometimes sold under the label “gypsy”; many Romani people regard that word as a slur, so this guide does not use it, and the look here borrows from general folk dress rather than from any one community.

Keep the waistcoat as the only patterned garment and let the shirt and jeans stay plain.

Boho preppy softens preppy style with Bohemian texture, using a linen or chambray shirt, chinos and loafers, plus a straw fedora, a woven belt or a beaded bracelet.

Ralph Lauren menswear often mixes these two influences, putting western, workwear and folk details next to Ivy League tailoring.

A practical outfit is an open-collar linen shirt, stone chinos, suede loafers and a straw hat for summer.

Boho goth keeps the relaxed Bohemian shapes but swaps earthy colours for black.

Expect a black fedora, a leather jacket, slim black trousers, boots and silver jewellery, sometimes with a velvet or lace detail.

Start with all-black basics and add one textured garment, such as a velvet jacket, rather than layering every goth signal at once.

Boho rock comes from 1970s rock stage wear and its open-neck shirts, worn denim or leather, wide-brimmed hats and stacked jewellery.

Robert Plant’s 1970s stage look, with open shirts, flared jeans and long hair, is the classic reference.

For everyday wear, try a band or distressed T-shirt, dark jeans or leather trousers, boots and a wide-brimmed hat.

Boho indie is the quieter, more modern version, linked to the independent music scene.

It uses neutral colours, relaxed but not oversized shapes, vintage denim, a soft overshirt or knit, and very little jewellery.

It suits men who want the relaxed feel of boho without strong prints.

Boho grunge mixes Bohemian layering with 1990s grunge.

Kurt Cobain’s worn cardigans, flannel shirts and ripped jeans are the reference most people know.

Wear an oversized flannel shirt over a faded band T-shirt with ripped jeans and boots, and add a knitted or crocheted waistcoat or a few rings for the boho side.

Boho country brings rural American dress into the look through denim, gingham or check shirts, cowboy boots, fringe and a wide-brimmed hat.

Keep it to one or two western details, such as boots and a check shirt, so the outfit reads as boho rather than as a rodeo costume.

Street boho brings Bohemian details into urban streetwear.

Think oversized knitwear or an overshirt, wide-leg trousers, trainers or boots, and accessories such as a beanie, a bandana or silver rings.

This variation borrows from Anatolian textiles and features kilim and ikat patterns, loose trousers and metal jewellery.

For men, the easiest route is one patterned garment, such as an ikat shirt or a kilim-pattern bag, with plain trousers and leather sandals or boots.

Where you can, buy textiles from makers in the region rather than mass-produced copies.

Vintage and retro boho goes back to the 1960s and 1970s originals of flared jeans, suede jackets, patterned shirts with long collars and earthy colours.

Second-hand shops are the natural place to look, and one genuine vintage garment worn with modern basics usually works better than a full period outfit.