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What’s This About
The boho aesthetic is the visual vocabulary of Bohemian dress, made up of paisley and floral prints, earthy and jewel colours, natural fibres, loose shapes and layered, handmade accessories.
This page breaks that vocabulary down so you can recognise and use it, such as
• the patterns and motifs, and where they actually come from
• the colour palette and the key materials
• the silhouettes, layers and accessories
• four ways men can wear boho details
and many more!
For the full history of Bohemian style, read our Bohemian fashion history guide.
Key Points
01Boho borrows its name from bohemian, which was long used in French for Romani people (who reached France in the 15th century and were thought to have come from Bohemia) and, from the 1840s, for unconventional artists.
02Its core visuals are paisley, florals, earthy and jewel colours, linen and cotton, loose shapes and layering.
03Many boho motifs come from specific cultures, so name the source when you know it and avoid sacred objects worn as decoration.
04Start with one or two boho details, such as a paisley shirt, a suede jacket or silver jewellery, on a simple base.
What is Boho Aesthetic?
Boho Aesthetic is a collection of visual patterns, motifs, colours, prints, shapes, and materials adopted by the Bohemian subculture in clothes, outfits, accessories, and a unique fashion style that depicts a non-conformist lifestyle dedicated to art, creativity, and intellectual pursuits.
Boho Aesthetic Origin
The French word bohémien was long used for Romani people, who reached France in the 15th century and were thought to have come from Bohemia (the western and central part of today’s Czech Republic).
From the 1840s, helped by Henri Murger’s stories of Paris artists, la bohème came to describe artists, writers, actors, musicians, and journalists who led unconventional, even impoverished lives outside society.
Later, ‘Bohemian’ came to describe people in close-knit urban communities with a creative, non-conformist way of life, who put art and ideas ahead of money and status.
Over the years, this Bohemian ethos spread to other parts of Europe and the world, influencing several cultural movements, including the Beatniks and the hippies in the United States.
The Main Visual Features of Boho Aesthetic
Compared with digital-age aesthetics, the boho aesthetic is built on worn, handmade-looking textures, florals, paisley and geometric prints from many textile traditions.
Natural materials such as wood, leather, shell and stone are popular in handmade bracelets, necklaces and bags.
Commercial boho fashion often borrows motifs from specific cultures, such as Indian block prints and embroidery, Afghan and Pakistani textiles, and the dream catcher, which comes from Ojibwe tradition.
When you wear a borrowed motif, name its source if you can, and avoid sacred objects worn purely as decoration.
Boho Patterns
- Paisley. The teardrop boteh motif comes from Persian and Kashmiri textiles; imported Kashmir shawls made it fashionable in Britain from the late 18th century, and the Scottish town of Paisley gave it its English name by weaving imitations.
- Florals. Florals became central to boho in the late 1960s and 1970s, linked to the Flower Power movement.
Boho Colour Palette
- Earthy Shades in terracotta, olive green, warm browns, slate grey, mustard yellow.
- Neutral Colours. Ivory, light grey, cream, and white.
- Jewel Hues of emerald green, sapphire blue, and ruby red.
Boho Motifs
- Mandalas. Mandalas come from Hindu and Buddhist religious art, where they represent the cosmos; on clothing they are decoration, so treat them with the same care as any religious symbol.
- Feathers. Feathers appear widely in boho jewellery; avoid imitations of Native American ceremonial feathers or headdresses, which carry specific meaning.
Key Boho Materials
- Linen originates from the flax plant, known for its natural, breathable qualities.
- Organic Cotton. Check the certification on the garment. GOTS covers the processing, manufacturing and labelling of textiles made with certified organic fibres. It is not a farming standard.
Main Silhouettes and Shapes of Boho Style
- Loose-fitting. Loose cuts reflect the relaxed, anti-fashion attitude of the 1960s counterculture.
- Layering. Layered waistcoats, scarves and coats give the look its collected, travelled feel.
Popular Boho Accessories
- Turquoise Jewellery. Silver and turquoise jewellery is strongly associated with Navajo, Zuni and other Southwest Native American silversmiths; buying from Native makers keeps the credit where it belongs.
- Fringe Bags. Fringed suede draws on American Western dress.
Four Ways Men Can Wear Boho
You can use boho details in a darker outfit, with Western clothing, at the beach or as a single accent. Start with the clothes you already wear.
A darker version keeps the prints and textures but moves the colours to black, charcoal, deep green or burgundy, for example a dark paisley shirt under a black suede jacket.
A Western version leans on suede, denim and silver, such as a suede jacket and a denim shirt with straight jeans, boots and a silver ring.
A beach version drops the layers for a loose printed cotton or linen shirt, linen shorts or drawstring trousers and leather sandals.
A minimal version uses one boho piece, such as a block-printed shirt or a woven bracelet, with plain navy, white or stone around it.
How Boho Aesthetic is used in Fashion
In fashion, the boho aesthetic appears in garments and accessories that suggest the Bohemian values of art, travel and freedom.
Typical boho outfits use natural, softly worn fabrics, loose cuts, earthy colours, patterned textiles and layered jewellery.
Boho Chic Style
Boho-chic blends Bohemian patterns with polished, luxurious materials such as silk and suede.
Its roots are in the hippie dressing of the late 1960s and early 1970s, and the label boho-chic came into wide use in the mid-2000s.
The look has returned several times since, which is why boho garments turn up in both vintage shops and new collections.
How Men Can Wear the Boho Aesthetic
Start with one boho signal and keep the rest of the outfit plain.
A paisley or block-printed cotton shirt with dark jeans and suede desert boots is the easiest route.
On a cooler day, add a suede or worn leather jacket over a white tee and loose linen trousers.
Silver rings, a woven bracelet or a patterned scarf add the handmade feel without committing to a full look.
For a summer wedding with a smart-casual dress code, an unlined linen jacket in stone over an open-collar printed shirt, with cream trousers and tan loafers, reads relaxed but still dressed.
For the history behind the look and more outfit ideas, see our Bohemian style guide, and for related boho references, our boho style types.