Wearing the Bohemian Dress: What You Need to Know

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The arrival of beautiful days has blossomed a rather retro yet unmistakable trend: the bohemian dress. With fringes, ethnic designs, or embroidered details, this vintage piece transforms into a variety of prints inspired by the seventies, much to the delight of wandering souls. But what characterizes it? Why is this trend making a strong comeback? How to wear the bohemian dress to perfect your summer look? Let’s decode the chic bohemian dress phenomenon for you!

The bohemian dress: characteristics of a dress like no other 

How do you recognize a bohemian dress? Well, there are several elements that set it apart. Let’s start with its length. The boho dress is definitely long. Recognized as a fluid and lightweight garment, this romantic-looking outfit will reach your ankles, covering your legs entirely. This brings us to the second characteristic: comfort. Wearing a bohemian dress means feeling at ease. Thanks to its loose cut, this dress allows you to be completely free in your movements. In a boho dress, you feel liberated! It’s no wonder it symbolizes the hippie movement of the 70s.

The final specificity attributed to the bohemian dress is its colors and prints. Although some models are solid, floral or ethnic patterns dominate this type of dress. The colors are often natural, just like the materials. You’ll easily find white, beige, ochre, shades of brown, and fibers such as cotton, linen, or muslin. Other subtle details like lace, embroidery, or fringes can embellish this feminine garment, always aiming to enhance the much-appreciated boho chic effect.

Bohemian dress trend: the return of a fashion piece inspired by the seventies

When we think of bohemian dresses, we naturally associate this garment with a pivotal period in history, that of the 70s. But the origin of this style dates back to the time of the Bohemians, a marginalized people embodying counterculture by wearing loose, colorful, and fluid clothing. 

Historically, the bohemian dress made a strong comeback through the hippie movement. It even became the emblematic piece of a fashion style, highlighting the strong values of the struggle: freedom, love, peace. 

Today, the long dress remains present on the fashion scene but in a more contemporary version. The dress reinvents itself in a chic bohemian style, brilliantly combining a carefree spirit with floral inspiration. Details are embroidered, and you can see crochet or satin. Even the most fashionable labels have embraced the trend by offering increasingly refined models, such as Chloé, Vanessa Bruno, and Antik Batik, which has made bohemian its creed.

➡️ You can also check out our collection of Vanessa Bruno bohemian dresses in our shopping space.

How to wear the bohemian dress: 3 style lessons

Now that you are well-versed in the trendy dress of the moment, you might wonder how to wear it to stay fashionable this spring/summer? Because yes, wearing the bohemian dress requires attention to a few details, or you risk looking like a Woodstock hippie groupie. We share with you 3 style lessons to help you dress with the essential piece of the summer season: the bohemian dress.

1 – Favor loose cuts

Although there are short or even fitted bohemian dresses, to wear it while respecting the ethnic influence, it is preferable to opt for a loose, flared, or trapeze cut. This gives the outfit that romantic and light look. Furthermore, you can wear it fitted to accentuate your waist. In this case, choose a belt or even a lace to create that seventies effect.

Additionally, bohemian dresses come in various cuts, especially concerning the sleeves. With straps, short or long sleeves, the variations are numerous. Depending on the occasion or the time of day, choose your format: a strapless bohemian dress is perfect for a beach outing, while a long-sleeved dress can be suited for a chic evening.

2 – Opt for natural colors or prints

To choose the bohemian dress that will enhance your figure, you can select from floral patterns, ethnic prints, or warm shades like ochre, beige, nude, or terracotta. White bohemian dresses are also very trendy! Ultimately, it’s the natural look that takes precedence, both in the style and in the choice of materials.

However, wearing the bohemian dress is also a mark of personality. The choice of colors then reveals who you are and what you wish to express. And finally, remember the rule of three: no more than 3 different colors to avoid overwhelming the outfit. 

3 – Play with accessorizing to wear the bohemian dress

Last advice to be stylish with a bohemian dress: the use of accessories.

With the long dress, you can choose to accessorize your outfit. This is what will give your style the gypsy touch and provide you with that wandering look much appreciated in the boho chic trend. To do this, here’s a list of accessories to adopt:

• jewelry: rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings; feel free to adorn yourself with these pieces, ideally vintage, in bronze or silver for an ethnic vibe. With a bohemian dress, we love the accumulation of rings with natural stones and necklaces with a marked identity.
• a pair of cowboy boots or mules, shoes that are particularly back in style; 
• a leather jacket;
• a fringed bag;
• a wool, felt, or straw wide-brim hat to perfect the bohemian look. 

Don’t hesitate to embrace layering, especially with jewelry, as this is characteristic of the bohemian style. But be careful to stick to neutral tones to avoid overshadowing the dress, which remains the centerpiece of your outfit. 

Filled with femininity and freedom, the bohemian dress is therefore the ideal outfit for escaping for a weekend or moving in a comfortable yet stylish garment during the summer season. By making it your own, it will surely become one of the essential pieces in your wardrobe!

➡️ And if you love the Vintage style, check out our tips on how to wear overalls, or jeans!

Image credit: © sandrasemburg