7 must-haves to build a boho wardrobe

If you love lots of colour, prints, patterns, textures and flowy fabrics, then you will love boho fashion style. It’s an all-time favourite fashion aesthetic but the over-the-top style can be a bit tricky to pull off especially for newbies. This list of 7 boho fashion essentials will transform your wardrobe into a bohemian-approved one…

What is boho style?

A style that has been around for decades, the Bohemian style has many origin stories but what remains the same throughout all its possible origins is that it came about as a rebellion against conforming to mainstream fashion. So instead of wearing perfectly put together ensembles, it’s about pairing eccentric individual pieces in a harmonious way. Boho style combines many different clothing styles like ethnic dresses, embroideries, prints, fringes, flared silhouettes and more.

Go for that free-spirited look or pay tribute to this popular fashion style by adding its influences on other trends like these looks…

Boho fashion essentials

1. Flowing dresses

Two big parts of the boho trends are flowing fabrics and intricate prints. So there’s no surprise that dresses are a huge hit in boho outfits. For something colourful, you can turn to Fame Forever’s A-line dress in Red. The dotted print along with the intricate pattern on the sleeves and hem work well with the flared design while the fabric belt ties it together. Colour Me’s midi dress in Green is another colour and print-heavy option with a band collar, bold prints and flared design. A subtler take on boho style dresses comes from the A-line dress from Colour Me in Yellow. The multicoloured print and fabric belt create a fun silhouette that is very boho.

2. Neutral layers

Depending on what the rest of your outfit is, neutral layers in earthy tones or printed layers are also a part of boho fashion essentials you should stock up on. If you’re wearing a printed dress or printed top, you can layer it with Ginger’s waterfall shrug in a Tan Brown colour. The fringed detailing is exactly what boho chic style clothing calls for! The textured casual jacket in a Light Brown complete with a notch lapel collar and zippered pockets from Latin Quarters will also pep up any boho look. If you’ve got a more neutral outfit on, try layering it with something like Indya’s longline shrug in Beige with a medley of floral prints.

3. Printed tops

Embrace loose-fitting and flowing silhouettes with printed tops for boho outfits. Muted colours or neutrals at the base with lively prints work very well in these designs. Pick up the Rust Orange top from Van Heusen with White embroidery on the bodice and the cuffs on the three-quarter sleeves. The pleated design is very similar in pattern to the Navy-Blue top from Fame Forever. This one with short bell sleeves, a tie-up neckline and a printed bodice. You can also try the White top from Ginger with a bright Orange floral print and a peplum design.

4. Flared bottoms

High waist, flared denims remind you of the ‘70s? This trend is huge in boho styles too. And it’s not just denims but culottes and other types of pants too. Levi’s stonewashed bootcut jeans is perfect for the denim fan while the Black elasticated culottes with a floral print or the solid Black flared palazzos from Code are great for a comfier feel.

5. Printed & embellished flats

With the boho love for everything printed and embellished, it’s no wonder that shoes get a touch of these styles as well. Footwear and accessories are a great way to get a little bit of flair into your overall outfit. Melange by Lifestyle has some ethnic flats that would seamlessly work into your boho fashion essentials. A pair of mules in Black with a pointed-toe design, embroidery and gold sequin embellishments would be a chic upgrade to any look. Complete with textured soles and embroidery on the back and a silver surface on the front, the D’Orsay flats are a great complement to denims or even an A-line dress. For your culottes or midi or maxi dresses, the Yellow chappals with a toe-ring has a pretty printed design that will add a stylish touch to your look.

6. Oversized sunglasses

Boho chic style clothing is incomplete without the right accessories to set off your look and oversized sunglasses are one such accessory that your outfit can’t do without. Although oversized sunglasses have become a mainstream trend as well, they’ll always be a part of boho style so don’t forget to add a pair to your look. Round sunglasses are a particular favourite and Opium’s with a Gold frame and Green lenses are a great addition. Try other vintage styles like the Brown cat-eye sunglasses or oval sunglasses in Black with a Gold double bridge from Provogue.

7. Sling bags

The last on the list of boho fashion essentials to build a super stylish boho wardrobe is a sling bag. The bright Red bag from Toniq comes with fringe detailing – a boho staple! For something more muted, you can opt for the Navy-Blue sling bag with a textured finish and chain detailing or the laser-cut sling bag in Brown, both from Baggit.