The (very strict) rules of how to do boho style like a grown up Camilla Ridley Day reveals the rules for the new, grown-up boho READ MORE: Emily in Paris is not just for your daughter! Our stylist reveals how over 50s can copy her style - and the one fashion secret she borrows from Princess Diana By Camilla Ridley Day For The Daily Mail Published: 20:27, 21 August 2024 | Updated: 20:34, 21 August 2024 e-mail View comments Make no mistake, boho fashion is back – and it’s only going to get bigger as we head into September. For those of us who wore it in the Noughties, this news might well cause alarm, along with flashbacks to some questionable fashion decisions. Perhaps, like me, you invested in one of those wide, studded disc belts after seeing Sienna Miller at Glastonbury circa 2004 (actually, I had two, which I wore slung low on my hips, along with a much-loved pair of slouchy suede ankle boots).
But there’s no need to panic, because this time boho has grown up alongside the women who are wearing it. The renaissance started on the Chloe catwalk at Paris Fashion Week , where the AW24 collection was awash with floaty white blouses, ruffled chiffon and fringed jackets. Every fashion editor agreed it was the look to be seen in, while Sienna herself was, of course, on the front row.
Predictably, membership of the Chloe gang comes at a high price: £2,000 for a ruffled dress which all the top stylists are fighting to get their hands on – Suki Waterhouse wore it on the Eras Tour stage for her performance as Taylor Swift ’s support act on Saturday. I’ll be on the lookout for John Lewis ’ peach version, which is coming mid-September as the return of boho becomes the biggest trend on the high street. The key to getting it right yourself is restraint – which means remembering that, sadly, what looks great on an A-lister with a full-time glam squad may not look so effortlessly chic on the rest of us.
Here are the rules to the new, grown-up boho. EARTHY TONES NOT PASTELS Dress, £340, mondocorsini.com; shoes, £149, lkbennett.
com The Noughties boho look was all about ecru and palest pink. But this time, opt for a little more saturation, and more sophisticated earthy tones such as terracotta, olive, lemon and soft chestnut browns, so your look will transition seamlessly to autumn – just add a slouchy jacket. Mondo Corsini’s dress takes you there with ease.
KICK OFF THE A-LIST CLOGS Top, £220, doen at trilogystores.co.uk; skirt, £29.
25, oasisfashion.com, boots, £329, penelopechilvers.com The undisputed queen of boho, Sienna Miller, recently stepped out in Chloe’s Jeanette wedge clogs.
No doubt high street spin-offs will soon be about. But this is one instance where you really shouldn’t follow what the A-listers are doing. Clogs are not the footwear for running errands or for walking further than from the catwalk to your waiting (and chauffeur-driven) car.
A cowboy boot, like this dark suede style by Penelope Chilvers, goes with dresses, skirts and trousers and is perfect transitional footwear. STAY AWAY FROM SEE-THROUGH Jacket, £567, motherdenim.com; dress, £119, albaray.
co.uk shoes, £29,99, newlook.com We’ve become immune to seeing celebrities wearing virtually nothing on the red carpet.
But, although there are plenty of sheer high street options out there, this look is hard to pull off without a team of assistants to check every angle. Try on any new purchase in good light to make sure it’s properly lined. This dress from Albaray is lined with the same shade to give the sheer effect without a big reveal.
THINK CRISP, NOT FLOPPY Top, £100, sezane.com; skirt, £29.99, mango.
com; belt, £22, riverisland.com Lace and Broderie Anglaise are feminine and beautiful, but think crisp (and yes, ironed) rather than floppy to avoid the Miss Havisham look. This Sezane broderie blouse is perfect.
And don’t layer more frills and embellishment on top of a statement piece like this; the cut-out detailing provides all the interest you need. Keep the rest of your outfit simple with a block-colour skirt or trousers. STRUCTURE YOUR STYLE Top, £98, and trousers, £46, boden.
co.uk; jacket, £88, freepeople.com Texture is important to boho; you want good quality, soft and silky fabrics.
Get it right and it’s very glamorous. But the key to looking grown-up is to keep some structure. Don’t be seduced by all those bias-cut, slinky slip dresses with lace trims and spaghetti straps, which will make you look like you’re wearing a nightie.
Instead make a statement in this pretty pink matching trousers and shirt set from Boden, £98 and £46. The paisley pattern is utterly soft and feminine – so toughen it up by adding a suede tailored waistcoat in black. The floaty sleeves and wide-leg cut of the trousers deliver the boho factor and can be easily styled apart for a more pared-back approach.
KEEP DENIM DARK – ANDM EMBRACE FLARES Top, £290, frame at trilogystores.co.uk; trousers, £145, kitristudio.
com; shoes, £149, lkbennett.com; bag, £99, hobbs.com, belt, £27.
riverisland.com In an age of hard-to-wear barrel and ultra-wide-leg jeans, hurrah for the ultimate boho jean style: supremely flattering flares. Keep things elegant with a Seventies mid-blue colour like this style from Kitri £145, or a darker wash.
Or if you’re a diehard denim fan, Phase Eight has a deep blue dress, £118, which gives a modern retro feel, Suki Waterhouse Glastonbury Paris Fashion Week Share or comment on this article: The (very strict) rules of how to do boho style like a grown up e-mail Add comment.
