The fashion industry is one that constantly evolves and pushes different boundaries. On the personal level, the world of fashion is also open to interpretation, giving individuals a chance to reflect their personal style. Columnists Alexis Williams and Aubrey Yeo look at different topics in fashion and find out what keeps fashion moving forward at UCLA. This week, they will look at Bohemian-chic influences, especially regarding upcoming Coachella outfit planning.
If you’ve been to California, you’ll probably know what I’m talking about.
Printed headwraps, tie-dyes, loose-knit clothes and feathers – the list goes on and on. But really, boho-chic doesn’t seem to have a hard and fast definition. I actually don’t even think there’s a specific piece of clothing that defines the look. Instead, the Bohemian look and feel comes from the sum of its constituent parts. It’s through that very nature that boho-chic has ended up evolving into a large umbrella term that encapsulates a wide-variety of looks, whether neutral-toned, littered with colorful prints or dominated by denim.
Fourth-year anthopology student Zoe Rose embraces the boho-chic look with her Aztec-print boots and matching scarf. Rose, who is also a yogi, said the blend of comfort and style associated with boho-chic gives her the freedom to take a yoga class or just stretch out on the grass.
“I think it has a lot to do with our culture out here – it’s a more laid-back culture,” Rose said of the regularity of Bohemian outfits in California. “We’ve had the surfer culture forever and it’s just maybe another reincarnation of that.”
Beside its typical prevalence in California, there is one annual event that sees an especially large congregation of boho-chic outfits – Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Almost as if it’s acknowledging this association, the California music festival has teamed up with Swedish fashion giant H&M to release the Bohemian-inspired “H&M Loves Coachella” collection.
When you think about it, the loose, light fabric and penchant for baring skin goes hand in hand with the hours spent standing, sweating and dancing in the desert. This is especially understandable in California, where the average day comes with a lot of sunlight.
Since I’ve outgrown the days of having a mop for a head of hair, I’ve also, unfortunately, outgrown my use of headbands. And with them went my use for my hippie-inspired green tank top that says “Free Hugs” on the front.
Instead, my boho-chic headwear of choice is now a merino wool Versace slouch beanie. Pair that with an equally loose-fitting grey cardigan from Armani Exchange and a pair of heathered grey joggers and I’ve completed the basic notes to my boho-chic rhapsody.
– By Aubrey Yeo
***
A typical weekday morning:
6:55 a.m.: Britney Spears serenades me into consciousness.
7:05 a.m.: I am finished getting ready for the day and leave for work.
In those precious 10 minutes, I ensure my hair is combed, my teeth are brushed and my bag is packed for the day. This leaves me only one or two spare minutes to decide on a hair and makeup look. It is these days I most appreciate the trend that, by definition, embraces the unkempt, messy look that has become my everyday reality: boho-chic.
That isn’t to say the proper way to achieve the perfect boho-chic ensemble is to throw on a T-shirt and sweats on your way out the door. As fourth-year linguistics and psychology student Kelly Kohler said, the real key behind the boho-chic lifestyle is to spend the extra effort when purchasing pieces to make sure they are versatile and stylish enough to hold their own.
“I definitely go for kind of more easier looking pieces to wear,” Kohler said. “It may not have been totally easy picking them out, but as long as it looks easy that’s all that matters.
Kohler used a simple, knit Madewell sweater as the basis of her boho-chic look, then added a black wide-brimmed hat as a statement piece.
But boho-chic isn’t just for college students short on time. Actresses Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were some of the first celebrities to shamelessly walk the streets of New York while embracing the boho-look. At the time, Mary-Kate was criticized for looking more homeless than haute couture, but eventually the trend caught on, and has become a style inspiration for many, including myself.
My favorite Mary-Kate era of boho began in the mid-2000s and featured big, messy hair usually parted in the middle as an ode to the ’60s smeared dark makeup, large knit scarves, black tights, Birkenstocks and loose-fitting, well, everything.
I model my own personal day-to-day style in this “rocker-boho” way. My taupe suede Birkenstocks are almost always a given, paired with cuffed All Saints boyfriend jeans and a basic white V-neck. While this outfit is acceptable, it only takes a few more seconds to layer on an arm-knit grey scarf, maroon Urban Outfitters Beanie, and whatever color of lipstick I have on hand, and I’m out the door with an actual style.
– By Alexis Williams