Remember the hippy days? I bet you do. Carefree tresses, daisy prints, long flowing skirts, leather sandals, leather bags, and of course a carefree rebellious approach to putting a look together.
Don’t know about you, but these days I don’t really do hippy per se, but I do like to dress a little Boho (Bohemian) every now and then, which has elements of the hippy look.
Here’s what the dictionary has to say …
Bohemian: “A socially unconventional person, especially an artist or writer.” Oxford English Dictionary. Abbreviation: Boho.
The Boho look is a bit unconventional, a little vintage and I quite like mixing and matching from my wardrobe with gay abandon.
Think Glastonbury festival, Kate Moss, and Marianne Faithful. Not that I’m trying to emulate them, not a chance … but I think it’s ok to veer away from what-we-should-wear, or prescribed fashion, and do our own thing after 50, don’t you?
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What shall I wear today?
Today I decided to go where the music took me and instead of a tailored look for a blog workshop, I went a teeny bit kooky. I delved into my dressing up box of tricks and mix and matched some Boho looks from my wardrobe archives (well, I didn’t wear them all today – the gypsy look in green is the one I went out in.)
But Boho is an easy look to put together. Think kaftans, smock tops and little pops of eccentricity.
Wardrobe Essentials for the Boho look
- Smock tops
- Floral trousers
- Long hippy skirts
- Waistcoats
- Anything from a charity shop
- Hats
- Accessories
- Scarves
- Chunky cardigans
- Vintage finds mixed with cut off jeans and high heels or easy wear flip-flops.
- Bangles from your travels, friendship bracelets.
I’ve been dipping into a fabulous book titled, “Who do you want to be today?” by Trinny and Suzannah. This UK style duo offer some great ideas for ways to dress differently. They say that the Boho look is more about how you put it all together than specific items.
Their advice includes: Layering – wear a shirt under a waistcoat or a long sleeveless cardi, mixing small floral prints with bright colours or pastels. Think about bold pieces of jewellery and crocheted items that your grandmother might have knocked together.
“A fabulous floral tea dress in the market, but it’s two sizes too big. So what? Pull it in to your waist with a wide, funky belt.” Who do you want to be today, by Trinny & Susannah, Weidenfeld & Nicolson
I think they might approve the pants and dress below as Boho inspired if you teamed them with some idiosyncratic accessories too.
Boho Make Up after fifty
I think it’s best to keep it light. I’d go for a BB cream and a light dust of bronzer – after all you want to look as if you’ve come off the rock star’s yacht all tanned and natural, don’t you!
- A light foundation and bronzer
- A little rose coloured blusher on the apples of your cheeks.
- A neutral lipstick to make your lips look fuller
- Dusky powder shadow on your eyes and heaps of mascara.
Items marked with an * were supplied for editorial consideration in 2013
I’d love to know if you ‘do’ the Boho look or not? If you do, why not send me a picture and a few words about your outfit?
Until next time,
Funky Clothes for Over 50s : Ideas for Valentine's Day
Love the M&S trousers and the Monsoon dress…Might just hop online to have a sticky beak xx
With your background Bev, I thought you might like the Monsoon dress – I love Monsoon too 🙂
Goodness, how gorgeous is that Monsoon dress! Thank you for joining Wardrobe Wednesday!
I thought you’d like that Kim-Marie – as I posted it, I actually though of you wearing it!
I’ve tried to embrace boho over the years but I just don’t seem able to pull of the look, well not in a good way. Love all of these looks on you. Just gorgeous.
You are very kind! I must admit I’m not often able to pull it off well, I think this one was a bit of an exception 😉
Hi I’ve just found you via the lovely Redcliffe Style! I’m loving your boho chic! I’m very into the Glasto look
and like to channel my inner gypsy evey now and again! Nice to meet you!
Hello Sophisticated Mumma! Oh thank you! I’m going to pop over and have a look at your inner gypsy style (by the way I’ve jsut followed you on instagram too)
I love the upmarket hippy look. It’s one of my favourite ways to dress in Summer. You look gorgeous!! Thanks for linking up to 40+ Style. Rachel xx
Thanks Rachel! I think it’s a very forgiving look 😉
The Boho look is great on you. Yes, I do remember the hippie days and loved my bell-bottoms, fringe shoulder bag, sandals and pretty bohemian-style tops (halter tops, too). I absolutely love the red Pallavi Kaftan — I’d like that for Valentine’s Day, too.
Thank you Cathy! And Yes it’s so gorgeous, hey!
You have lovely taste, Jo. You look elegant in all your choices.
You are very kind Mary. Thank you 🙂
You really suit the boho look, I, on the other hand, look suspiciously like a hobo when I try. I think it’s my naturally curly (ie massive) hair that makes me go all Kate Bush when I wear a kaftan.
I do love a bit of T&S action though – all about them when it comes to styling!
Thank you Vicki! I love your take on words – Boho – Hobo! But I’m sure you don’t look like one 🙂 If you look like Kate Bush, I think that’s a great compliment, she was gorgeous!
Oh the memories! I’m glad this fashion scene is back!
I know Marilyn, doesn’t it just bring the memories flooding back. Me too, I’m glad 🙂
What a fun post. I love the kaftan and smock tops.
Thanks Donna, glad you liked it. Will be popping over to read about What is Romance on your blog soon too 🙂
I’ve become quite fond of smocks — they’re not just for pregnant people anymore. In fact, today, pregnant people go for tight across the abdomen which I totally don’t get, but, hey, if that leaves the smocks for women past their child-bearing years, yay!
Totally agree, Suzanne. Up with smock tops!
I do love a bit of boho chic, and I love that it mixes back really well with the vintage and vintaged inspired parts of my wardrobe, as well as the preppy section and the casual section …
Thanks for joining Wardrobe Wednesday!
Yes, Kim … It’s such a good match with vintage, which I know you do so well.
I think I must be Boho – Your essentials list pretty well described my wardrobe to a ‘T’ LOL
And I love the layered look with waistcoats and scarves over smock tops and long skirts!
Although the Qld climate is often too warm for too many layers 🙁
I loved your look in winter QLD Linda when I met you for the first time, and yes, elements of Boho … Suits you so much.
I love this, you look gorgeous! I love a little hippy style. Rachel xx
Thanks Rachel – glad you like it too 🙂
It’s so hard to pick which one I like the best. I love them all and makes me yearn for warmer weather. I especially love the jewelry from Bali. My daughter gave me one necklace from her trip and it’s been my favorite.
Ah Neva, let’s hope warmer weather in your part of the world won’t be too long coming. Yes, it’s lovely how our daughters can now buy us gifts from their trips that we treasure and love 🙂
Some really lovely outfits, you look terrific. I think there’s something socially acceptable about the hippy look that doesn’t attract the ‘mutton dressed as lamb’ tag. And floaty clothes that skim rather than cling to the figure are a welcome option for those of us who, even with the best will in the world, fill out a little round the middle in later life. My wardrobe is stacked with kaftans and smocks, which I love wearing for their comfort as well as their style.
I agree Benitachell – the pouch around the middle is better concealed and what better way than kaftans and smocks. These days we get to choose from such a stylish array too, don’t we! Thanks for commenting today 🙂
I think the ‘boho’ look definitely suits you with your lovely long blonde hair and fresh face. I love the pastel floral maxi dress with the shirt over the top – very summery and feminine.
Thanks Kathy 🙂 It’s an easy wear type of look, probably why I like it 😉
I love your first outfit with the green top and the layered skirt – it is so you – and harks back to the carefree days of the 70s – love it! – and I love the fact that the skirt has been made from antique saris from India. I suppose you have to go to India for that one? And those floral pants – LOVE them!
Jo you always look fabulous – light and casual, dressy, whatever!
Thanks Jill, and for your kind words too 🙂 I rarely feel that I get anything right, so thank you for the nod there! Yes, I love the fact that the skirt is made from vintage saris from India, and I wonder who once owned them and if they were part of a collection of one of the women in a Maharajah’s Harem!
I love the kaftan you’re wearing!
Thanks Bethaney! I think you might remember it 😉 from another time and place! Much worn 🙂