Conventionally Unconventional

Culture refers to aspects of human-made elements, including tools, dress, and media, in addition to values, attitudes, and norms. For example, the dress is a significant part of almost every culture. That represents the unique verity of that particular identity. And the styles of the specific dress depend on culture. Cultures have the power to make the style according to its limitations. Therefore, we can come to one particular argument; ‘cultures frame the style’. Cultural patterns are characteristic behaviours and often include a complex array of choices. A culture may afford more than one way of doing the same thing. Hence, diversity in behaviours may be found in some aspects of any culture.

The bohemians, as a counterculture, appeared in France after the French Revolution. Deprived of the former system of patronage, where wealthy clients supported the arts, artists were plunged into poverty. As a result, many took up a nomadic lifestyle, lived cheaply, and wore worn-out, unfashionable or used clothing. Around this concept, another new culture arose. Early bohemians were those nomadic people who led harsh life. The elegant fancy idea that we admire present is that deep-rooted nomadic culture. Bohemians move away from that so-called structural conventional atmosphere, and they are even far away from strict rules and regulations both in their attitudes and in their dresses. Bohemian is a culture that has spread worldwide without targeting one specific cultural identity. Bohemians usually escape from their everyday lifestyle to achieve the vibe of the secular life. What they seek are spiritual reconciliation and eternal free life. They are miles far away from their nativity as well as from bonds. By making their fancy life the most important thing, they travel to achieve that happiness. This concept is not an aesthetic thing, but it is a lifestyle. Many subcultures have developed around this cultural aspect, especially Bohemian culture’s iconic styles and fashion trends.

Boho chic or the Boho fashion relates to Bohemian’s concept or the gipsy culture. Without framing to outfits that usually look decent and more formal, this style consists of vibrant flavours that add a more unconventional look. For the very first impression, this style portrays the simplicity of life. Vivid colours, unusual printings, open-toe sandals, junk jewellery, oversized glasses and most importantly, loos dresses add that bohemian taste. However, Boho Chic is not shabby, and it is an accessible style that illustrates a vibrant look that shares its iconic flavour with many cultures. The hippie spirit and dress style later became the reference for today’s boho-chic style. Thus, the Boho-Chic is identified with the bohemian values of creativity, freedom and critical spirit, coupled with a careful style.

The hippie movement heavily influences this current Boho-Chic style. Hippies of the 1960s adopted the free spirit of Bohemians and their non-regimented style of dress. When the Hippie Movement stood against conventional lifestyles, new clothing styles, including ethnic dresses, embroideries, mixed prints, volume, fringe, and flared silhouettes, became popular. The hippies rejected everything from mainstream values to materialism from established institutions to social constructs, which was apparent in their fashion choices that went against the streamlined, polished and classy silhouettes of the previous decade. The absence of dress rules leads these people to a more secular life with unconventional comfort. According to the concept, the vivid colour combination is a predominant factor. And it adds a sense of freedom rather than sticking to one particular colour code. Furthermore, the bohemian style does not target one specific region, highlighting the shared values within regions. That is why Africans and Asians share the same taste in Bohemian garments.

Although the Boho dress patterns have been categorized as rule-free dresses, several rules are identified. The major iconic characteristic of this concept is that the dress should look more natural, and the fabric should look very delicate and catchy. Therefore, the neutral and vintage look is the most applicable thing. Furthermore, the dress should be overloaded with unnecessary junk accessories, and it should add a fancy vibe to the outer appearance. Also, these simple accessories like beads, lace, sequence, crystals, threads, sea shells help advance the Bohemian style. Everything is an art. Even if it is a tiny bead stud, it’s an art. Before the 21^st century, this style was just an attitude or a significant feature of a harsh life. But with time, the Bohemian style became an iconic trend worldwide.

Rather than wearing gold earrings, women were more comfortable wearing a peal stud, which looks even more creative and adds a sense of simplicity. Moreover, prints and patterns are typical bohemian elements for accessories like handbags, shoes or headwear. From Mexican images to tribal African designs and from ikat to Turkish, Persian or Moroccan details, the range of boho-infused accessories is gorgeously inspiring with these new trends in the world people used to live with it. But, they were comfortable with the simplicity and the creativity inside that art.

At present, that beautiful scenic bohemian style has reached the international pageant and become more sophisticated. But unfortunately, that simplicity is losing day by day; instead, a more worldly vibe is getting stuck to the concept. That is not the original Boho chic; this is urban-focused hybrid creation. A perfect bohemian style should look effortless, carefree, simple. However, a more colourful, unusual, elegant coloured gipsy dress represents next-level artistry. 

Pick up simple accessories around you and try to imagine yourself with a bohemian look; you will find comfort there. For example, an unstructured top with mixed printed colorful patterns, an uneven lase bag with an open-toe sandal, hands filled with bracelets and ears with pearl tassels will make a complete bohemian look. Give your wardrobe a bohemian touch and feel the difference.

‘A free spirit

belongs to no one

Walks on earth barefoot

Close to sea or in a sea of trees

Searching for life

And living life

In a conventionally Unconventional way.’

– Rtr. Sarasi Neranjana Adikari