For years, the fashion trend called “Bohemian, Boho or Boho Chic’ has ranged with style, attitude and appearance. Inspired early on by the more laid back fashion approach of the 60’s, it’s evolved into basically becoming a statement for more artsy people to express themselves through fashion with a free spirit, individualistic approach in both style and mindset.

Loose, free flowing pieces, with a definite emphasis on freedom of motion is a major element, so it can range from maxi dresses, loose pleasant blouses, “gypsy” skirts, kimono style dresses or even long strapless, free flowing pieces. There’s typically a flair toward ethnic colors and patterns, but romantic lace and flower patterns can be added as well. Shoes and hair accessories really make the look.

Magazines and celebrities everywhere are sporting the Bohemian look. I love a laid back look and have found lots of inspiration in it, but

even though this style above may be trending on the run way, I wouldn’t attempt to pull that off.  I’ve looked for inspiration that gives hints of a Bohemian attempt without screaming, “Look at me, I am trying to dress like a teenager.”

I would wear any of the above looks, but when I first saw the dress below hanging at Goodwill, I was very tentative. It’s definitely not the most flattering piece on me, but our 9 year old daughter was with me in the dressing room and typically she says, “No way, mom.,” but this time she begged me to buy it. Yes, she is my little fashionista and obviously she knew what was trending a bit more than I did.

I wore this to our church which is filled with girls ready to give me their fashion opinion. Without asking, I had no less than 10 teen and college age girls tell me, “Mrs. S, that dress is so cute.”

So I guess my $3.75 gamble lined up with what’s trendy right now, and it definitely paid off. It’s much cuter in real life than in my attempted picture.

This dress has a lot of unique features like the details around the arms and neckline.

I already had the earrings and the bracelets ( I actually had a few more bangles on than the one pictured, but I had taken them off before the picture and forgotten about them.)

I chose to let the details on the neckline be the showcase and not wear a necklace, but this one would have been really cute with the outfit.

I was hot, tired, and just wanted my son to take a quick picture. He thinks he is really funny though, and puts it on sports mode, which takes 3 pictures a second. I had ten pics of my yelling pleading with him to just take the picture (as he chuckled the whole time.)

Embracing a little big of your bohemian side could be fun. It dared me to dress differently and think outside the box for pennies on the dollar, which is one of my favorite parts of being a frugal fashionista. Since I purchased this dress, I’ve bought two more Bohemian inspired pieces, so I may just be onto something new.

Although, as I just went to link to my Dare to be Different by dressing Thrift post, which was one of my first frugal Fashionista posts, I saw this dress. I think I definitely dressed a bit Bohemian here as well, but just didn’t know what to call it. I still love that dress, although the extra ten pounds I’ve put on makes it just a bit more snug than this perfect fit. 🙂

 Do you ever dress a bit on the ethnic inspired side? What if I double dog dared you?

 

frugal fashionista post Frugal Fashionista: Go For It! White on White...

Are you new to my Frugal Fashionista series?

Find out how I dress in designer clothes for less. Yes, for mere pennies on the dollar, my entire outfit is less than $20, and did I mention…the majority of it second hand?