It’s easy to associate ‘boho’ with summer fashion when warmer weather sees many of us reaching for long dresses – but, actually, the look can be just as readily achieved when the temperature drops.
The secret? Layering. Imagine the kind of long, flowy skirt that you might enjoy wearing in the summer, and change it up a little, perhaps choosing a deeper shade, such as aubergine, deep red, or mossy green.
Swap a summery tank top or T-shirt for a long-sleeved shirt, or a polo-neck jumper. Perhaps add a crochet waistcoat or faux-fur vest. You could switch your straw hat for a felted one in a deeper colour, or a rich tan. Now add boots. And voilà: different season, same ‘look.’
In a sense, this seasonality has a lot to do with what boho is, because it stems from an era commonly referred to as ‘hippie,’ where the mentality was largely about appreciating nature and, by association, the seasons. There was a sense of enjoying the ever-changing beauty of the world we inhabit.
And let’s face it, the boho look never really goes out of fashion: it’s as timeless as a ‘little black dress.’ It’s iconic – like Stevie Nicks.
Here are some elements to consider when creating your boho look…
- The rules are – there aren’t any! Boho chic is all about an unconventional, artistic look, so embrace your inner muse and channel your free spirit.
- Look for flowing, unstructured shapes and design details, such as ethnic prints, vibrant embroidery, crochet or lace inserts, and Western-inspired tasselling.
- Remember that fabrics such as faux fur, velvet, and wool add texture, as well as warmth.
- Go wild with accessories! The boho aesthetic often involves elements like tasselled or hoop earrings, natural stones such as turquoise, colourful scarves (try tying one to the strap of your slouchy bag), and woven belts. Feel free to layer up with necklaces and bracelets.
- Buy pre-loved! Unsurprisingly, boho pieces are commonly found in charity stores and at car boot sales, so keep your eyes peeled for unique, original items.
With all this said, and now that the cooler months are approaching, let’s take a look at some of the best boho pieces this season.
9 of the best boho looks for autumn and winter
1. Satin printed round neck maxi dress
Marks & Spencer, £59
You can always rely on Marks & Spencer to interpret fashion in a way that helps a mature woman feel great. This dress ticks all of the boxes, with its deep, warm colour and bold floral pattern. The lace inserts and billowing sleeves create that gorgeously vintage look, too – while the length is perfect for wearing with tights and boots.
Available in sizes from 6–18, it’s made from an easy-care polyester satin, which gives it an elegant look without the worry or expense of dry cleaning.
2. Joy Cord Midi Skirt
Boden, £99 (now £59.40)
This skirt is boho perfection. Made from corduroy – a true icon of the bohemian 1970s – it’s available in four lush colours, including ginger and a burgundy red.
Falling just below the knee with a sleek, simple style, it will look fantastic with boots. Cord lends itself perfectly to pairing with other textures, too – a chunky knit would look equally as good with this as a silky shirt or lightweight polo neck.
3. Patched longline faux fur coat
ASOS, £130
What would an article on boho fashion be without an over-the-top, fur-trimmed coat? We appreciate that the price tag is on the higher side, but savvy shoppers should be able to find similar pieces by scouring second-hand stores and sites: think of this as inspiration!
This coat is incredibly special, though. Not only does the calf-length cut keep out that winter chill, but its regular fit gives it a cosy, blanket-like comfort.
Available in sizes XS to L, the mixed faux fur patches and longline cut make this coat a real head-turner. Worn over anything from trousers to a dress, it’ll make any winter outfit a joy to wear.
4. Wide jeans
H&M, £29.99
Slouchy and relaxed, these jeans are available in three shades of denim. Our advice? Go for a light blue to really capture that boho vibe.
Although they’ve been styled online to drag on the ground, a more mature fashionista might wish to pair them with a heeled boot to elongate the whole silhouette and give this take on a flared jean the elegance it deserves.
Another idea is to pair it with a tucked-in polo-neck jumper and a faux fur coat.
5. Faux fur gilet
Next, £36
Love the feeling and warmth of faux fur, but don’t like having your arms restricted?
Then a gilet is your boho best friend – and, even better, if it’s made from a luxurious faux fur that channels that free-spirited, animal-friendly feeling. Gilets can be worn under a coat if you’re in really cold climes, but they can also be placed over shirts and jumpers to add warmth without feeling like your arms have too many layers weighing them down.
Available in cream and brown leopard print, this version is relatively wallet-friendly. Our pick for the boho look would be light grey, an ideal all-rounder that pairs with almost any underlayer.
6. Tammies black leather knee-high boots
Dune, £199 (now £139)
Made from the finest leather, these knee-high boots make a statement with their chunky, contemporary look.
The 3.5cm heel adds just the right amount of height without being spindly or, on the other hand, too chunky – and the boot length looks perfect whether worn over or under jeans, or paired with a skirt or dress.
Classic black leather is also a perfect colour to pair with rich cold-weather colours, but can also pull double duty with lighter shades in the warmer months.
Available in sizes 3–8, reviews call them ‘fantastic’, ‘fabulous’, and ‘perfect’ – who could ask for a better recommendation than that?
7. Bella printed cord trousers
Joe Browns, £55
Flared shape? Comfy, stretchy cord fabric? A chocolate brown, autumnal hue? Gorgeous floral embroidery from the knees down? Five-star reviews?
It’s nothing but a ‘yes’ on these from us! Whether you wear these with a fitted or slouchy sweater, a stacked heel or a lower shoe, these trousers are guaranteed to be a go-to all season long.
8. Tori leather sling bag
The Style Attic, £48
Female fashion founder Leigh Unwin is behind The Style Attic label, which celebrates body positivity and size inclusivity. She set up her business in her home attic after her daughter, Edie, was born just 25 weeks into her pregnancy.
The Tori leather sling bag is a good example of the covetable handbags you’ll find on The Style Attic’s website, made from 100% leather, with addable zip tassels and polished silver-tone hardware for an elegant, sophisticated look.
There’s no compromise on functionality, either: the sling bag isn’t only roomy on the inside, but also features an inside zip closure for added security.
The classic black leather also means your bag will have timeless appeal and pair with almost any outfit, making it a perfect addition to the items we’ve featured above.
Whichever bag you choose, you can feel good that it’s from a brand built on passion and desire to empower women. The team said, “Our main objective isn’t just to make women look good, we want them to feel good too! We embrace fashion for everyone and will continue to champion our #SizeDoesNotDefineUs and #FreeSizeFashion campaigns to allow women the freedom and confidence to shop with us for every occasion, seven days a week.”
9. Accessorize natural shell charm straw fedora
Next, £30
Headwear can feel a little daunting at times – many people feel that they ‘don’t suit hats’ or that they would only wear one if a dress code required it, or if it was for protection from the sun.
Yet why should protection from the cold be any different? After all, we all know that the body’s extremities can be particularly sensitive to lower temperatures – and, additionally, a hat is a simple way to elevate an outfit.
When looking for a boho-style hat for autumn or winter, we suggest choosing a floppy brim, rather than a structured one, and a colour that complements your skin tone and eyes.
Tan or chocolate are safe bets for those who love neutrals, but we also love this beige straw version, which has an added shell charm to complete its natural look.
Final thoughts…
Boho chic never goes out of style and can be worn effortlessly by people of all ages. Thanks to its unstructured, free-spirited appeal, it can also be embraced by those of all shapes and sizes.
Despite its eclectic vibe, the boho look is still incredibly glamorous. It’s also perfectly suited to autumn and winter, because all its elements lend themselves so well to layering.
Need more inspiration? Check out the Golden Globe-nominated Daisy Jones and the Six, which is available on Amazon Prime. Starring Riley Keough (Elvis Presley’s granddaughter!) as the lead singer of a fictional 1970s rock band, its wardrobe and styling are second to none. The songs and storyline are great, too!
Which is your favourite boho piece? Do you have any additional boho style tips to share? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.