What we wear, how we wear it and when we wear it can visually communicate who we are, our social influences as well as our ambitions and emotions.

For over 200 years, the Bohemian style has been an alternative to social and political principles. "Bohemian" was associated with artists, writers, and intellectuals, who were the counter-culture after the French Revolution. The term also applied to people who lived unconventional, artistic lives like the original Bohemians who were travelers from Central Europe (Bohemien is the French word for gypsy).

In the late 1840’s. Boho style evolved into a cult of the individual, a person whose appearance became a work of art and who seceded from conventionality. It was also associated with the pre-Raphaelite movement and a group of artists associated with Dante Gabriel Rossetti.  Jane Morris, his muse, epitomized more than any of the women associated with the pre-Raphaelites, a flowing style of dress that was very unconventional at the time. She eschewed corsets and crinolines as well as the rigid social restraints of the Victorian era.

In the early 1900’s, women were earning their own living in many professions and movements such as the Rational Dress Society in London were beginning to exercise influence on their dress. Any form of clothing that deformed the figure, impeded movement, and injured the health of women - like wearing corsets, high heeled shoes, and heavily weighted skirts - were out. Comfort, beauty and freedom of movement in dress was encouraged.

Working women embarked on a revolution in fashion after WWI that greatly reduced the restrictions imposed on them by their clothing. And the need to economize on material due to the war, manifested in the shorter hemline that became a statement of freedom.

Boho style reappeared during the “beat” counter culture of the 1950’s. Black turtle neck sweaters, blue jeans and sandals were the style of the time. Again, it recalled the individual freeing himself from the conformity of the current social norms. By the late 60’s the hippie movement formed and the colorful, loose, flowing, fashion began to once again became a political statement of freedom from societal restrictions, choosing individuality of expression, and finding new meaning in life.

The essence of boho fashion is to be free and flowing and wear natural fabrics that make you feel in harmony with yourself and nature. It's a reflection of your lifestyle. The fashion elements of the Boho style are wearing colorful scarves worn at the neck, on the head, instead of a belt or just wrapped around the body. Peasant style clothing and layering Oriental or Medieval elements, like robes and kimonos. Mixing the ethnic print designs of Persia, India, Turkey, and China with unusual color combinations like paisley, and flowers and wearing ruffles and lace edged sleeves.  Boho is all about creating a colorful, layered, ethnic look that will always be in style, year after year.