How to: Stray from Y2K

‘Y2K’ fashion has died a death of over-saturation. So what’s next? Boho Chic…

“Boho Chic” exhibited in the style of Sienna Miller

Tired of Y2K and crave something new?As seasons change, there is a correlative shift away from “Y2K", although Indie Sleaze is a reasonable prediction to snatch its place in popularity, “Boho Chic” has been overlooked. Headed by the likes of actress Sienna Miller and supermodel Kate Moss, from circa 2005 the ‘boho chic’ style enticed attention. Although characterised by peasant skirts, leather boots, “hobo bags”, gilets, studs and chunky belts, it is important not to be fooled that this style is ultimately hippy and non-conformist. Boho Chic is intentionally tousled and ‘unconventional’. Visible bra straps, dishevelled hair and ‘worn’ looking clothes as pictured above on Sienna Miller, are all styling traits of Boho Chic. The style was even coined in Paris as “Bobo” style, which stood for bourgeoise-bohème, that described the costly vintage designer pieces that were incorporated into these bohemian looks, and namely the affluent women who sported them. For a more relevant reference, socialite Serena Van Der Woodsen’s style on the HBO Show ‘Gossip Girl’ was based on Kate Moss’s “Boho Chic” wardrobe. Boho Chic is bohemian for those who scavenge the Real Real for the rattiest vintage leather DKNY bag, drink Kir Royale but don’t brush their hair, bronze their skin exquisitely like a Slim Aarons model whilst never removing their kilograms of jewellery and accessories, and for those who like to think of themselves as “a professional free spirit who, annoyingly, seems to have more fun than anyone else” as Miller was described by the Sunday Times in 2008.

Here is a step by step guide on how to move on from Y2K and achieve “Boho Chic"…

Step I: The Boots

Kate Moss in an airport sporting Minnetonka high boots

Boots-the functional footwear-the Boho’s go-to for strenuous activities such as window shopping, dancing in bars (Boho Chic was once described as ‘cocktail grunge’) and running vital errands like fetching cappuccinos (Miller) or fending for the airport lounge (Moss). The scruffier the boot, the better, embellIshiments such as studs, straps, buckles really add to the Boho Chic like Kate Moss’s tassled Minnetonka high boots or Sara Carbonero’s studded boots. For the ideal ‘worn’ boot, it’s better to shop vintage on sites such as Vestiare, Vinted and TheRealReal, but we’ve also listed some brand new boots you can shop now…

UGG brown leather ankle boots on Vestiare for £28

Tall eskimo black boots from Mou for £269 (Mou’s ankle boots are also a much cooler version of the classic ugg boot)

Jimmy Choo leather biker boots on Vestiare for £94

Sara Carbonero in studded boots looking busy in a leather mini-skirt

So Boho: Tan brown Minnetonka high boots matched with a Balenciaga city bag and denim shorts

Step II: The “Hobo” Bag

Sienna Miller walking through sunny London wearing a telephone box red Balenciaga City Bag

The “Hobo” bag is a slouchy large handbag typically made of soft or flexible materials such as leather or suede. The size of the “Hobo” bag is an essential for the butterfly that the Boho is, storing items such as hand cream, sunglasses, old birthday cards, corner shop lighters, a passport, receipts, a singular earring, fossilised tampon wrappers and keys. The slouchy material is also ideal for the haphazard lifestyle of the Boho, the handbag should be able to weather public transport, staying the night at your boyfriend’s, shop changing rooms, meetings, airport security etc. The very trending Balenciaga City Bag epitomises this in all it’s strappy and slouchy glory, but we’ve also listed some other worthy bags for a non-city bag budget…

Balenciaga City leather bag on FARFETCH for £1232

Ferragamo slouchy red handbag is on Vestiare for £49

Prada leather slouchy topstitched handbag on Cudoni for £126

Step III: The Floaty Skirt

What could be more perfect for frolicking than the floaty skirt? Midi, maxi, peasant style, however you wish to describe it- the key is too look like you’ve just been plucked from a fairy community, when in fact you’re just running errands in St. Germain/Lower Manhattan/Ibiza wherever your stomping ground may be. The idea is to look like you don’t walk- you float instead- this emulates the free spirited Boho mentality of ‘floating through life'- NOTE: Parisian brand, Marithé & François Girbaud (which can be found vintage on any second hand site too), have the most incredible bohemian floaty skirts- very ‘Bobo.’

Junya Watanabe maxi skirt on Vestiare for £350

Marithé & Françoise Girbaud maxi skirt on Vestiare for £97.68

White tiered maxi skirt from Charo Ruiz Ibiza for £293 (Charo Ruiz also do a really cool mini version of this ruffle skirt)

Step IV: Accessorise

Sienna Miller accessorising with a chunky belt over her flow dress

Accessories and styling including chunky belts, stacking bracelets, studs, oversized sunglasses (merges boho-chic with hangover chic ) etc. are the perfect way to style a '“Bobo” wardrobe…