If you identify as a nomad and enjoy the earthy, artsy lifestyle, then boho fashion is the perfect way to express your style. However, it’s an age-old question… “How do you dress boho without looking like a hippy?”. So here’s our full guide on how to dress boho without looking like a hippy stuck in the 70s.

Choose Free and Flowy Fabrics

Comfortable, loose-fitting, flowing fabrics are a staple of the boho look. But if you want to avoid the hippy feel? Focus on two things: quality and size.

The best flowing tops or dresses are made from high-quality, luxurious fabrics. If your top or dress is too rough, too flimsy, or too sheer, it’ll look cheap and outdated, as opposed to encompassing the artsy, stylish boho style look you’re going for.

Similarly, keep in mind that loose is good, but when a top or dress is TOO volumizing or extra-long and baggy, it can look more like you’re wearing a tablecloth. You’re aiming for the “free spirit” look, not the “I woke up like this and I don’t really care” look. Make sure to choose sizes that fit, and keep in mind that a v-neckline can help draw the eye downward along the center of the body, making you look longer and leaner (great for avoiding the baggy, hippy vibe!).

We have a stunning range of silk shirts, stunning dresses, skirts and more at Cienna Designs. Explore our full range today for inspiration.

Rock Flared Jeans and Palazzo Pants

A well-fitting pair of flared jeans or colourful palazzo pants epitomise the West-Coast, boho style. But it can feel like one of the hardest styles to wear without looking like a “stuck in the 70s” hippy. Here at Cienna Designs, we’ve worked out structure is important in creating the flared jeans or palazzo pants look. Here are three classic styles we think work every time:

Pair your palazzo pants or flares with a tight-fitting, cropped top for a super simple and sweet boho look. You could even match your pants with your crop for an even nicer effect, like our Venus Set in Aqua!

A kimono or blazer can be the perfect way to achieve a hippy-free flared look. Combine it with a simple shirt, tucked, and you’ll be amazed with the results. Check the look here!

Textured fabrics are a favourite for boho, so a Cable Top mixed with a stunning bag, Fedora Wool Hat, and thick flares is the perfect combo. It adds a little urban flare and is perfect for winter too.

Have Fun with Funky Prints

Enjoy your funky prints and, rest assured, even if they’re tie-dyed and as hippy as you can imagine, there’s still an easy way to keep them boho ONLY! Boho style is all about standing out and representing earthy, artsy designs and styles that encompass the “free spirit” attitude. So if you want to rock these funky prints without looking like a hippy? Use them as your statement piece, and be sure to incorporate some tight-fits and smoothing features to help keep it in the realm of “now”. Sophisticate it with a simple clutch, sandals and some drop earrings.

But if you do want to mix your prints? Floral prints can work really well with geometric styles, it’s also a really current way to work it.

Check out these funky prints from Cienna Designs!

Try a Maxi Dress

A maxi makes rocking the boho look easy and elegant, it moves us into the present by aligning current trends like off-the-shoulder necklines, bell sleeves and more.

We recommend styling your maxi on its own for the ultimate boho style, hippy-free. But as long as you don’t accompany your dress with a baggy jumper, poncho, or heavy, oversized item, your maxi dress will always be the perfect option for a stunning boho look.

We have a big collection of dresses here at Cienna Designs, explore our range here to find the right maxi for you!

Jai Dress boho style hippy-free

Layer Your Clothes

Layering is a great way to achieve a boho look and a favourite for a lot of commercial boho styles (like the ones you’ll see on TV). A natural, textured jacket, vest, long kimono worn over something like a wide-legged jumpsuit is a great way to achieve a boho look. Layer those accessories too! It’s a big part of boho.

To avoid looking hippy or disheveled, make sure to give a stylish nod to boho layering, but don’t overdo it! Choose your layered pieces carefully and let them shine.

Embrace Earth Tones

Natural tones and elements are a key element of the boho style. If you’re not a fan of loud colours and want to avoid any possibility of looking hippy, earthy tones can be the perfect way to subtly style your boho look. Quiet greens, browns, rusts, taupes and blues are also perfect for completing a look, with a statement piece/print that you want to neutralise.

earth tones from cienna designs boho

Express Yourself with Artistic Accessories

Standout pieces always put a stunning finish on any boho look. Hoop earrings and long funky pendants are classic in the boho style, but the more unique the better. If you’re afraid of loud expression through larger statement pieces, it can be fun to mix and match interesting styles and colours when it comes to your accessories too. It’s all about being eclectic! Textured bags or wool hats can be the ultimate additions for the boho look!

Explore our full range of accessories here for inspo and more!

Conclusion

If you love representing the earthy, artsy lifestyle, then boho is the perfect style for you. However, it’s not always easy to achieve the bohemian look without looking like a “stuck in the 70s” hippy. Our tips and tricks are perfect for achieving the boho look, hippy-free.

But if you’d like to try out some boho looks and get a feel for the style? Check out our full range at Cienna Designs, the home for the free spirit.