boho Sure, you may have seen the term "boho" strewn across the cover of countless fashion magazines, but what exactly is this movement that seems to have taken over several Hollywood starlets? Well, boho is short for "bohemian" and is a fashion style modeled after an earthy, hippie-esque look. The overall image is laidback and approachable, with an emphasis on personal comfort and seemingly effortless style. While "boho" usually refers to fashion, its origin is more about a general lifestyle. The term bohemian originally referred to a citizen of Bohemia in the Czech Republic. Over time, it became associated with gypsies, stemming from the French belief that gypsies came from Bohemia. The modern day "bohemian" is usually an artistic, self-expressive individualist. The bohemian lifestyle is captured in the show (and now, movie) Rent, about a group of starving artists living in New York City. The song from Rent called "La Vie Boheme" is a tribute to this simple, liberated lifestyle. Clothing pieces that are often a sign of the boho style include long, flowing skirts; billowy blouses; large jewelry, usually made of wood; flat sandals and wedge shoes. Pieces tend to be embellished with details, like beading, fringe and frayed edges. Boho fabrics are usually comfortable, light and totally wearer-friendly. Also, layering pieces is very popular. Famous actresses like Sienna Miller, Mary-Kate Olsen and Kate Moss, have popularized the boho-chic look. It has appeared on red carpets, runways and now even sidewalks. The Bohemian style may also be referred to as "ethnic," "hippie," "gypsy" or "peasant."

Comments

[ashleigh]

Lol. La Vie Boheme isn't about how Bohemia is dead, it's about how it's still alive and kicking! Benny says that it's dead, and then by beginning with a mock funeral, Mark etc are actually mocking Benny for suggesting that it's dead. When they go on to toast scores of different things, they're actually throwing Benny's comment back in his face. It's their way of proving that Bohemia is anything but dead! And the song name, when translated to English means 'The Bohemian Life' too.

This could just be the way that I, as a total RENThead interpret it though. :)

To days of inspiration!

[Jackie]

Isn't the song from Rent about how bohemia is DEAD, not celebrating it? the song starts off with a mock funeral for boho. they're saying it's a really idealized way of describing how they live...

[Anonymous]

Hmm, the style sounds relaxing and involving with organic materials.(:

[gerardine]

i do a little boho style. but i like mixing my style together alot.

[molly]

I love the boho clothing and style...it's so laid-back and cool.

[Indigo]

Love the style! I mix it with Gothic just for a darker Gypsy Look. But love it none the less.
"La Vie Boheme!!!" -RENT

[Naomi]

I love boho fashion but I also love the lifestyle. To me being a bohemian or boho, which is a bohemian with money, is about self expression, the freedom to live and love without caring what others think. I think what's great about bohemians in general is their confidence and happiness, which are traits I am developing and trying to have. I think there are some celebrites who could be classied as boho by some standard. They are the ones who seem totally happy in themselves and enjoy life. The characters in RENT are bohemians because although they weren't wearing flowing skirts or brihgt coluors 24/7, they were happy with themsleves and used their talents to exprless themselves. Another point about bohemians is that they tend to be very social and easy to like people. I love boho/bohemian life style.Viva La Vie Boheme!

[Sarah ;]]

I Love Boho-Chic :)

Anyone Else?

:P

x

[Debra]

oh snap KIMBERLY i love rent too!

my fav song is will you lite my candle

the best one

my school put that on and i was so excited i got to play mimi

haha
i loved it

[Tiamatstormsong]

I'm a Bohemian Bohemian, becxause I dress like a hippie and have ancestry in Bohemia!

[Syd]

I'm watching Rent right now, and no one seems to be wearing long, flowy skirts with peasant blouses. It seems to be more of an... Urban Outfitter-y style. I dunno. I could be missing something. :/

[waynebradyhater]

wayne brady is not ust a ho but a boho

[Becs]

I have actually done a great deal of study on the Bohemian movement of the early 20th century in Paris and France. Just wanted to tell you all, if you really are interested in this, maybe you'd like to see the origins of the ideas in Rent, which was based on an opera that popped up in the first wave of Bohemianism.

It was a huge wave of ideas, art work, music etc. that came as a GIGANTIC rebellion against the restrictive victorian society. Thanks to those 'bohemians' we have our modern ideas of how to raise children in a family instead of keeping them 'out of sight'. Homosexuality and all sorts of other sexual freedoms were considered abominations until the bohemian movement questioned these attitudes. Some people say that the bohemian movement is single-handedly responsible for our modern society, and created the greatest social upheaval (Especially in England) for hundreds of years.

So the 'boho-chic' look is sort of...not really all there is to it :p hehe. Bohemians = the ultimate rebels,who live for art and love. Thats the truth, and it doesn't matter what you wear to express that.

[rianna ayala]

BOHO STLE IS SO LAID-BACK, BUT I LOVE IT.

[Genevieve]

Like if you'd ever actually sat down and watched Rent you'd notice that the description of clothing style you've added for boho's is nothing like the people in Rent...they are the true Boho's LIKE ME! woop =)and this site is GAY it won't let me create an account because apparantly my postal code is invalid...like NUUUH i think i know where i live!?!? I will get an account I WILL! mwuahahaha aha a *cough choke die* x

[Rikki]

I agree with Tiffany.

I'm really into this right now.. the people who embrace this lifestyle are very wonderful, happy and confident.

[MyMomThinksImSpecial]

haha this is probably the best label out of all of those

[Eliza]

When I grow up, I want to be a boho like the peeps in Rent. That is my life dream. I just can't WAIT to tell my mom!

[SHAN]

I DON'T LIVE DA BOHO-LIFESTYLE, 'CAUSE I'M VERY MODERN, LOUD, OUTGOIN', AN EXTROVERT, AN I WUVV TA MAKE A LOUD STATEMENT, THOUGH, I AM ARTISTIC, AN A SELF-EXPRESSIVE INDIVIDUALIST. I WUVV DA BOHO-CHIC STYLE, ISS SOOO SEXY, AN I WUVV, TA DRESS LIKE DAT, SOMETIMES

[Kimberly]

I <3 RENT

[Chel]

I really think that Rent shows the modern day bohemian lifestyle. The movie takes place in 1989 but I'm sure it's pretty much the same. I love the fashion trend but so many people think that that's the only boho thing.

[Tiffany]

I think boho is more than just a fashion trend- it's a lifestyle. Although celebrities like Mary-Kate Olsen and Sienna Miller have stapled this trend, a majority of bohemians are artists, creative thinkers, musicians, and writers. They are also generally very liberal and progressive with political issues.