Boho is back and you CAN wear your embroidered waistcoat to work – fashion editors reveal how
FROM the Seventies to the Noughties, there’s one trend that always boomerangs back into style.
And it’s the perfect transitional trend you can wear now and also when temperatures rise.
Now spring is here, we’re ready for a wardrobe switch-up.
And this season boho is back – but not as we know it.
This month, shoppers went wild for George at Asda’s boho-inspired, patchwork quilted jacket, dubbed the “Mary Berry Jacket”, that’s just £28 – as well as a River Island’s figure-flattering dress.
Elsewhere, the look has been a roaring success on catwalks for spring/summer, and even into autumn, with brands like Chloe and Ralph Lauren sending models down the runway in the trend.
Millennials will well remember the days of low-slung maxi skirts, crochet shrugs and, of course, disc belts with every look.
But forget all that, as the folk trend has had a stylish rethink that means you can even wear it to the office.
Embroidered or appliqued tops, dresses and even waistcoats, fluid skirts and layered jewellery all tickboth the boho trend box and the workwear box too.
Here, the Fabulous Fashion team shares how they’ll be wearing the trend in and out of the office this season.
Abby McHale, 29, Deputy Fashion Editor
- Skirt, £40, River Island – BUY NOW
- Waistcoat, £40, River Island – BUY NOW
- Blouse, £18.99, H&M – BUY NOW
- Bag, £60, Joe Browns – BUY NOW
- Shoes, £65, Charles & Keith – BUY NOW
While I love the likes of sharp blazers and wide-leg trousers for the office, there is something freeing about wearing boho to work.
I’ve been after a white maxi-skirt for a while now and I love this one from River Island, as it will go with so many other things in my wardrobe.
I’ve paired it with a broderie anglaise blouse, which I’ll wear tucked in for work, as it will add some shape and make my look more formal.
This embroidered waistcoat over the top will add a pop of colour, while a pair of ballet flats will smarten things up.
And to finish, this suede bag from Joe Browns will hold everything I need for the office.
Who says workwear has to be boring?
Emily Regan, 24, Fashion Assistant
- Sandals, £19.99, H&M – BUY NOW
- Dress, £55.99, Zara – BUY NOW
- Necklace, £29, & Other Stories – BUY NOW
- Bag, £99.99, Mango – BUY NOW
- Bangles, £15, River Island – BUY NOW
It’s that time of the year where spring/summer has started to drop in our fave high-street stores, and although it may seem a little earlythe clocks do go forward next week.
I always find that many of the must-have summer pieces are those that launch right at the start of the season.
And there seems to be an abundance of boho-inspired products in stores – think bright floral prints, fringing, long, tiered dresses, and gorgeous white, airy fabrics.
My weekend wardrobe is full of lightweight summer dresses that dont’ quite fit the bill when it comes to work attire.
But this shirt dress from Zara ticks all of the boxes.
The belt and button details sharpen up the floatiness, and it’s perfect paired with gold sandals and this dreamy wicker basket bag from Mango, which will be roomy enough for my laptop but just as useful away from the office to carry beach towels or a picnic.
I’ve accessorised with some metal resin bangles and a lovely gold chain necklace to finish off the look.
Clemmie Fieldsend, 33, Fashion Editor
- Bag, £119, Mango – BUY NOW
- Skirt, £175, Rixo – BUY NOW
- Sunglasses, £3.50, Primark – BUY NOW
- Blouse, £22.99, Zara – BUY NOW
- Jacket, £299, Massimo Dutti – BUY NOW
- Trainers, £27.99, New Look – BUY NOW
When I think of boho fashion, I definitely think of the Noughties.
Festivals and fields filled with jumbo disc belts, cheesecloth maxi skirts and Freedom at Topshop metal bib necklaces.
None of which really fit in my current wardrobe or my lifestyle, as I’ve pretty much hung up my festival boots.
However, when I saw the front row at Chloe’s show at Paris Fashion Week a few weeks ago, my thoughts on boho shifted.
Stylish stars Liya Kebede and Georgia May Jagger wore sleek but semi-ethereal looks that you could see in a city – AKA looks that would work in and out of the office.
Recreating that look on the high street is incredibly easy.
I’m head over heels in love with this Massimo Dutti leather jacket, as it’s unbelievably soft and lightweight – which is great for summer to have on your shoulders when the temperature drops or is perfect for layering.
Under that, you need to keep it simple with this white maxi skirt, but instead of pairing with a cheesecloth top, for the office opt for cotton or satin with lace detailing that nods to that boho aesthetic but is still smart enough for work.
Plus, get your hands on a basket bag, updated for this season in leather.
This tote from Mango ticks the weaved-bag-box but means you can use it all year round and just looks a little more luxury in a different texture.
Wear with plain and neutral trainers or a kitten heel, and you’re ready to go.
Tracey Lea Sayer, 52, Fashion Director
- Earrings, £15.99, Zara – BUY NOW
- Blazer, £44.99, H&M – BUY NOW
- Dress, £74.99, H&M – BUY NOW
- Sandals, £76, Tkees – BUY NOW
- Bag, £124, Sosetter at Debenhams – BUY NOW
- Lipstick, £25, MAC – BUY NOW
I’ve worn the boho trend more times than I care to remember.
I did it in the Eighties when I shopped the trend secondhand, in the Nineties I shopped designers like Chloe and Marni, and from the Noughties onwards, after I had kids, I’ve shopped boho on the great British high street.
A few weeks ago, when Chemeena Kamali showed her first collection at Chloe, us fashion folk sat up and took note.
Oh, Hello Biba-esque boho dresses and cool clogs.
Boho, it seems, is back.
But can you wear boho to the office this spring? Hell, yes.
My solution is always to sling a blazer over it – then of course you can!