How To Pull Off Bohemian-Inspired Style

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“I’m a girl from a good family who was very well brought up. One day I turned my back on it all and became a bohemian,” once said Brigitte Bardot.

Though the flaxen-haired bombshell shunned the middle class conventions of mid-century France, her sentiment stands when it comes to matters of men’s style.

After many seasons devoted to all things preppy, prim and proper, fashion’s pendulum is swinging back towards weathered denim, sandals, cotton tunics, braided leather belts and other ‘hippie’ stalwarts for spring/summer.

It isn’t easy to give in to such free-spirited ways of thinking (and dressing for that matter) when your day job requires a stuffy suit and tie. Nonetheless, there’s ample opportunity – if only during off-duty hours – to trial the more insouciant look that’s trending right now, whether you’re taking inspiration from 1960s beatniks, 1970s-era hippies, 1980s New Romantics or the 1990s grunge scene.

Here are some key ways to add a bohemian touch to your wardrobe that don’t require you committing to wearing flowers in your hair:

Lighten Up On The Denim Front

Harking back to authentic bohemian style means swapping your deep indigo selvedge for something several shades lighter.

This season, try investing in a classic pair of light wash jeans, in shades from mid-blue (as seen at Prada) to faded blue (as shown by Dior Homme). If you aren’t precious about your denim, giving your raw, dark jeans a couple of good 60 degree washes will also do the trick.

In addition, keep your eye out for distressed detailing and rips that epitomize a relaxed, devil-may-care attitude.

Men's Bohemian Style Light Wash Jeans Outfit Inspiration Lookbook

scotch & soda ss13 Scotch & Soda Amsterdams Blauw Resort 2015 Scotch & Soda ss15 j crew february 2015 jaspal ss15 calliope ss15 el burgues ss15 ami ss14 Mavi Jeans ss15
Key Styles
  • Nudie Jeans Lean Dean Lost OrangeNudie Jeans Lean Dean Lost Orange
  • Lucky Brand 223 Straight Comfort Stretch JeanLucky Brand 223 Straight Comfort Stretch Jean
  • AG Jeans Everett Slim-Straight Cotton Blend JeansAG Jeans Everett Slim-Straight Cotton Blend Jeans
  • Levi’s 512™ Slim Taper Fit Men’s JeansLevi's 512™ Slim Taper Fit Men's Jeans
  • A.P.C. Martin JeansA.P.C. Martin Jeans
  • Everlane The Slim 4-Way Stretch Organic JeanEverlane The Slim 4-Way Stretch Organic Jean
  • Dsquared2 Light Everglades Wash Big Brother JeansDsquared2 Light Everglades Wash Big Brother Jeans
  • Emporio Armani Slim Fit JeansEMPORIO ARMANI Slim Fit Jeans
  • Ksubi Chitch Punk Blue ShredKsubi Chitch Punk Blue Shred
  • Zegna Stretch Cotton Roccia PantsZegna stretch cotton Roccia pants
  • 7 For All Mankind Airweft Slimmy7 For All Mankind AIRWEFT SLIMMY
  • Hudson Jeans Zack Skinny JeanHudson Jeans Zack Skinny Jean

Work Some Art Into Your Attire

Hand-painted details, inscriptions, messages, and graphics – from the literal to the abstract – all have a place in bohemian style.

If you’re not feeling the graffiti-covered tailoring seen on the SS15 runways at Dior, or Burberry’s fully printed jacket with matching accessories, why not get started with a simple printed scarf?

Men's Printed and Graphic Jackets, Tailoring And Scarves Outfit Inspiration

Giorgio Armani ss15 angelo nardelli ss14 drykorn ss15 j crew october 2014 calibre ss15 zara 2013 Boglioli ss15 Brioni ss15 Brioni ss15 david naman ss15 Scotch & Soda Amsterdams Blauw denim ss14 h&m summer 2014
Key Styles
  • Dolce & Gabbana Carretto-Print Silk BandannaDolce & Gabbana Carretto-Print Silk Bandanna
  • Kenzo ‘Kenzo Stamp’ Silk SquareKenzo 'KENZO STAMP' SILK SQUARE
  • Burberry Rose Silk ScarfBurberry Rose Silk Scarf
  • Drake’s Paisley Print Wool-Silk BandanaDrake's Paisley Print Wool-Silk Bandana
  • Paul Stuart Cotton & Linen Abstract Print ScarfPaul Stuart Cotton & Linen Abstract Print Scarf
  • Moschino Scarf Print Bull JacketMoschino SCARF PRINT BULL JACKET
  • Versace Barocco Stencil Blouson JacketVersace Barocco Stencil blouson jacket
  • Alexander McQueen Obscured Flower Single-Breasted JacketAlexander McQueen Obscured Flower Single-breasted Jacket
  • Etro Floral-Jacquard Bomber JacketETRO floral-jacquard bomber jacket

Swap Your Striped Shirt For Something Floral

Nothing says free-spirited like a floral shirt, while nothing says corporate like a striped shirt, so it makes sense to switch it up.

Instead of that same old striped style you pair with chinos for an off-duty weekend look, why not try a Liberty print version this summer? Or consider paisley, as seen at Saint Laurent. Keep it relaxed and mellow when it comes to styling – that means no cufflinks, collar stiffeners or any other trappings of the bourgeois menswear wardrobe.

Men's Floral & Paisley Print Shirts Outfit Inspiration Lookbook

zara 2015 mango man summer 2015 zara 2015 allsaints may 2015 digel ss12 new look ss15 reiss ss15 mango man summer 2015 scotch & soda ss14 AllSaints spring 2015 Scotch & Soda Amsterdams Blauw denim collection ss14 el burgues ss15
Key Styles
  • Rag & Bone Avery Printed Viscose ShirtRag & Bone Avery Printed Viscose Shirt
  • Hotel Franks by Camilla Glaze And Graze ShirtHotel Franks by Camilla Short Sleeve Camp Collared Shirt Glaze And Graze
  • Orlebar Brown RidleyOrlebar Brown Ridley
  • Maison Margiela Floral-Print ShirtMaison Margiela floral-print short-sleeve shirt
  • Ted Baker BobbioTed Baker Bobbio
  • Ben Sherman Signature Paisley Print ShirtBen Sherman SIGNATURE PAISLEY PRINT SHIRT
  • Nanushka Floral-Print Short-Sleeve ShirtNanushka floral-print short-sleeve shirt
  • Isabel Marant Lazlo ShirtIsabel Marant Lazlo Shirt
  • Balmain Paisley-Print Bowling ShirtBalmain paisley-print bowling shirt
  • Tom Ford Floral-Print Lyocell ShirtTOM FORD floral-print lyocell shirt
  • P.A.R.O.S.H. Floral-Print Silk Short-Sleeve ShirtP.A.R.O.S.H. floral-print silk short-sleeve shirt
  • Noah x The Cure Printed Poplin ShirtNoah x The Cure Printed Poplin Shirt

Suede Is The New Leather

A suede jacket, particularly one in shades from tan to dark brown, is SS15’s coolest cover up option.

Just make sure the design fits with the color choice – opt for cropped blazers or worker silhouettes rather than elasticized bombers or biker styles, which tend to look best in black.

It’s Saint Laurent once again leading the movement for SS15, although Prada’s smooth leather coat in tan leather dips into the trend just as well.

Men's Brown and Tan Suede Jackets Bohemian Outfit Inspiration Lookbook

Gucci pre aw15 the kooples aw13 mango man may 2015 the kooples ss14 mango man 2015 gant rugger ss15
Key Styles
  • Officine Générale Suede OvershirtOFFICINE GÉNÉRALE Suede Overshirt
  • Canali Leather-Trimmed Suede Chore JacketCANALI Leather-Trimmed Suede Chore Jacket
  • The Jacket Maker Stallon Suede Trucker JacketThe Jacket Maker Stallon Brown Suede Trucker Jacket
  • Zadig&Voltaire Button-Fastening Suede JacketZadig&Voltaire button-fastening suede jacket
  • Brunello Cucinelli Button-Up Suede JacketBrunello Cucinelli button-up suede jacket
  • Overland Steven Suede Leather JacketOverland Steven Suede Leather Jacket
  • Valstar Suede OvershirtValstar Suede Overshirt
  • Polo Ralph Lauren Suede Shirt JacketPolo Ralph Lauren Suede Shirt Jacket
  • Stóffa Suede Field JacketSTÒFFA Suede Field Jacket

Swap Trainers For Leather Sandals

They’re not suitable until the weather really warms up, and it takes a good bit of confidence to team them with jeans, but if you manage this one, then you will nail that sense of bohemian nonchalance.

Although Prada and Fendi showed us this season’s best sandals, the high street is filled with more affordable versions – a good call for those who aren’t yet fully committed to the aesthetic.

Men's Sandals - Bohemian Outfit Inspiration Lookbook

zara h&m ss14 toast ss15 lbm 1911 ss14 zara 2012 Duchamp ss12 Bershka april 2013 allsaints ss13 zara 2012 AllSaints spring 2015 lbm 1911 ss15 tesco f&f ss15
Key Styles
  • Pedro George Caged SandalsPedro George Caged Sandals
  • Steven Madden MaivenSteven Madden Maiven
  • Scarosso AntonioScarosso Antonio
  • Ancient Greek Sandals MiltosAncient Greek Sandals Miltos
  • Stacy Adams MontegoStacy Adams Montego
  • Vince Diego Suede Thong SandalVince Diego Suede Thong Sandal
  • Saint Laurent Jean SandalsSaint Laurent Jean Sandals
  • Bottega Veneta Lug Strap SandalBottega Veneta Lug Strap Sandal
  • Camper OrugaCamper Oruga
  • Church’s Nevada Leather SandalsChurch's Nevada leather sandals
  • Jimmy Choo Etta City Leather SandalsJimmy Choo Etta City leather sandals
  • Prada Monolith Rubber Chunky-Sole Fisherman SandalsPRADA Monolith Rubber Chunky-Sole Fisherman Sandals

Style Yourself Like You Don’t Care

This is paramount to pulling off bohemian style convincingly, and probably the most difficult aspect to master.

Untucking your shirt, letting a scarf drape loosely around your shoulders, wearing relaxed-cut tailoring, going sockless, or even skipping (certain) steps of your grooming routine (not shaving, for example) will help you develop that artfully dishevelled look.

Also key is ensuring you don’t look too coordinated or put-together, even if some of you might feel a bit of an anarchist by doing so.

Men's Bohemian-Inspired Style - Outfit Inspiration Lookbook

scotch & soda aw13 amsterdam blauw the kooples aw13 scotch & soda AMSTERDAMS BLAUW FALL 2014 scotch & soda aw13 allsaints ss13 h&m aw11 Calliope aw13 the kooples sport aw12 scotch & soda aw13 amsterdams blauw unknown lbm 1911 ss14 Scotch & Soda Amsterdams Blauw denim collection ss14

Do A 180 With Your Accessories

You want to accessorize this aesthetic with jewelry (leather/beaded bracelets and pendants rather than cufflinks), a slouchy leather/canvas bag instead of a structured briefcase, loafers rather than monk-straps or brogues, a neckerchief instead of your usual tie, a simple gold chain instead of a statement wristwatch, etc.

As a rule of thumb, if it looks straight-laced then it’s best left at home.

Men's Bohemian Inspired Accessories - Outfit Inspiration Lookbook

h&m unknown smith grey JOURNEY PALERMO collection the kooples ss15 the kooples ss15 h&m aw10 Scosha ss15 unknown Scotch & Soda Amsterdams Blauw aw13 lbm 1911 ss12 the kooples aw13 new look ss15
Key Styles
  • Roxanne Assoulin A Step Up Bracelet DuoRoxanne Assoulin A Step Up Men's Bracelet Duo
  • Fossil Tiger’s Eye and Brown Leather BraceletFossil Tiger's Eye and Brown Leather Bracelet
  • Hatton Labs x Botter Beaded Pearl NecklaceHatton Labs x Botter beaded pearl necklace
  • Jaxxon Franco ChainJaxxon Franco Chain
  • OAMC Feather-Pendant Leather NecklaceOAMC feather-pendant leather necklace
  • Gant Slouchy Leather BagGant Slouchy Leather Bag
  • Ferragamo Hobo Bag With Cut-Out DetailingFerragamo Hobo bag with cut-out detailing
  • Lemaire Bandana Leather Shoulder BagLEMAIRE Bandana leather shoulder bag
  • Ami Paris Oversize Tote BagAmi Paris Oversize Tote Bag

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