he jangle of a coin belt is the current mood music in fashion, because “boho chic”, the hippy-adjacent style made mainstream by Sienna Miller in the 00s, is back. While it has been clinking along in the background for a while, it was the recentdebut of Chloé’s creative director, Chemena Kamali, that signalled its official renaissance, via floaty blouses, high-waisted denim and Miller in the front row.
But it goes beyond the catwalk. Since the Chloé show, searches on John Lewis for “boho dresses’” have increased by 278%, while the search term “boho tops” has increased by 150%. For summer, Marks & Spencer is going big on the style, announcing this week an offering with lots of broderie anglaise, beading and crochet, as well as relaxed, wider-legged denim that chimes with the insouciant spirit.
“This trend revival comes about at a time when people are leaning into nostalgia,” says J’Nae Phillips, the culture editor, writer and author of the. “Other trends may spark a sense of fear and dread for their often exclusionary ideals, but this time around boho-chic is getting a mature facelift as it evokes a sense of undone-ness and a carefree spirit.”
“Boho is always hugely popular for many reasons,” says Jane Shepherdson, who was the brain behind the cultural phenomenon of Topshop in the 00s, and therefore to thank for bringing boho chic to the high street. “It has attitude, is easygoing, relaxed and effortless with a real insouciance that few trends can match.