Q. I’m a firm believer in dressing comfortably and my preferred fashion style has always been very laid back.
I’ve recently realised, however, that over time my appearance has become sloppy. I’ve fallen into a fashion rut and need help to pull myself out of it! I envy those women who appear to be floating through life gracefully - how can I embrace my female sensuality and still dress fashionably to suit my laid back attitude?
A. There comes a point in every woman’s life when she needs a fashion shake-up to breath new life into her personal style. If you’re carefree and light-hearted with an optimistic attitude then it’s only natural for you to want to showcase those traits in the way you dress. Clothes should be a clear reflection of the self and everyone should shop for clothes that suit their personality. If you’re serious about evolving your image and want to exude the confidence and style that comes from taking it easy, then consider picking up a few bohemian-inspired pieces on your next shopping trip.
Fortunately for fans of casual apparel, bohemian style is no longer limited to artistic revolutionists. Nowadays, even your average modern day slacker can pull this look off. It’s all about being a little undone and a bit baggy but still pulled together, never sloppy.
The modern bohemian woman is somewhere between groomed and rugged. This season designers favoured a sort of post-apocalyptic grunge style that embraced sun-bleached colours and flower power prints, proving you don’t have to stick to a traditional neutral palette.
Unstructured, sporty shapes help make the bohemian look feel fresh again for 2013. Strong staple pieces such as the biker jacket get a makeover in floral printed leather and frayed tweed, playing perfectly into summer’s dishevelled romantic mood.
Balance an eclectic mix of relaxed bohemian layers with slouchy grunge silhouettes to achieve a contemporary elegant edge on this iconic, free-spirited trend.
Look 1
Floral Gecko side-pleated silk dress £1150, and oversized floral Gecko leather biker jacket £2750, both in biscuit brown available at Mulberry Edinburgh. Natural fringed cardigan £241, by BCBG Max Azria at House of Fraser. Fractal ring with gold bead £180.90, Fractal ring with pearl £175.50, flower cube pendant £420, and long flower necklace £295, all by Anna Marion available at Brazen Glasgow. Leather bracelets £115 each by Tomasz Donocik, also available at Brazen Glasgow. Black fray Indian vintage scarf £65, and Bonny cuban heeled leather boot with fringe £165, both available at All Saints.
Look 2
Frayed cotton mint tweed biker jacket £1750 available at Mulberry Edinburgh. Botanical print chiffon & jersey dress £795 and hot pink knitted v-neck jumper £270 both by McQ Alexander McQueen at House of Fraser.
Look 3
Mint jacquard cotton jumpsuit £1350 available at Mulberry Edinburgh. Sumaya green stripe jumper £135 by Carin Wester at Urban Outfitters. Black leather biker boots £675 by Jimmy Choo available at Pam Jenkins Edinburgh.
Styling: Lisa Ringrose
Photography: Jeff Mars
Hair: John Bowers Creative Director at Bowers & Peacock, King Street, Glasgow, using Whipped Wax and Oil Miracle Volume Amplifier by Schwarzkopf Professional
Make-up: Susan Lucas using Dermalogica, Nars Cosmetics and MAC
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