How to Perfect Bohemian Chic Without Appearing Overly Done, as Suggested by a French Editor
Eugénie Trochu is a Who What Wear editor in residence celebrated for her impactful work at Vogue France and her Substack newsletter, where she chronicles and discusses new trends, her straightforward take on fashion and style, along with other reflections. She is also preparing her first book, which delves into fashion as a realm of memory, projection, and reinvention.
Embracing bohemian chic today involves managing to appear like a liberated woman who might head to Marrakech on a whim while still seriously donning her favorite jeans and responding to emails. In the South of France, spring always inspires slightly risky style ideas. They’re risky in that I might wake up one day with the desire to become a different woman—one who walks barefoot on a terra-cotta terrace, sports bracelets up to her elbows, and knows precisely where to purchase saffron in bulk.
This year, the prevalent obsession is clear: bohemian. Yet, it’s not the version associated with “festivals sponsored by ginger beer” nor a mystical young woman plucking daisies for her Instagram feed. It’s a form that sits between Talitha Getty—the aristocrat who certainly made some questionable decisions but with flair—and Frankie from Grace and Frankie, a woman who gets it and simply doesn't care.
In essence, this represents a grown-up take on bohemian. This distinction is crucial. Between the Woodstock hippie smoking in conceptual mud and the girl in a white gown resembling a wedding centerpiece lies a whole gray area. This area allows for a desire for flowing fabrics, slightly naïve embroideries, and jewelry that jingles, all while still wearing straight-leg jeans and holding a mildly skeptical expression. I believe this craving stems from our current moment. We navigate our days being efficient, connected, organized, and geolocated, making it almost a philosophical act to wear a blouse that's a bit too loose. It signals, “I’ll keep replying to emails, but in something that allows me to breathe.”
The revival of this aesthetic is not by chance. At Chloé, Chemena Kamali consciously invokes the spirit of Gaby Aghion, emphasizing that clothing should enhance real life rather than constrain it. The outcome is silhouettes that are fluid, sensual, and slightly rebellious. One gets the impression these girls could miss a train, fall in love, or relocate without needing to change clothes.
Personally, I reject the total look. Dressing entirely bohemian often makes me feel like I’ve stepped into a silent remake of Lawrence of Arabia, so I prefer to mix. That’s where it gets interesting—an ethnic blouse paired with nearly mundane jeans. Orange striped boho trousers combined with another almost dull white T-shirt. A tasseled dress augmented by a vintage denim jacket. Jewelry that narrates an entire life, complemented by classic Parisian loafers.
This kind of compromise gives me comfort. I can be a tad whimsical while remaining someone who knows precisely where the car keys are. Ultimately, getting dressed is always a negotiation between the liberated woman I envision becoming in March and the one who needs to drop a child off at 8:52, balancing the longing to travel to Rajasthan with the reality of a Zoom meeting.
Shop My Top Bohemian-Chic Picks for 2026
SEA
Audra Scalloped Embroidered Cotton and Linen-Blend Top
Gisou
Honey Infused Hair Perfume
Alemais
Marjorelle Mini Dress
Dries Van Noten
Embroidered Cropped Jacket
Marie Lichtenberg
Evil Eye Green Baby Locket Necklace
GUERLAIN
Terracotta Light the Sun-Kissed Natural Healthy Glow Powder
Etro
Kalispera Small Embroidered Pouch
Alanui
Echoes of the Island Cardigan
Chloé
Aly Oversized Sunglasses
Kujten
Koffi Crochet Dress
MOTHER
The Peasant Poet Embroidered Cotton-Voile Shirt
Hermès
Plein Air Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation
FARM RIO
Orange Farm Rio Jelly Clog
Cortana
Sylva Knit Cardigan
Isabel Marant
Maia Large Bag
ETRO
Fringed Embroidered Tweed Vest
ANNI LU
Eldorado Spritz Bracelet
Mou
Low Bio Sabot Two-Buckles
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How to Perfect Bohemian Chic Without Appearing Overly Done, as Suggested by a French Editor
It all revolves around finding a middle ground.
