36 To Shop: Boho Style Is Back – and This Time It Actually Earns Its Chic

Boho style has always resisted polish. Emerging out of 19th-century counterculture, bohemian dressing meant a firm rejection of rigid dress codes and restrictive corsetry. By the 1960s flower-power era, it had blossomed into something softer and far more romantic.

In the noughties, it shifted once again. The fields of Glastonbury became a runway for indie-sleaze devotees like Kate Moss and Alexa Chung, who offered an edgier interpretation of the look: fringed cross-body bags, chunky bangle stacks and low-slung belts over flowing tunics. While this propelled boho into mass appeal, its more theatrical identifiers – such as holey crochet and floor-grazing kaftans – didn’t always translate to everyday wear.

This season, it returns – far more refined and approachable than before. Above all, the new wave calls for wearability, showing the effects of minimalism still linger, even as maximalism takes the reins.

Frills, ruffles, layers and textures remain, but prints and embellishments are used more sparingly. Colour palettes lean monochrome, and when multiple shades appear, they work together rather than competing. The result feels considered rather than costume, with pieces that slip easily into your existing wardrobe.

Here’s our breakdown of the five style details shaping the modern aesthetic – plus the pieces worth shopping for 2026.

Fringe matters

Fringe feels more controlled than in past boho cycles. Silk, knit and leather appear in varying lengths across hemlines, scarves, sleeves and bags, adding movement and texture without taking over the whole outfit. Minimalists might bristle at the idea of fringe, but this season it shows up on the pieces you’d naturally reach for anyway. Familiar silhouettes, now finished with a subtle hint of swing.

Tassel talk

If the word “tassel” conjures images of your grandma’s curtain tiebacks, you’re not alone. Somewhere along the way, the ornamental detail turned chic and it’s now showing up in different ways. Classic versions appear at Posse and Ayllon, with traditional knot-and-skirt designs. Elsewhere, Wynn Hamlyn and Magda Butrym play with scale, letting a single strand graze the floor for added drama.

Beads, please

Beads aren’t new in fashion – they’ve long been a subcategory in jewellery. What feels fresh is their move into clothing and accessories, with bags, belts, swimwear, tops and dresses picking up beaded trims and embellishment. Done well, the materials stay close to nature – wood, stone and metal orbs, as seen at Brie Leon, Vertigo and Paris Georgia – adding a sense of play to an otherwise simple silhouette.

Crochet, you stay

It’s no secret that crochet is synonymous with boho style. But alongside it, other knotting and needlework techniques are having their moment, too. Paloma Wool’s fine open knits, Wynn Hamlyn’s basket-like weaves and Hansen & Gretel’s metallic crochet each offer a distinct texture and finish. As far as trend identifiers go, this one’s simple: if it’s woven, it works.

Pattern play

Naturally, pattern belongs here. Paisley, florals and geometric motifs have long felt bohemian, but now they arrive much more softly. Rather than the high-contrast palettes typically associated with the aesthetic, designers are rendering prints in a single colour, as seen by Alix Higgins’s blouse. When more than one hue appears, it’s anchored by neutrals to keep things wearable. Just look to Dries Van Noten, who tempers blue and green with brown and ivory, a mix that feels elegant and subdued rather than overtly statement-making.

A version of this article appeared in Broadsheet’s summer print issue. Grab your copy (for free) at selected cafes across Melbourne and Sydney.

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