FROM GHETTO TO BOHEMIAN

From Ghetto to Bohemian. Yep, before i was really into tees, jeans, and sneakers. When hip hop became a part of my life, I've changed my style and turn it to ghetto. But as i explore fashion, bohemian style caught my attention. It has a unique concept, you know that gypsy styles and colorful stuffs, their kinda' cool. So now, i wanna' try it. But since i don't want to be a fashion victim, i have to get some few advices from the "fashionistas". I've found some great tips on how to develop your Bohemian fashion sense




What does it mean to look Bohemian? Don't turn to Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' for the answer - that song speaks with more depth than a fashion statement ever could. Don't look to world history, either. 'Bohemian' used to simply be the term used to describe people of the former kingdom of Bohemia, now the Czech Republic. It became a name for artists in France when the artists started to look like Gypsies, which were commonly assumed to emigrate from Bohemia.
So what is bohemianism these days? First of all, it's an outlook: a modern bohemian is intensely concerned with artistic self-expression, in all its forms (visual art, sculpting, literature, music, dance). A bohemian is usually anti-establishment, is an unorthodox, intelligent thinker, and is also often lacking in funds due to his or her passions.
But why would you want to look like a starving artist? I've got ten reasons, as long as you don't take my word for it. Bohemianism isn't for sheep. While the following points are pretty common to bohemian culture, creativity and individualism are of utmost importance. Feel free to disagree.

1) SECOND HAND STORES ARE TREASURE TROVES.
The second hand store is a great place to find strange items, and at the same time, to avoid the hustle-and-bustle, buy-buy-buy aura of the mall. Several times, while visiting my local mall, I've been overwhelmed by the urge to head down to my favorite second-hand store, and not only because of the prices.
Second hand stores are diverse and relaxed. You can find anything from roller skates to great plaid punk dresses (I have!), for a few bucks apiece. Anything donated to the store is put out on the racks as long as it's in decent shape, so expect to find shawls, scarves, antique sunglasses, hats, jewelry, jackets, and handmade items.

2) BAGGY IS BEAUTIFUL - AND COMFY!
Bohemian style is practical - you won't see a Bohemian out in the cold without a coat (often double-breasted) unless it's for a performance arts project. Likewise, tight, constricting clothing is out of the question. Bohemianism is all about freedom, so freedom of motion is important.
However, we're not talking about potato sacks, either. Bohemian blouses and peasant shirts, available hand-embroidered, come in many cuts and styles to accentuate your shape. A wide boat-neck collar can show off your collarbones and the length of your neck, or you can hide your throat with a scarf, or throw a shawl over your shoulder. Use a belt or a tie (neckties make great belts) to pull in a longer top at the waist, or conversely, let all the fabric flow around you. Short dresses look great over a pair of jeans or corduroy pants, and flat shoes are good for your back. You can even layer short skirts over long ones.
Personally, I find flowy skirts absolutely wonderful. I have several, printed and patchworked in multiple patterns each, which I balance with T-shirts of solid colors. I also have a few handmade hippie-style dresses. The skirts keep my legs cool in the summer, and can still be worn with some high boots and knee socks in cold weather, while the dresses make suitable play clothes (Hey, I'll never be old enough to quit playing).

3) STYLE IS WHO YOU ARE, NOT WHAT YOU SPEND.
A bohemian turns the body into a work of art as inexpensively as possible. That means avoiding big names, or even avoiding brand names altogether (Gucci, Klein, Versace and the like can be taken out of the picture). While it's important to look good as a cohesive whole, keeping fabric pattern combinations and colours ungarish and pleasing, this can be done without emptying your bank account.

4) BIG NAMES ALREADY HAVE ENOUGH MONEY.
Craft stores and locally-owned shops, although a bit more expensive than thrift stores, have a lot to offer. On top of finding something one-of-a-kind, you get to feel good about supporting rising businesspeople.
For many, it's important to research who you buy from. Some bohemians are vegans, and avoid animal-derived clothing like leather and even wool. Some don't want to support the sweatshop industry, and thus avoid manufacturers who use third world poverty to their advantage. A part of bohemianism is about being smart, and using your dollar itself as a mode of expression. Who and what you support with it is up to you.

5) CONFIDENT EXPRESSION IS SEXY.
I have a beige wool hat and some off-white mittens that go up to my elbows, and I positively love them. I get more compliments on them than anything else I wear, and guess what? I found them on the ground a few years ago. With a wash, they were as good as new, and while some judge this to be 'dirty' or 'weird,' I'm confident about them and how they suit me.
When you show who you really are (and that can mean being unafraid to admit a bit of near garbage-picking), because you like who you are, people notice, and they like it too. If you're looking to attract an intelligent, confident, creative mate, nurture those traits in yourself, and you'll reel 'em in with ease.

6) IT FEELS GOOD TO MAKE THINGS.
I wholeheartedly testify to this point on a personal level - I make and locally sell hemp jewelry. It doesn't pay all the bills by any means, but it's definitely gratifying to see which pieces sell, and how much some buyers adore them. The best part? I get to keep my favorites for myself.
I've also made purses out of used jeans and skirts out of bedsheets, and while I wouldn't consider myself a skilled seamstress, I can wear what I make with a level of pride that I couldn't feel about something that isn't one-of-a-kind and made by me, with my personal tastes at the forefront.
I hear crocheting and knitting are both easy once you get the hang of them, and macrame is a breeze. Once you're good enough at sewing, you can make your own patterns. You could also make your own buttons and pins, as well as hats, scarves, mittens, socks, and more. The possibilities are endless, and the satisfaction is positively intoxicating.

7) DIVERSITY IS GROOVY.
Imagine what the world would be like if every single person shopped at Old Navy. Yes, it would look like a high school, but my real point is this: people would seem boring. 1984 is long past, and so should be the insecurities of conformity. There's more to diversity than Hot Topic vs. The Gap, and the wiser we are to this, the more interesting our surroundings will be.

8) RULES ARE WORTH SHUCKING WHENEVER YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH IT.
We already have a lot of restrictions to live by without volunteering to be pressured by so-called fashion gurus. We have to go to work, go to school, care for our parents and/or kids, obey traffic laws, dodge the RIAA, vote, and do taxes. Why should we let someone else determine what we wear, too?

9) YOUR OPTIONS ARE ENDLESS.
You don't even have to wear shoes. Barefoot sandals are great for running around barefoot in disguise: they consist of a loop for your middle toe, a decorated strap for the top of the foot, and ties or a clasp for the ankles. I made myself some hemp ones, and they're very comfortable. However, you may find strappy sandals more practical.
As for other accessories: go with natural materials. Jewelry is most often made of hemp, leather or cord, and adorned with shells, stone beads, metals, or wood carvings. Native influences are common, as are Indian and East Asian. Facial piercing are sometimes a part of bohemianism, as are stretched earlobes.
Vintage is works well in the bohemian lifestyle as well. If you find a great dress in your grandmother's attic, don't hesitate to wear it out. As a bohemian, you have access to decades of fashions, rather than just what's cool right now. Feel free to mix-and-match, too. Sneakers might go well with a certain party dress, for example.
What about hair and makeup? Dreadlocks, while too extreme for some, can look amazing on others. Bohemian hairstyles usually don't require much upkeep - let your hair fall naturally. Makeup is often minimal, although sometimes one might employ the style of a particular era (like the red lipstick of the 50s) to achieve a theme.

10) NO MORE FASHION ANXIETY.
As a bohemian, you no longer have to worry so much about "what's cool." Rather than fearing disapproval, you can look to your peers with mutual approval. You are no longer a slave to what's in, and can breathe easy as you browse People Magazine for ideas rather than restrictions.