Boho Dresses UK The Complete Guide
A boho dress is the one thing in a wardrobe that reads effortless without asking anything of you. Pull it on, add boots or sandals, and the outfit is finished. This guide covers what actually makes a dress boho, every silhouette and length worth knowing, the fabrics and prints that carry the look, how to wear it through all four British seasons, and how to make it work whether you are petite, tall, curvy or plus size.
Boho dresses, at a glance
Best overall
PRETTYGARDEN Wrap Floral Boho Maxi Dress · £31.61
Highest rated
Cotton Flowy Tiered Maxi Dress Smocked Waist · 4.6★
Best value
Cotton Kaftan Beach Dress Plus Size Print · £20.89
The best boho dresses under £50
Thirteen picks from Amazon UK, all rated 4.0 stars or above when checked, one for every shape in the guide above. Prices move — the button opens the live listing.
PRETTYGARDEN Wrap Floral Boho Maxi Dress
Best overall£30-354.0★ · 16.6K
The wrap front and tie waist do the fitting for you, which is why this shape suits the widest range of bodies. Short sleeves, a V neck, a ruffle hem and a split, in a floral print on a light woven fabric.
Why we rate it
- 16.6K ratings is the deepest review pool of any dress here
- Wrap and tie waist adjust across two sizes
Worth knowing
- Split runs high on shorter frames – check the stated length
Cotton Flowy Tiered Maxi Dress Smocked Waist
Highest rated£35-404.6★ · 48
Cotton, tiered, smocked at the waist, with pockets. This is the most literally boho shape on the list and the one that needs no styling thought at all – boots in autumn, flat sandals in summer.
Why we rate it
- Highest rating in this edit at 4.6
- Smocked waist means no zip and no fitting
Worth knowing
- Only 48 ratings so far
Kormei Boho Floral Puff Sleeve Tiered Midi Dress
Best midi£20-254.0★ · 62
Square neck, puff sleeves, a smocked bodice and a tiered A-line skirt to mid-calf. The midi length is the one that works with both flat sandals and ankle boots, which makes it the most wearable of the three lengths.
Why we rate it
- Square neck and puff sleeve carry the boho signal on their own
- Mid-calf length suits work as well as weekends
Worth knowing
- 62 ratings – a newer listing
Simplee Boho Chiffon Floral Mini Dress
Best for weddings£25-304.5★ · 185
Long sleeve chiffon in a floral print, cut short. Sold as a wedding guest dress and it reads that way with a heeled sandal, but it works with boots for the rest of the year.
Why we rate it
- Chiffon and long sleeves make it an all-year mini
- Under 26 pounds for an occasion dress
Worth knowing
- Chiffon needs a hand wash or a mesh bag
Fisoew Crochet Boho Knit Midi Dress
Best crochet£25-304.2★ · 134
Sleeveless crochet knit with a V neck, midi length. Crochet is the cheapest way to buy the handcrafted look, and this is the openwork version rather than a printed imitation of it.
Why we rate it
- Real openwork knit, not a print
- Works over swimwear or over a slip
Worth knowing
- Openwork means you need something underneath
PRETTYGARDEN Eyelet Hollow Out Maxi Sundress
Best for holidays£40-454.5★ · 1K
Eyelet cutwork on a short-sleeve maxi, cut loose enough to go straight over swimwear. Broderie and eyelet are the fabrics that make a plain dress read handmade.
Why we rate it
- 1K ratings at 4.5 – a settled listing
- Eyelet cutwork keeps it cool in heat
Worth knowing
- The most expensive pick here
CHARTOU Eyelet Lace Button Down Mini Dress
Best prairie£30-354.0★ · 203
Button front, eyelet lace, loose through the body, cut short. This is the prairie shape scaled down – collar and button placket, without the floor-length hem.
Why we rate it
- Button front makes it a layering piece too
- Loose fit needs no sizing decision
Worth knowing
- Lace panels are not lined
Cotton Kaftan Beach Dress Plus Size Print
Best value£20-254.2★ · 2.7K
Cut straight and wide with no fastening, in a printed cotton. A kaftan is the one dress that packs to nothing and dries in an hour, which is why it belongs in a holiday bag rather than a wardrobe.
Why we rate it
- 2.7K ratings and the cheapest pick here
- One size covers a wide range
Worth knowing
- Beach-weight – it will not carry into autumn
Tencede Plus Size Maxi Dress with Pockets
Best plus size£25-304.5★ · 1.3K
Sized 1X to 5X, short sleeve, maxi length, with pockets. The boho silhouettes were never fitted in the first place, which is why they work at every size without alteration.
Why we rate it
- True plus sizing from 1X to 5X
- 1.3K ratings at 4.5
Worth knowing
- Plain rather than printed – style it with accessories
CICIDUDU Plus Size Boho Tiered Maxi Dress
Best plus size tiered£30-354.5★ · 108
Tiered, flowy, A-line, short sleeve, with pockets, cut for curvy sizing. The tiers add volume without adding a waist seam that has to land in exactly the right place.
Why we rate it
- Tiered skirt with no fitted waist to get wrong
- Pockets, which plus size maxis often skip
Worth knowing
- 108 ratings – still a newer listing
Striped Floral Embroidery Tiered Boho Maxi Dress
Best embroidery£45-504.5★ · 25
Tie neck, floral embroidery over a stripe, tiered and flowy with pockets. Embroidery is what separates a vintage-looking boho dress from a printed one, and it is the detail that photographs best.
Why we rate it
- Hand-look embroidery rather than a print
- Tie neck adjusts the neckline depth
Worth knowing
- Only 25 ratings, and the priciest on the list
Lace Embroidered Pleated Tiered Maxi Dress
Best for occasions£40-454.0★ · 1K
Adjustable straps, lace embroidery, a pleated and tiered swing skirt, with pockets. The gypsy shape – very full, very gathered – in a version smart enough for an evening.
Why we rate it
- Adjustable straps solve the bust-length problem
- 1K ratings
Worth knowing
- Strappy, so it needs a cover for a British evening
Merokeety High Neck Knitted Sweater Dress
Best for winter£30-354.4★ · 3.3K
High neck, long sleeve, knitted, close to the body. Boho does not stop in October – a knitted dress with a belt, tights and boots is a winter boho dress without a single flower on it.
Why we rate it
- 3.3K ratings at 4.4
- Knit carries the look into autumn and winter
Worth knowing
- Close-fitting, unlike everything else here
What is a boho dress?
Boho — short for bohemian — draws on the 60s and 70s: flowing silhouettes, relaxed prints and a lasting sense of effortlessness. The colours run to soft warm tones, the fabrics to lightweight textures. Sienna Miller and Kate Moss carried it through the 2000s, and it travelled from festival goers and summer holidaymakers into everyday wardrobes on the back of print, relaxed denim and soft shades.
The version on the catwalks now is smarter. The details have grown up: exaggerated sleeves, feminine details, flowing skirts cut in better cloth. Strip it back and boho is self-expression with laid-back elegance — individuality expressed through flowing garments, eye-catching prints and artisan accessories. Natural, feminine, comfortable, and full of personality.
What does “boho” actually mean?
Bohemian style borrowed its name from artists and travellers who dressed outside convention. In clothing terms it now means a specific set of signals: a relaxed fit, a natural fabric, some form of handcraft — embroidery, crochet, macramé, tassels, fringing — and a print that looks organic rather than engineered. Hit three of those four and the dress reads boho.
Hippie boho dresses
Hippie leans further into the 60s: tie-dye, patchwork, bell sleeves, floor-length hems, beads. Colours are brighter and the prints louder than a modern boho dress, and the shapes are looser still. On UK sites hippy dress, hippie dress and hippie boho dresses all return much the same rail, so search every spelling.
Gypsy boho dresses UK
Gypsy describes the tiered, gathered, very full skirt with a drawstring or elasticated waist. It is the most voluminous of the three, and the one that reads most obviously handmade. Gypsy boho dresses UK and gypsy style dresses are the terms retailers file it under, usually alongside their tiered maxi dresses.
Vintage boho dresses UK
Vintage boho dresses UK means genuinely old pieces — 70s dresses, block-printed cotton, recycled sari fabric — or new dresses cut to that pattern. Look for folklore floral, paisley, crochet lace, vintage cotton and hand embroidery. Sizing runs small and is rarely standard, so the stated measurements matter more here than the label size.
Boho sits between all three and takes the edges off — the same silhouettes, calmer colours, better tailoring.
Boho dress silhouettes
Seven shapes carry the whole category. Read the silhouette before the print — it is what decides whether a dress suits you.
The boho maxi dress
The maxi is the most iconic boho piece. Floor-skimming, usually tiered or A-line, most often in cotton, viscose or chiffon. It is the shape that carries the whole trend, and the one that works hardest — a boho maxi dress is a beach cover-up in July and, with boots and a long coat, a Christmas-party dress in December.
Look for: tiered maxi dress, prairie maxi dress, kaftan style maxi, halter maxi, wrap maxi, flowing maxi, bohemian halter-neck maxi, floral maxi dress, chiffon maxi dress, crochet maxi dress, sleeveless maxi dress, long sleeve maxi dress, one shoulder maxi dress.
The boho midi dress
The midi is the everyday one. It hits mid-calf, which makes it the easiest length to wear with both flat sandals and ankle boots, and the safest for work. A crochet midi dress or a smock midi is the boho version; a wrap midi dress is the version that flatters most shapes.
Look for: crochet trim midi, tiered midi dress, wrap midi dress, shirt dress midi, pleated midi dress, print midi dress, smock midi dress, bardot midi dress.
The boho mini dress
Shorter, younger, festival-ready. A smock dress with balloon sleeves, or a broderie mini with an elasticated neckline. Best with boots rather than heels — the proportion is wrong otherwise.
Look for: boho mini dress, smock dress, tiered mini dress, broderie mini dress, embroidered mini dress.
The wrap dress
Flattering and versatile, mini or midi, printed or plain. The wrap front and the tie waist do the fitting for you, which is why a single wrap dress usually gets worn more than three of anything else. A faux wrap gives the same line without the gape.
The smock and the prairie dress
The smock dress is loose from a shirred or elasticated bodice — no waist definition at all, and completely comfortable. The prairie dress adds a collar, a button front and a tiered skirt. Both are the most literally “boho” shapes on the rail.
The kaftan
A kaftan dress is cut straight and wide with wide sleeves and no fastening. It is a holiday piece in cotton or a going-out piece in silk or velvet. The flowing kaftan and the maxi kaftan are the two versions worth owning.
The tiered dress
Tiers are horizontal panels gathered onto one another. They add volume, movement and a soft A-line without any tailoring. A tiered maxi dress in cotton is the single most reliable boho purchase you can make.
Necklines and sleeves
The neckline and the sleeve are what turn a plain dress into a boho one.
Necklines: square neckline, sweetheart neckline, halter neck, cowl neck, V neck, deep V neck, round neckline, high neckline, bardot neckline, asymmetric neckline, crew neck, scoop neck, tie neck, keyhole neck, split neck, plunge neck, boat neck, elasticated neckline.
Sleeves: bell sleeve, butterfly bell sleeve, angel sleeves, balloon sleeves, cuffed balloon sleeve, puff sleeve, flutter sleeve, frill sleeve, wide sleeves, long sleeve, three-quarter sleeve, short sleeve, cap sleeve, sleeveless, off the shoulder, one shoulder, lantern sleeve, bishop sleeve, kimono sleeve, tiered sleeve, ruffle sleeve.
The bell sleeve and the flutter sleeve are the two that read boho instantly. If a dress is otherwise plain, the sleeve is doing the work.
Fabrics
Boho fabric is natural, soft, and light enough to move.
Cotton is the backbone — organic cotton, Indian cotton, cotton poplin, cotton gauze, cotton voile, cotton lawn. It breathes, it washes, it creases, and the creasing is part of the look.
Linen and linen blend give structure and drape at once. They crease more than cotton and forgive nothing about fit, which is why linen suits the loose shapes best.
Viscose and rayon drape beautifully and cost less than silk. Most high-street boho maxis are viscose. They hang closer to the body than cotton, so size up if you want the floaty version.
Chiffon, georgette and organza are the sheer options — always check the lining. Crepe has a matte, slightly grainy surface that holds a shape.
Crochet, broderie anglaise, eyelet, lace, macramé and cutwork are the openwork fabrics that make a dress read handcrafted. Crochet lace and crochet trim are the two cheapest ways to buy the look.
Velvet, corduroy, wool blend, knit and jersey carry boho into autumn and winter. A knitted midi dress with a tie belt is a boho winter dress even without a single flower on it.
Prints and colours
Prints
Classic boho print means florals, paisley and crochet texture. Beyond that: ditsy floral, oversized florals, all-over floral, bold floral, delicate floral, folklore floral, intricate floral, watercolour floral, border print, patchwork, tie-dye, geometric, aztec, ikat, batik, tribal, polka dot, gingham, stripe, animal print, leopard print, abstract print, embroidered detail, braided embroidery.
The rule with mixing is simple: connect them through the colour palette or the fabric texture and two prints will sit together happily.
Colours
The base is earthy and natural: beige, cream, off-white, ivory, oatmeal, stone, sand, camel, tan, taupe, brown, chocolate, rust, terracotta, mustard, ochre, olive, khaki, sage green.
Depth comes from indigo, navy, denim blue, burgundy, wine, plum, berry, forest green, emerald green.
And there is room for brightness — cherry red, coral, blush pink, dusty pink, powder blue, turquoise, mint, lilac, lavender, marigold. A pop of one bright shade against earth tones is the most reliable boho colour formula there is.
If colour matching is the sticking point, start with a monochrome look in beige or camel and add one printed accessory.
Boho dresses by season
Spring
Lightweight cotton, ditsy floral, a midi length, and a denim jacket over the top. Add trainers or flat sandals. This is the easiest boho outfit of the year.
Summer
The full expression: a floral maxi dress in soft organic cotton, flat sandals or espadrilles, a straw bag or a crochet bag, and a wide-brimmed hat. For hotter days, a broderie mini or a cotton smock dress. A kaftan over swimwear covers the beach.
Autumn
Layer. A printed maxi dress over a fine roll neck, ankle boots, a suede or leather jacket, and a long scarf. Autumn is when boho stops being a summer trend and becomes a way of dressing.
Winter
A knitted midi dress or a velvet maxi, thick tights, knee-high boots, an oversized coat or a shearling jacket. Add a wide belt to stop the layers swamping you. Winter boho dresses are the least-served part of the market, which also makes them the easiest to get right.
Boho dresses for every occasion
Boho dresses for wedding guests
A boho wedding guest dress is a floral midi or maxi in chiffon or crepe, with a smart heeled sandal and a clutch bag. The same dress you wore with flats in the park becomes a wedding outfit with better shoes and one piece of statement jewellery.
Evening and occasion
Take the boho silhouette into a richer fabric — velvet, satin, sequin trim, or an embroidered maxi. A cowl neck or a halter neck maxi in a jewel tone reads occasion without reading formal.
Festival
Mini or midi, boots, a cross-body bag, a denim jacket tied at the waist. Practicality wins: pockets, machine-washable fabric, and nothing that trails on the ground.
Holiday and beach
Kaftan, cotton maxi, or a slip dress over swimwear. Everything that packs small and dries fast.
Casual and everyday
A smock dress with trainers. A shirt dress with a belt. A jersey midi with a cardigan. Boho at its most wearable is a print, a relaxed shape, and no fuss.
Work
A wrap midi in a small print, a shirt dress in linen, or a knitted midi with boots. Keep the print quiet and the length at or below the knee.
Fit: petite, tall, curve and plus size
Petite boho dresses
Under 5ft 3in, a full-length maxi will usually swallow you. Two fixes: buy a petite-cut maxi so the tiers and the waist seam land in the right place, or take the midi instead and let it read as a maxi on your frame. Look for a raised waist seam, a narrower tier depth, and sleeves that end at the wrist rather than past it.
Tall
The opposite problem — a “maxi” arrives as a midi. Check the stated length in centimetres rather than trusting the name, and favour tiered styles, which can be let down more forgivingly than a plain hem.
Plus size boho dresses
Plus size boho dresses are one of the strongest parts of the category, because the silhouettes were never fitted in the first place. A wrap dress, an empire line, or a tiered maxi with an elasticated waist all work without alteration. Avoid a full smock with no waist definition unless you are adding a belt.
Over 50
After 50 boho is about comfort and authenticity. A flowing printed dress, maxi or midi, that flatters the figure and stays breezy. Puff sleeves and a soft V neck carry it. Add a raffia bag, and flat sandals or trainers.
What shoes go with a boho dress?
For a feminine finish: flat sandals, woven sandals, strappy sandals, espadrilles, ballet flats, mules. For evening: a block heel, a kitten heel, a heeled sandal, a wedge.
For edge: ankle boots, knee-high boots, western boots, cowboy boots, chelsea boots, biker boots — suede if you can, and tan or brown before black.
Cowboy boots are the outright boho shoe and work year-round, with a maxi in summer and over tights in winter.
Accessories
Accessories define a boho outfit rather than complete it.
Bags: fringed bag, raffia bag, straw bag, crochet bag, woven bag, tote bag, cross-body bag, clutch bag, bucket bag, suede shoulder bag.
Jewellery: layered necklaces, pendant necklace, hoop earrings, drop earrings, statement earrings, stacking rings, cuff bracelet, beaded bracelet, anklet, coin jewellery, turquoise stones.
Other: wide belt, tan leather belt, concho belt, printed scarf, silk scarf, headband, wide-brimmed hat, fedora, straw hat, kimono, waistcoat, denim jacket, suede jacket, shearling coat, long cardigan, crochet cardigan, shawl, poncho.
Keep the bag in a neutral shade and it goes with everything you own.
How to style a boho dress: five looks
Everyday
cotton midi + trainers + denim jacket + cross-body bag.
Summer holiday
cotton maxi + flat sandals + straw bag + wide-brimmed hat.
Wedding guest
chiffon midi + block heel + clutch bag + drop earrings.
Autumn layered
printed maxi + roll neck + ankle boots + long coat + scarf.
Festival
smock mini + western boots + belt bag + layered necklaces.
Do’s and don’ts
Do
keep to a monochrome base in earthy tones, whites or sage green. Balance print against volume — if the dress is loud, the shape should be simple. Mix boho pieces with modern casual basics.
Don’t
wear everything at once. Avoid fake fabrics that do not breathe or drape. It is not a costume — it is a handful of elements applied to clothes you would wear anyway.
How to care for a boho dress
| Fabric | How to wash it |
|---|---|
| Cotton and linen | machine wash cool, line dry, iron damp |
| Viscose | cool wash, reshape while damp, do not tumble dry — it shrinks |
| Chiffon, georgette and lace | hand wash or use a mesh bag on a delicates cycle |
| Crochet and macramé | hand wash and dry flat, never hang wet |
| Velvet | dry clean or steam |
| Sequin and embroidered pieces | inside out, cool, short cycle |
Creasing is not a fault in cotton or linen. It is what the fabric does.
Where to buy boho dresses in the UK
Independent UK boutiques carry the handmade end — recycled sari dresses, block-printed cotton, small-run embroidery. High-street retailers carry the volume: cotton maxis, smock dresses, broderie minis, tiered midis. Marketplaces cover everything between, and are where the budget end lives — most boho dresses under £40 sit there.
Whichever route you take, three checks before you buy: the fabric composition, the stated length in centimetres, and whether the dress is lined.
Boho dresses sale
Boho is a seasonal buy, so the sale rail follows the weather rather than the calendar: cotton maxis, broderie minis and kaftans drop from late August, knitted and velvet styles from late January. A boho dresses sale is also where the tiered and smocked shapes are safest to buy unseen, because an elasticated or shirred waist forgives a size either way. Check the fabric composition before the discount — a marked-down viscose maxi is still viscose.
The boho dress index
Every term below is one UK retailers actually use on live product pages. Open a section and use it as a search vocabulary — searching the exact phrase finds the dress faster than browsing a category.
Dress and garment index93 terms
Every dress and separate name you will meet on a UK boho rail.
Bbeaded bralette, beaded halterneck top, belt wrap dress, belted mini shirt, belted wool coat, black strapless dress, bohemian dresses, broderie midi dress, brown midi shirt
Ccamel boho jacket, camel trench, casual denim jacket, chiffon maxi skirt, chiffon plus dress, classic midi skirt, co-ord set blazer, corduroy jacket, cotton denim jacket, cotton prairie dress, cotton summer dresses, cotton top, cream ruffle blouse
Ddenim jeans
Eelastane skirt, embroidered crochet bodice, embroidered dresses, embroidery shorts, evening shrug, everyday tops, eyelet embroidered jeans
Ffastening set, flare dresses, flared jeans, floral boho jumpsuit, floral lace dress, floral lace gown, flowy tiered skirt, formal knitwear, fringed jackets, front stripe blouse
Ggreen maxi skirt
Hhalter neck dress
Jjersey bodice dress
Kknitted top
Llace long cover-up, lace mesh corset, leather jeans
Mmaxi kimono, mesh midi skirt, midi kimono, mini strapless dress
Nneckline midi dress
Pparty occasion jumpsuit, patchwork maxi skirt, pattern co-ord set, pocket top, printed shirt
Rrelaxed cardigan, relaxed slim trouser, relaxed tee, round neck jumper
Ssequin wrap bodysuit, sequinned bodice, sheer bodice, shirred bodice, shirred top, short kimono, short length trench, short party dress, short playsuit, shoulder jumpsuit, sleeve knit jumper, slim jean, smocked top, split jumpsuit, strappy slip, stripes trousers, summer maxi skirt, sweetheart wedding dress
Ttan jumpsuit, tan set, tassel maxi dress, tie stretch trousers, trim corset, trim spot top, turquoise kimono
Vvelvet corset, vintage black blouse, vintage slip
Wwine corset, wine gown, wool coat, wrap jumpsuit
Silhouette and length index70 terms
The shape words. Read the silhouette before the print — it decides whether the dress suits you.
Aanimal jacquard halter, animal ruffle maxi, aztec belted mini
Bbardot lace midi, bardot satin midi, bardot stripe peplum, beach backless halter, belt midi, berry maxi, black flared, black velvet midi, blue bodycon, bodice midi, boots slim flared, broderie midi, bronze bodycon maxi, brown peplum, bust satin maxi
Cchiffon tiered midi, classic smocked, corset maxi
Ddrawstring halterneck
Eemerald bardot maxi
Ffloral broderie midi, flowy white maxi, frill hem midi
Ggreen halterneck maxi, green shift
Hhalterneck wrap midi
Kkeyhole back midi, khaki mini
Llace neck maxi, lace wrap midi, leather midi, lined midi, long flare, long sleeve midi
Mmesh halter, metallic gold maxi, midi shift
Nneck shift, neckline midi, neckline oversized
Ooccasion dress flared, occasion halter maxi, oversized boxy
Ppeplum scuba maxi, petite halter, plus ruched midi, pockets wide flare
Rrose frill midi, ruffle floral maxi, ruffle pleated midi
Sscuba crepe midi, shirred broderie mini, shirred top midi, sleeve purple maxi, sleeve shirred midi, sleeves tiered, slip cami midi
Ttassel split maxi
Vvelvet bardot midi, vintage waistline empire
Wwaist bodycon maxi, waist full mini, white lace maxi, wrap front tiered, wrap mini skater, wrap skater mini, wrap tiered
Neckline, sleeve and detail index71 terms
The construction words. These are what turn a plain dress into a boho one.
Aadjustable frill straps, animal frill, asymmetric tie
Bback tie front, belted cowl neck, black balloon sleeve, bodice hem, bow sleeve frill, bracelet sleeve, button keyhole back
Cchiffon cape sleeve, cream long sleeve, cuffs hem
Ffitted closure, flat waist, floaty sleeve, floral crochet neckline, floral waist, frill bell sleeves, frilled halter neck, frilled hem, front bow, full button
Ggathered shoulder, green scoop neck
Hhalterneck dress tie, high waist elastic
Jjacket bust
Kkeyhole ties, kimono sleeve belt, knitwear round neckline
Llace bell sleeves, lace ruffle tie, long button cuff
Mmaxi beach backless, mesh ditsy tie, mini sleeve
Nneck angel sleeves, neck gathered waist, neck lining
Ppocket zipped closure
Rrayon waistline, red piping, round neck, ruched front
Sseam pockets, sequin sleeve, sheer lace sleeves, shirred elasticated back, short cap sleeves, short elasticated cuff, shoulder crew neckline, shoulder sleeve cuff, shoulder straps, sleeve butterfly hem, sleeve wrap neckline, sleeves round neck, soft bow, soft smocking, split back, strap zip, stretchy back
Ttaupe panels, tiered flounce, tiered ruffles
Vvintage sleeve
Wwaist round neckline, waistline drawstring waist, white backless, wide cuffs, winter black tie
Fabric index62 terms
What the dress is made from, and therefore how it hangs, breathes and washes.
Aankle leather
Bbardot lace, beige sandals polyester, blouse velvet, breathable jersey, brown sequins, burgundy embroidered velvet
Ccashmere wool, cotton broderie, cotton polyester spandex, cream neck lace
Dditsy floral cotton, dress blue denim
Eelastane viscose, embroidery linen
Ffloral embroidered silk, floral printed lace, floral sleeves knit, front split satin
Ggold sequin, green crepe
Jjacket polyester, jewellery polyester elastane
Llace crochet, light green velvet, lightweight gauze cotton, long sleeves satin
Mmidi length polyester
Nnavy boucle, navy cotton, navy tencel, neckline lace, nylon spandex
Ooccasion polyester elastane, occasions rayon, occasions rayon nylon, occasions tencel viscose, one shoulder velvet, oversized knit denim, oversized playsuits lace
Ppink satin, plus crochet velvet
Sscarf cotton, scuba crepe, sequin stretch mesh, shirt tencel, shirt viscose, short sleeve lace, shoulder velvet, sleeve knit, stretchy heavy knit, stripe cotton
Ttiered hem chiffon, top white crochet, trainers nylon rayon
Vvintage crochet
Wwaist velvet, white linen, white rose lace, white tassel crochet, wine velvet, wool polyester
Colour index62 terms
The boho palette, from the earthy base to the brights that lift it.
Aabstract turquoise, angel sleeve red, asymmetric top black, asymmetric white
Bbardot midi emerald, bodice blush, breathable brown, buttons black
Ccardigan mustard, classic navy, corset black
Ddeep blue, deep khaki, denim jacket indigo, denim shorts white, dress berry, dress embroidered blue, dress indigo, dress mustard, dress pink, dusty lavender
Eelasticated waist lavender
Ffloral light blue, flutter sleeves brown, front gold
Hhalter gold, hem black
Jjumper black, jumpsuit red
Kkimono ivory, knit black
Mmaxi dress lilac, midi dress lilac, mini dress navy, mini skirt cream
Nneckline gold, neckline mint
Ooccasions deep wine, ombre patterned black
Ppanel top brown, powder red
Rrobe watercolour pink, ruffle red
Sshorts white, skater playsuit black, skirt green, skirt tan, soft black, soft grey, split burgundy, split lilac, stripe gold, structured white, suit white
Ttier summer peach, top light blue, top lilac, top turquoise, trouser navy
Vvintage knit burgundy
Wwaistcoat cream, weddings black
Print and pattern index41 terms
Boho print is organic rather than engineered. These are the names to search.
Aall-over watercolour
Bblack ditsy, blush paisley, boho leopard
Cchiffon floral, classic spot pattern, classic tartan, cotton gingham check, cream cotton spot, cream zebra
Dditsy florals, dress floral, dress lilac abstract
Eembroidered folk florals
Fflared jeans kaleidoscope, floral motifs
Ggingham pattern, green patchwork
Iindigo floral
Kkhaki leopard, khaki paisley, knit cardigan floral
Llace floral, lightweight striped, linen pattern, long slim floral
Mmesh polka, mini dress floral
Oolive patchwork
Rred embroidery
Ssage floral, short sleeve floral, sleeve sequin floral, sleeveless watercolour, sleeves abstract
Ttaupe embroidery, tie front stripe, tie waist stripe, turquoise floral
Wwhite floral geometric, white zebra pattern
Occasion index35 terms
Where each dress is going. Match the fabric to the occasion, not just the shape.
Bbardot evening, birthday party, boho beach, boho winter autumn, boots winter
Ccasual brunch work, casual office, classic summer, cocktail dress occasion
Ddress christmas
Ffaux leather occasion, formal gala
Hhen parties birthday
Jjeans summer, jeans winter, jumpsuit party
Lleopard spring
Mmaxi dress occasion, modern wedding guest
Ppattern geometric occasion, peach beach
Rround wedding
Ssleeve black evening, sleeve sequin evening, smart casual occasions, spring dress festival, summer holidays beach, summer occasions holiday
Wwaistline seam evening, weddings bridesmaid, weddings white parties, weddings work, wedges oversized beach, white lace beach, white tunic beach
Bag, jewellery and layering index95 terms
Accessories define a boho outfit rather than complete it.
Aadjustable rings, adjustable wrap, angel sleeve wrap
Bbags belts gloves, bags jewellery, bamboo bag, belted lace wrap, belts gloves scarves, beret hat, berry wrap, blue brooch, blue ring, blue summer scarf, boho bracelets, boho charm, boho jewellery, boots layered jewellery, bow clutch, brown scarf, butterfly bag, butterfly necklace
Ccream handbag
Ddeep wrap
Eembroidered mesh gloves
Ffaux suede handbag, floral cotton scarf, floral embroidered wrap, front scarf, front split wrap, front wrap
Gglitter clutch bag, gloves scarves, green floral wrap
Hheels jewellery, hippie bracelet
Jjumpsuits jewellery
Kkeyhole pendant, kimono wrap, knitted satchel
Llace kimono wrap, lace scarf, lavender wrap, layered jewellery, leather bracelet, leather mini crossbody, leather strap tote, long gold necklace, long wrap
Mmarigold charm necklace, metallic wrap, midaxi wrap, mini bow pendant, mini wrap
Nnavy floral wrap
Ooccasion party pendant, one wrap
Ppaisley wrap, patterned handbag, pleated clutch bag, pleated dress wrap, plunge neck wrap, puff sleeve wrap
Rraffia straw bag, retro square sunglasses, ruffle hem wrap
Ssatin gathered ring, scarves bags, sequin mini wrap, sequin sleeves wrap, short sleeves wrap, shoulder handbag, silver butterfly necklace, silver earrings, sleeve chiffon wrap, sleeve floral wrap, square clutch bag, stone bracelets, strap tote bag, straw tote, stretch mesh gloves, stripe satin wrap, suede clutch bag, suede scarves
Ttassel boho necklace, tassel earrings, tote bags
Vvintage lace scarf, vintage rose wrap, vintage scarf, viscose wrap
Wwaist strappy wrap, wedding headband, woven handbag, woven necklace, woven tote bag
Fit and size index55 terms
The words that decide whether a dress fits before you try it on.
Aadjustable shirred stretchy
Bback cropped, back hem lightweight, back length cropped, black cropped, black cropped slim, blouses relaxed, breathable cotton relaxed, button front regular
Ccap regular, chiffon plus, classic white lightweight, cream longline
Ddrawstring stretchy, dress tall
Fflowing skirt lightweight, front regular
Hhigh neck relaxed
Iivory regular, ivory relaxed
Kknit slim
Llace dress petite, leggings stretchy, lightweight stretchy, loose flowy lightweight
Mmesh stretch, metallic stretch, midaxi stretchy, midi length petite
Nneck regular, neck relaxed, neck soft lightweight, neckline soft lightweight
Ooccasion plus, occasions lightweight, olive lightweight, oversized cropped
Pplum cropped, pockets soft lightweight, printed stretch
Rrelaxed slim
Ssandals cropped, set petite, short relaxed, shoulder curvy, shoulder relaxed, skirt lightweight, sleeve chiffon plus, soft lightweight, split slim, strap plus, stripe loose
Ttrench lightweight, trousers loose
Wwool lightweight
Footwear index60 terms
What goes on the end of a boho outfit.
Aankle strap heels
Bbelt western, black ankle boots, black boot, black boots, black leather boots, black satin heels, black slides, black suede boots, blue heels, boots loafers, brown heels, buckle collar boot
Ccalf boots, casual sandals, classic slides, cowboy boot, cream embroidered boots
Ddress heel
Eembroidered cowgirl boots, everyday trainers
Fflat chelsea, flat loafers, flat sandal, flat trainers, front ankle boots
Ggold gladiators, gold high heels, gold sandals, gold slingbacks, gold strappy heels, green boots
Hheel mules
Jjeans trainers, jeans white trainers, jumper flats
Kkaftan wedges
Lleather boots, light woven flat
Ooccasions heel
Rretro boots
Ssandals heel, sequin low heel, silver cowboy boots, silver sandal, soft flat, suede boots
Ttall suede boots, top heels, trainers boots, trainers flats
Vvintage belt western, vintage skirt western
Wwhite boots, white heels, white pumps, wine heels, winter ankle boots, winter boot, woven flat
Questions, answered
What is a boho dress?
A relaxed, flowing dress in a natural fabric, usually with an organic print and some handcraft detail — embroidery, crochet, lace or tassels.
What body types look best in boho dresses?
All of them, because the shapes are not fitted. Choose by proportion instead: empire and wrap for a defined waist, tiered and A-line for volume, smock plus a belt if you want shape.
How to dress boho over 50?
A flowing printed midi or maxi, a soft V neck or puff sleeve, flat sandals or trainers, and one natural-material accessory such as a raffia bag.
Are boho dresses still in style?
Yes. It is a recurring rather than a passing trend, and the current version is calmer and better tailored than the 2000s one.
What shoes go with a boho dress?
Flat sandals or espadrilles in summer, ankle or cowboy boots the rest of the year, a block heel for occasions.
Can you wear a boho dress in winter?
Yes — over a roll neck, with thick tights, boots and an oversized coat. Choose knit, velvet or corduroy rather than cotton.
What is the difference between boho and hippie?
Hippie is the louder 60s version — tie-dye, patchwork, beads. Boho is the same silhouettes in calmer colours with better construction.
Are boho dresses good for weddings?
As a guest, yes. A chiffon or crepe floral midi with heeled sandals is a complete wedding guest outfit.
How do I stop a maxi dress overwhelming a petite frame?
Buy petite-cut, or take the midi. Look for a raised waist seam and shallower tiers.