Getting A Casually-Elegant Boho Look

Spring officially arrives tomorrow. Say what? Yup, spring is here no matter what yourĀ weather forecast says and I am more than ready. Sunny weather, warm days, bring it on. Our trip to Mexico has me already thinking about looks I want to try when the weather warms up at home. I’m seeing tons of brightly colored, heavily patterned things here with a boho vibe which I’d love to wear. In Mexico.

The problem is, I’m not a huge fan of wearing pattern, bright colors and rustic materials so I know I’d never wear them at home. I never say never with fashion but I do have that brightly colored bag I bought here 4 years ago and have never used it.

Jennifer of A Well Styled Life wearing linen duster over linen pants and white tee
linen vest similarwhite tee similargray wedge sandalsstriped pants similar

This outfit is as boho as I usually get. Color coordinated neutrals and nothing rustic. I did layer 2 silver necklaces but that’s as wild as it gets. I’ve come to terms with how linen wrinkles but it’s taken me some time to get there and I still prefer how itĀ looks before I sit down:)

Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life transitioning her wardrobe with linen and cotton
linen vest similarwhite tee similargray wedge sandalsstriped pants similar

Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life wearing Columbia faux straw hat, line vest and linen pants

My hat appears to be straw but it’s a paper/polyester blend that survives being crammed into a suitcase and comes out looking crisp and new. That’s me…crisp as possible and polished whenever possible. So what sort of earthy, boho-inspired accessories will fit the casually elegant look I prefer? Things with modern shapes, smoother textures and refined finishes.

I’m not finding that here so I hopped online and found some I would wear.

bead drop boho earrings from Nordstrom on A Well Styled Life
bead drop earring

These earrings have a casually-elegant boho feel. The shape is modern and sleek and the wood gives them a boho vibe. The bead is wrapped with a polished thread which isn’t rustic and the neutral color will go with everything.

wicker tote

This wicker tote is made from finely woven polyurethane with wicker accents. The delicate texture would be smooth and the sheen helps step it away from being rustic. I love the round shape replicated in the handle.

Raffia mules

These Rafia mules are almost too rustic for me but I like them so would wear them with white jeans or flowy pants. I don’t see me wearing these with a dress, but maybe a summer maxi skirt.

Here’s a few other thingsĀ I would consider casually- elegant and boho.

 

Do you like the boho look?

How do you make it your own?

Thanks for reading and have a great day.

36 Comments

  1. Love the Boho look on you Jennifer. Iā€™m only 5ft tall, but think I could carry it off.

  2. Wow! I love everything about this outfit! You look positively amazing.

  3. Yes to boho but only so much. Colour and accessories make it fun. Love what you are wearing but neutrals wash me out so I try and figure out how to translate those outfits into something I can wear. I would like to wear linen more but truthfully wrinkles annoy me. I have two pieces that I rarely wear. Not a problem since not as much need for it in Canada. ????

    1. Itā€™s great that you know how neutrals make you feel. Iā€™m a big proponent of dressing by instinct. I love and miss Canada. My husband keeps suggesting we move back

  4. Iā€™m a tailored type. Iā€™ve never worn boho. Itā€™s not that I donā€™t like it, itā€™s just not my style. You look wonderful and cool on a hot Mexican day. My neighbour, and friend, wears a lot of loose linen pieces in summer. She always looks chic.

    1. I hear you. Iā€™m stepping out of my style comfort zone more often than ever before and finding my way. Wear what you love.

  5. You look great! A few years ago, I wouldn’t have avoided going full boho, but now that my hair is white, I’m afraid that translates too much to “aged hippie.” LOL. I still love boho, but I do it in smaller doses. An embroidered top or bottom with a solid one. Black column with a wild, colorful jacket. Colorful earrings and bracelets. My rule is one boho at a time.

    1. Thatā€™s an interesting take in boho Kay and clever. Wear what sparks joy for you!

  6. I love this outfit on you, Jennifer. Super cute for the resort life. Itā€™s a keeper!

  7. Now that is an outfit I would love to wear and it looks perfect on you. I enjoy wearing beige as it is very cool looking in the hot weather and a nice departure from white.

  8. I love your look today….Iā€™m really liking neutrals more and more although I also love bright coral and turquoise in the spring. I will wear a patterned kimono but Iā€™m getting away from some of the more extreme patterns I used to like. Really preferring simply understated neutrals. I like whote a lot in warm weather but I have 2 beagle puppies so I think I might have to move toward beige!

    1. Lol! Yes Patti, always lean toward colors that match your dog if it sheds. Every time I visit my daughter with her Pug, I regret wearing black

  9. Carol Gilbert says:

    Love, love, love everything about this outfit on you! You look chic and expensive!

    1. Iā€™m so glad you like the look! Itā€™s a favorite of mine.

  10. Jennifer that outfit looks great on you! I know what you mean about color and pattern. It just isn’t my thing either, but I love texture and those mules are to die for! Not practical but beautiful. I could build an entire outfit around them!

    1. I think I could too Cindy. Stay tuned. I see flowy
      pants in a smooth fabric and subtle colors for me.

  11. I like this look a lot. I would wear it. Well done!

  12. Simply stunning! You look fabulous!

  13. Susan Gowan says:

    Love the muted colours on you. I like these crisp cool fabrics and it is a casual take on bogo.Bring on spring!

  14. Deborah Broughton says:

    Love this outfit…made me smile! Yes it will be spring!

  15. Hi!
    How tall are you? I do like the looks you put together, but seeing as I am 6,2ft find it almost impossible to replicate in long enough clothing.
    I live in Canada.

    1. Hi Gina. Iā€™m 5ā€™4ā€ so quite a bit shorter than you. It is hard to find clothes for tall women. I can always shorten things but you canā€™t add length.

      1. Loft, Gap, Banana Republic, Reitmans, Eddie Bauer, Long tall Sally,AQ/AQ,Landā€™s End, JCrew, Topshop, New York &Company, and Ann Taylor are only a few who carry tall – 5ā€™9ā€ and over. For jeans – NYDJ ( my fav) & Paige Jeans are tall. These are all available in Canada. Hope this helps. Iā€™m 5ā€™8ā€.

      2. Thank you Joanna. These are resources so many readers need to know.

  16. I think boho looks great in spring/summer and so does you. Flowy, light layers, loose amd relaxed fitting clothes go hand in hand with warm sunshine. I think the trick is getting the proportion correct.

    1. Sorry, I meant to write, ‘so do you’ – i.e, look great in your boho outfit.

  17. Ruby Oxford says:

    All looks great on you but at 5ā€™ tall may be too much for me. Love your jewelry as always. Where did you get the necklaces? If I could find a long petite vest I would buy it but so far no luck. Has to be light weight like linen as we live in New Orleans.

    1. I inherited one of the necklaces from my mom. She took all her charms off a bracelet and put them on a necklace. The other I picked up in a discount store 25-30 years ago. Vests are pretty easy to hem do you might try that.

  18. You have such a sophisticated style! I love it! And I love the outfit you are wearing in this post! I do like the boho style, though I typically pair it with skinny jeans. I don’t wear it all the time, but I do wear it often. I love the bright floral or patterned kimonos or dusters with a simple tee and jeans. And I love the booties that have sort of a western vibe. And I love a boho bag maybe with some fringe or a tassle on it. It feels like ‘happy’ clothing.

    1. Thatā€™s a great way to describe boho, Amy. Happy clothes! I love the bright colors and patterns on others.

  19. Love your look today. The linen pants and long, sleeveless linen cardi look cool, yet chic.
    You have the touch…..

    1. I love the outfit! Just need to find the long vest in that color!

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