How to create the New Boho Chic Look

With all the new exciting trends that came off the New York and Toronto runways recently, one of my favorites is the 'Boho Chic' look. It is a look that, if done right, can be worn for a weekend of lounging around and tripping around vintage fashion stores and markets, but you can also dress it up for at the office.

How can you put together the Boho Chic look without looking like a hobo? Here's Senzu's top tips of how to create this 2011 bohemian, city nomad look that is so trendy at the moment, with items you might already have in your closet:

10. The Shape. Boho chic does not necessarily mean baggy. But the emphasis is on soft, flowing materials that fit comfortably. Dresses, long shirts and embroidered accents are all good-to-go for this trend. To keep it chic, choose 1 item that's more hippie, but keep the overall look neat and trim. You don't want to overdo it and look like a 70's time traveller.

9. The Colors. Neutral with one accent color, like the blue embroidery in the shirt dress in our lookbook, or the bright orange top. Denim is a hot fabric for spring and summer this year, as is white. Bright colors like lime green, orange, fuchsia and yellow are perfect accent colors, but should be used sparingly in an outfit. Natural fabrics are always preferred. To recreate boho chic, go for the best quality pieces you can afford, and you'll be able to wear them with many trends to come.

8. Shoes. You'll want to keep the shoes trim and not too bulky. Great ideas are heeled sandals or wedges, sleek boots. Keep the emphasis on elegant and ladylike, not Birkenstock. Neutral leathers and soft tones are best.

7. Hair. Relaxed flowing tresses, or a sleep ponytail in the nape of your neck gives the perfect balance between boho and chic. Pixie haircuts also work great for the boho chic look. Accented with a small hairpin for the office or an artificial flower or feather for the more daring amongst us will rock the look.

6. Make-up. With your outfit creating most of the color splash, you'll want to keep make-up very natural looking. Think soft beiges and browns, soft pinks and greens. Play up your natural eye color with your shadow, soft pink blush and nude or pale lips keeps the look fresh and grounded. The key is to stay close to your natural skin tones, just enhancing it.

5. The Bag.  Soft and big for casual occasions, or more fitted for the office, you can go either natural tones or play with the accent colors mentioned earlier. There are no hard and fast rules here, except we recommend keeping the shapes soft. Leather, cotton, or woven are all fine, depending on whether you are going more 'boho' or more 'chic'.

4. Creativity & Individuality. Make your look YOU. If you're naturally a 'boho chic' dresser, try this updated 2011 look with the candy-color accents and go for bolder accessories. If you're usually a more conservative dresser, try adding small bohemian accents to your usual look to get used to the trend. You'll love it!

3. Basic Pieces. If you have any of these in your closet, you can recreate this look. Or you can use this as a perfect excuse to go shopping! Denim shorts, shirt or dress. Linen anything. Maxi dress, the peasant shirt and skirt, caftan or tunics, boots, wedges, wide relaxed belts, candy-coloured accent pieces, and of course lots of boho chic inspired jewelry.

2. Putting it all together. Make sure your outfit matches. You don't want to look like you tried too hard or are wearing everything in your closet. Keep the layers minimal, one or two is perfect. Think maxi dress with fitted jacket, or pantsuit with flowing embroidered blouse.  

1. Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize. Accessorizing is vital to create a boho chic look. It makes or breaks it, so choose with care. Natural materials such as woods, stones, pearls and crystals are great. Go for long necklaces, layered or leather bracelets and chunky rings. Earrings should be the opposite of your outfit: if your outfit is flowing and long, go for smaller hoops. If your top half is more fitted, try larger earrings, like Senzu's large double hoop earrings, pearl or dangling leaf/feather inspired earrings. Experiment with mixing and matching your jewelry. Senzu has a collection of over 220 unique and beautiful jewelry pieces that will help you put this look together fabulously ;-)

Have fun with the Boho Chic look and style up your day,

Cristel
Your Senzu Style Insider.
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Fashion Week Look Book III- Giovanna Randall's Honor Inspired

Our third and final Fashion Week Designer Inspired installment features designer Giovanna Randall with her label Honor, which made a huge debut just a year ago. She's already opening her flagship store in the prestigious Meatpacking District in New York City, at which Fashion Week this elegant and classy design made its first appearance.

Backstage at the show, Randall explained to NBC the inspiration behind the collection: "I see my muse as having been in Paris and lived there and been inspired by her surroundings...". Marie Claire describes her fall collection as packed with '70s-inspired chiffon cocktail numbers and minimalist-chic coats, all cast in a palette of neutral grays and camels punched up with the occasional hit of emerald or marigold. Randall told Marie Claire she had been inspired by the concept of "bound movement" and of the uptown girl displaced — picture a Parisian femme stranded in the Wild West. "It's all about texture-blocking and protective layering," Randall noted. "This girl wants to be free, but she's limited by her surroundings."

This Senzu Style Insider loves the cut, pale colors and soft fabrics used, which flatter every woman's shape. A perfect base to show off elegant jewelry! Her designs are suitable for all ages, and even her runway show was attended by everyone from celebrities, business women to fashion-conscious moms with kids in tow.

In this look-book image, we've combined a design from Giovanna Randall's signature label Honor of this year's New York Fashion Week with some of Senzu's jewelry collection pieces as well as other accessories such as footwear, purse and cosmetics that will allow you to recreate this on-trend runway look.

Watch this space for all the latest from Toronto's Fashion Week Runways, happening right now! Our own Sumitra Mahakanok is on the scene to report and represent Senzu.
Styling it up,

Cristel, Your Senzu Style Insider.
Featured in this article are the following Senzu jewelry: