What Does Boho Mean?

The word ‘Boho’ is a short form of ‘Bohemian’, a term that originates from the French word ‘bohémien’, which was used to describe the Romani people, also known as Gypsies, who migrated from Bohemia in the Czech Republic. Over the years, ‘Boho’ has taken on a wider cultural, artistic, and stylistic resonance that reflects a particular way of life, attitude, and mindset.

The Boho movement began in the 19th century in France, where artists, intellectuals, and writers, tired of the encroaching materialism of the bourgeoisie, began adopting a lifestyle more akin to the Romani people. This included a non-traditional, carefree lifestyle with a focus on the artistic, a celebration of the handmade and the natural, and an embrace of the eclectic and unconventional.

Modern-day ‘Boho’ retains much of this spirit. Today, the term ‘Boho’ is most often associated with a fashion style that is layered, flowing, and expressive, often featuring natural fabrics, handcrafted items, and a blend of patterns and colors that are distinct from more mainstream, high-street fashion.

However, the Boho lifestyle doesn’t stop at fashion. It also influences interior design, music, literature, and philosophy, infusing them with the ideal of living a free-spirited, open, and creative life. Boho can be seen in the casual yet artistic arrangement of an interior space, the dreamlike lyrics of a singer-songwriter, the innovative styling of an independent fashion designer, or the thought-provoking words of a poet or philosopher. The Boho ethos celebrates the unconventional and the individual, valuing self-expression and freedom over conformity and material wealth.

White Bohemian, for instance, while sounding like a fashion label, actually refers to a lifestyle aesthetic that is marked by an air of breezy, relaxed, and eco-friendly crafts, designs, and living spaces. In the Boho world, a ‘White Bohemian’ denotes an individual or a style that draws its inspiration from natural elements, effortlessly blends functionality and aesthetics, and displays an inclination towards earthy, whimsical, and pastel or white hues.

Just like Bohemians of the past, the modern-day White Bohemian prefers handmade over industrially-made, uniqueness over uniformity, and creativity over conventionality. Craft markets, thrift stores, and art bazaars are their playgrounds, and they find joy in the imperfect, the rustic, and the old, seeing beauty in their stories and character.

In essence, being a boho or a White Bohemian is about more than just how one dresses, decorates their home, or spends their free time. It is about adopting a holistic way of life that values creativity, free expression, and a return to nature and the handmade. It is about moving away from the materialistic, homogenized world and creating space for individuality, diversity, and authenticity. The Boho lifestyle, then, is one that encourages us to live artfully, consciously, and with our hearts wide open to the world and its myriad of experiences.