In our fast-paced, modern lives, it’s hard to resist the yearning for a break from the daily hustle and bustle. We all desire those precious moments to wander aimlessly, let our imaginations run wild, and discover uncharted territories. However, how to embrace living artfully and authentically in the moment?
This longing for freedom of spirit is exactly what bohemian style taps into. Characterized by wanderlust inspiration, artisanal craftsmanship, and consciously sustainable practices, the boho design aesthetic captures that nostalgia many feel for living life a little more gypsy and a little less corporate robot.
While we may not be able to fully retreat to an off-the-grid pottery studio or vine-covered tiny house, boho-inspired jewelry allows us to infuse that creative spirit and old-soul style into our everyday. Read on for a complete guide to curating an artfully adventuresome jewelry collection with bohemian flair.
Seek Out Handcrafted Pieces
At its core, boho style celebrates the handmade, in contrast to mass-produced. Seek out small batch pieces crafted using traditional time-intensive techniques: block printed textiles, intricately hammered metals, carved wood or glycerin river stone jewelry. Support independent designers, local artisans, and ethical cooperatives preserving handiwork heritage.
Favor Natural Materials
Avoid plastics and synthetics and instead look for natural elements that connect us to the earth’s beauty: stones like turquoise, agate, quartz or labradorite. Botanicals like engraved wood, coconut shell, and tagua nut. Reclaimed metals, upcycled leather, raw linen and undyed cotton. Materials harvested in ways that give back to communities and the planet capture that boho love of nature and spirit.
Layer Without Limits
Don’t follow rules – let your jewelry reflect your many-faceted personality! Layer contrasting metals like silver, bronze and gold. Stack bracelets galore in varying weights and textures. Combine chains, pendants, charms and talismans from across cultures and eras until your outfit narrates your journey. Play with varying lengths and focal points for visual interest. Boho style finds beauty in the eclectically curated look.
Play with Texture
Better than any outfit, jewelry introduces incredible tactile variety. Consider hammered metals, carved woods, faceted minerals, crocheted fibers and engraved horn for organic texture. Alternate highly polished with matte finishes, rugged with refined. Contrast the warmth of a chunky knit sweater with smooth agate beads, a macrame bracelet over cool linen. Textural jewelry adds depth and interest.
Weave in Vibrant Colors
While earth tones reign supreme, boho style embraces vivid pops of color and pattern for visual vibration. Hand embroidered silks in turquoise, magenta and sunflower yellow. Brilliant powder-coated enameled metals and dichroic glass reflecting rainbow hues. Multi-colored threads woven into tapestry bracelets. Vintage carpet bag earrings. Jewel tones enliven neutral palettes. Save black and whites for your inner city warrior.
Globetrot With Your Accessories
Wanderlust is core to boho. Inject that spirit of adventure with talismans and materials from across the globe: Buddha charms, Balinese batik prints, Oaxacan carved jade, Afghan turquoise beads, Ethiopian silver cuffs. Evocative motifs like the hamsa hand, evil eye, feathers, compass roses conjure faraway places. Mix these exotic pieces with locally sourced ones for that well-traveled look.
Blend Old and New
There’s a reason flea markets and vintage wholesale jewelry shops are boho meccas; the style brilliantly blends past and present for an eclectic, storied look. Seek out Victorian jet mourning jewelry, art deco filigree pieces, North African tribal amber, French link bracelets. Then contrast those antique finds with modern, sculptural designs by indie designers. The fusion feels both curated and serendipitous.
Take Inspiration from Globetrotting Icons
Boho style draws inspiration from iconic women throughout history who forged their own adventurous paths. Channel the fearless spirit of explorer Gertrude Bell, draped in exotic Middle Eastern jewels unearthed on her archaeological exploits. Emulate Frida Kahlo’s love of vibrant colors and handcrafted heritage pieces asseen in her self portraits. Take cues from Parisian dancer Isadora Duncan, whose free flowing dresses and uninsured cashmere shawlsfreed movement and creative spirit. Or style muse Talitha Getty, lounging in caftans and embroidered tunics, layers of hippie chic jewelery atop her tan skin. Their bold lives and style capture the wandering spirit boho emulates.
Curate Your Signature Bohemian Aesthetic
While boho style embraces a common spirit of adventure and artistic living, every free soul’s look is unique. Curate your own creative look by leaning into your distinctive passions and personality. Do you feel most alive outdoors? Incorporate organic elements like carved driftwood rings, geode pendants, feather earrings. Draw energy from color? Go bold with enameled cuffs, or woven kente cloth ties. Love to travel? Infuse faraway places into your style with elephant bracelets from a Kenyan safari, lapis rings from the Marrakesh souks, cowboy boots from a Texas rodeo. Let your jewelry capture and share who you are.
Keep Exploring and Evolving
The greatest thing about bohemian style is that it never stands still. It encourages constant curiosity, growth and reinvention. Continue expanding your horizons and aesthetic. Take a metalsmithing workshop and make your own beads. Discover local jewelry designers pushing boundaries. Learn about Balinese Hinduism and add meaningful new symbols to your pieces. What stones make you feel grounded? What new textures intrigue you? Let your style journey reflect your personal evolution. Wear what energizes you today, not yesterday.
Choose Pieces with Meaning
Bohemian style isn’t just about looking unique, but embodying purpose and emotional resonance. Seek pieces connected to your personal journey like engagement rings or birthstones. Ones that inspire through symbolic meaning: zodiac constellations, healing gemstones, protective amulets. Handcrafted gifts received with love. Or pieces that support causes and sustainability. Let your jewelry reflect your inner light.
Boho is about more than just adorning your wrists and neck. It’s about crafting a life – and personal style – that gives you freedom to channel your own brand of artistic magic each day.
Let your mix of timeless and modern adornments be talismans reminding you to wander new creative paths. To craft a mindset and lifestyle as intricately textured and vibrantly hued as your stack of bracelets.
Your new hand-stamped brass cuff may not mean you’re suddenly moving to a remote Spanish vineyard or Parisian artist loft. But let its comfortable weight on your wrist anchor you to living courageously – whether that means finally taking an improv class, adopting that shelter dog or chatting up a stranger at the farmers market.
Embrace your inner bohemian – and shared longing for a life lived more freely – by beginning each new day with open eyes and spirit, wearing beautiful reminders to live artfully. To choose passion over possessions. To personalize your style with pieces carrying history, symbolism and Earth magic.
Let your jewelry provide the wanderlust inspiration that transports you from the mundane into a life well and creatively lived. One eclectic, bold step at a time.
