Girls

The New York Times has called it ‘Bobo’ (Bohemian Bourgeois), Harrods in London has termed it ‘Cosmo Boho’ (Cosmopolitan Bohemian); regardless of the name, the urban bohemian look is turning up around every corner.

‘We are easing into a bohemian look you can wear everywhere,’ said Karen Bakke, chair of the department of fashion and design technology at Syracuse University. ‘You can see it in the jewelry, the cut of the clothing and the fabric.’

Bakke added that the style is a sort of urban, rich-hippie look with international influences. The look gained national attention when The New York Times named Mary-Kate Olsen a ‘fashionista’ for her forays into this metropolitan, wealthy spin on the more traditional bohemian gypsy look.

Boom Babies owner Lorraine Koury said her store has always carried a 1960s inspired look similar to this, with peasant blouses and skirts coming to the knee. She added that in addition to the ’60s hippie look making a comeback, the 1940s and ’50s flirty, feminine look has also become popular along with a ’60s mod look, while the ’80s trend has backed off.

One reason vintage-inspired looks come around every few years is that the clothes are relatively easy to find and inexpensive, Bakke said. She added that the popularity of this look is in part because it is so forgiving.

Layering jewelry, wearing more than one necklace and bracelet at a time – especially big, beaded jewelry – is a great way to accessorize this outfit, Bakke said. Everything from flat beaded sandals to moccasins, and from metallic slides to wedges can be seen topping off this look. John Vavalo, owner of J. Michael Shoes, said that moccasins, flat, Middle East influences sandals and Steve Madden flat slides have been selling well.

‘However you want to put yourself together is how you should put yourself together,’ Bakke said.

Boys

The colorful look popularized by vacationers to St. Tropez, France and South Beach has taken a street-wise turn to create a twist on the standard jeans and T-shirt look men have come to embrace.

The look is characterized by bright colors, such as acid greens, hot pinks and turquoise, which J. Michael Shoes has started carrying in polo-style shirts for men. This season greens, yellows and oranges will be really big, said Lorraine Koury, owner of Boom Babies. She added that men are definitely incorporating more color into their wardrobes, often coming in the form of a twist on the old jeans and T-shirt standard.

Karen Bakke, chair of the department of fashion and design technology, said that while most men find a look when they’re juniors in college and stick to it, there is a definite avant-garde movement for men characterized by this new, colorful style.

John Vavalo, owner of J. Michael, agreed that men have definitely started incorporating more color into their outfits.

Some brands to check out while searching for the perfect hot yellow polo or green and pink striped button-down are Ben Sherman and the retro-inspired Penguins.

Another place besides shirts where this brightly hued look is showing up is on men’s feet. Brightly hued Puma sneakers, Converse All-Stars and Adidas, in hot oranges and greens, shocking reds and blues with yellow and bright white accents line the tables at J. Michael.

While last year saw the reign of the trucker hat, this year the traditional baseball cap is back, Vavalo said. The traditional sports team baseball cap is definitely back as well as more brand-conscious Lacoste or Kangol.

‘There is far more diversity in hair and fashion,’ Bakke said. ‘People are up for a lot more experimentation than 20 years ago.’

Published on April 13, 2005 at 12:00 pm