A thread for those who want boho chic but end up looking like pigeon lady in Home Alone.

[spottybaghottyhag]

I'm very aware everyone on Mumsnet is beautiful, stylish and model like. This thread is for the outliers

I love a certain look online, but unfortunately boho chic on a model translates on the real me as homeless pigeon feeder lady in Home Alone. I've tried Aladdin trouser things (can't remember the name, I'm that far off the mark!), cashmere wraps (my teen DC said I looked like an old sofa) and a colourful, chunky knit that made me look like a wannabe circus performer. I'm not aiming to look fashionable or stylish, but something a bit more put together rather than eco warrior jumble sale shopper would be nice.

Can anyone else relate?

I've found my people! especially OP as I too have failed at every "look". doesn't stop me wasting/spending money trying to find my style. I fear i have none 😢. going out for lunch today, send me good style vibes please

I read on one of those style type websites that Bohemians are natural style types crossed with romantic style type. So they are natural, relaxed, artistic types and very feminine. Have wavy hair, ethnic jewellery and are sexy, glamorous but earthy.

Don't know if that helps but it's how I interpret it now.

Thanks, OP, I LOVE this thread. So refreshing to actually be self deprecating for a good laugh and not get piled on by other posters for being ‘body shaming’ and ‘xenophobic’.

Mu style advice is, think of the proportions. So if you are wearing Aladdin trousers, wear a fitting top that would accentuate your waist and balance the largeness of the bottom half. Also wear chunky boots, not dainty sandals or trainers.

I’d like to go for an arty eclectic Mrs Brown from Paddington look. Sort of Boho adjacent? Mum Boho? Tweedy & colourful. Bought some patterned linen MC Hammer pants, on holiday, not sure where I’m going wrong with it all… Ha ha.

Other pointers I remember are fluid fabrics (not stiff), patterns such as paisley, lots of accessories and dangle earrings, stacked bracelets and chunky and natural knits

Mum Boho = Moho 😁

😆

My son once told me that I was too old to wear a cardigan ‘ironically’ 😂

Little git.

Moho is short for motorhome 🤣🤣

@Teado
I am reminded of the Classics thread here where someone tried a black leather jacket and looked “like Suzi Quattro’s fat Nan”.
Brilliant 🤣
I know exactly what you mean.

There are looks called Dark Academia or Cottage Core (I think?). Think there are threads on here too for those styles.
I also find Pinterest quite good for ideas - I often have similar clothes to the outfits on there but they put them together in ways that I hadn’t thought of.

Oh I love this thread already. I am currently wearing an oodie, so I look like a big marshmallow, but unfortunately when I wear things more stylish I also look like a big marshmallow. I have a lovely fair isle jumper that I bought to channel Scandi Noir vibes, and I just look like a knitted teddy bear.

I hear you sister 😂. I bought a cream flying jacket with a beautiful furry lining. I look like a second hand car salesman.

I’d like the perfect hat. A slouchy, cutesy, boho adornment to my (menopausally surprising) curly hair. There is no hat in the world that looks good on me. Every single style eliminates any facial shape I might have had and leaves me looking like a potato. Mashed potato.

😁😁😁😁😁😂

Brilliant thread. The descriptions are making me giggle. I'm fast approaching 60, love the Boho look but it just isn't me. Short, meno dumpy, greying short hair. No makeup.
I'm more stereotypical butch lesbian look, and I'm a straight, very conventional woman.
I never found a 'style', probably a bit late now. So I will admire from afar.🙈😂

Yes @imfabul0us Dark Academia is a look I tried for a while but it's quite a lot of work to find things that suited me even though I loved the concept.

Now I just have lots of plain basic (elastic waist) trousers and leggings and wear nice shirts or jumpers with them. I'm comfy and happy enough.

But every so often I do buy some outrageous item in the belief that it will make me look fabulous - it never does

What is Boho?
Either way, I look like a sack of shit most days. Nothing looks good on me, ever. I avoid clothes shopping for that very reason, but would love to look more polished/put together... or even just have more clothes options

Oh God, I tried the pashmina wrap look. Was aiming for casual boho chic but looked like Paddington Bear’s Aunt Lucy.

Hannah Hauxwell is my style icon

I followed the dark academia thread for a while. I'd look less edgy lecturer and more butch lesbian prison officer.
As for a chunky/clunky boot, it's a definite no. Think of a tree trunk wearing shoes.

I got a lovely white long padded gilet with a hood in a sale last year. Looks gorgeous on the model. I look like the Michelin Man.

That line is still one of the most favourite things I’ve ever read on MN. I chuckled for days after.

Oooh .... .my people!

My favourite one was the poster who'd just got her hair permed and thought it was lovely, then her male neighbour? said "look who it is, Colonel Gaffafi".

I keep thinking I’ll channel Claudia’s Traitors outfits…. Totally skipping over the fact I’m 5.8 snd size 18! 🙈🙈🙈🙄