The bohemian fashion trend, rooted in the counterculture movements of the 1960s and 1970s, is experiencing a revival on contemporary runways with fresh designs from brands like Chloé, Ralph Lauren, and Isabel Marant. From suede minidresses to soft ruffles and layered styles, boho dresses are defining the spring/summer 2025 and autumn/winter 2025 seasons.

The bohemian fashion trend, known for its free-spirited, loose-fitting silhouettes and rooted in the counterculture movements of the late 1960s and 1970s, is experiencing a notable revival on the contemporary fashion runways. According to Who What Wear UK, this reinvention of boho dresses and other boho-style garments highlights how fashion trends are continuously reinterpreted and reincarnated rather than disappearing altogether.

Bohemian clothing first emerged as a form of social subversion, challenging traditional norms related to gender, race, and class with its signature peasant blouses, bell-bottom jeans, and, most notably, boho dresses. The aesthetic reached widespread popularity in the mid-2000s with the boho-chic movement, particularly popularized by fashion insiders and celebrities like Rachel Zoe, Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, and the Olsen twins. Designers like Chloé and Isabel Marant were instrumental in bringing this style to the forefront during that era.

In recent developments, Chloé’s new creative director, Chemena Kamali, has been credited with reinvigorating the boho trend, particularly with her spring/summer 2024 collection. Speaking to Who What Wear UK, it was noted that Kamali’s debut collection ignited fresh excitement for the aesthetic, inspiring other brands to incorporate key elements like suede pieces, chunky jewelry, and gladiator sandals into their lines. This has made boho dresses especially prominent among the options for embracing the trend.

Runway shows for spring/summer 2025 and autumn/winter 2025 have prominently featured boho dresses, signaling a substantial return to this fashion style. Major designers and brands including Ralph Lauren, Chloé, Isabel Marant, Saint Laurent, Zimmermann, Ulla Johnson, Gabriela Hearst, and others have showcased bohemian-inspired collections.

At Ralph Lauren’s S/S 25 runway show, for instance, the evolution of bohemian style was evident through a Western lens. The collection utilized crochet, fringe, and plissé textures to soften traditionally rigid silhouettes, creating relaxed, free-spirited boho dresses. Some of the recommended pieces for adopting this style include the Free People Sea La Vie Midi shirtdress (£118) and the Mango Lace Dress with Draped Neck (£60), noted for their ’70s-inspired looks.

Similarly, Chloé’s S/S 25 collection continued to embrace volume, versatile layering, and vibrant colors under Kamali’s direction. Notable pieces highlighted include the & Other Stories Flounced Mini Dress (£125) and the CHLOÉ Pleated Organic Silk-Mousseline Midi Shirt Dress (£3,525), praised for its delicate ivory silk fabric and refined design elements.

Isabel Marant’s S/S 25 collection pays tribute to the brand’s foundational role in the boho-chic movement with suede minidresses adorned with fringe, silk shift dresses featuring monarch motifs, and billowing maxi dresses detailed with braiding. Fashion enthusiasts are encouraged to explore the festival-ready Reformation Cleodora Dress (£248) or the tiered ruffle maxi dress from AllSaints (£229) for subtle yet stylish boho touches.

Saint Laurent also integrated bohemian influences into its S/S 25 collection, mixing hippie-inspired elements such as ruffled maxi dresses with oversized motorcycle jackets and chunky wooden accessories. Pieces like the AJE Protea Ruffled Crepe De Chine Maxi Dress (£535) underscore how boho styles can pair with edgier outerwear for a compelling contrast.

Zimmermann’s S/S 25 collection brought a futuristic perspective to the trend, showcasing dresses in semi-sheer chiffon silk that drape lightly across the body, reinterpreting boho in a fresh, airy way. Standout items include the Wednesdays Girl Brown Ruffle Sleeve Midi Smock Dress (£30) and the more intricate Eden Frayed Embellished Striped Cotton-Blend Gauze Midi Dress by ALIX OF BOHEMIA (£920).

For the cooler seasons, designers like Ulla Johnson and Gabriela Hearst prove that boho fashion extends beyond spring and summer. Ulla Johnson’s F/W 25 collection, for example, features autumnal shades and classic ruffled frocks in olive green, such as the Senna Tiered Crochet-Trimmed Cotton-Voile Mini Dress (£470), while Gabriela Hearst’s A/W 25 lineup highlights dark romanticism with semi-opaque black eyelet balloon-sleeve dresses, combining the classic aesthetic with winter-appropriate details.

Chloé’s A/W 25 show further explores the theme by softening voluminous ruffles into lightweight satin and shifting from pastels to jewel tones, enabling easier transitional wear. Attendants at this season’s collections might consider dresses like the Réalisation The Aurora 1999 Dress (£250) or Mint Velvet’s Black Crochet Trim Maxi Dress (£120) for stylish fall boho options.

Zimmermann’s A/W 25 collection also continues the boho narrative with a vintage twist, replacing gauzy fabrics with woven laces and introducing Victorian-inspired silhouettes. Dress recommendations include the DÔEN Katarina Satin-Trimmed Corded Lace Midi Dress (£445) and For Love & Lemons Baby Daisy Poplin Midi Dress (£270), both noted for their elegant take on the bohemian style.

Overall, the resurgence of boho dresses across high-profile runway shows and designer collections reflects the enduring appeal of this fashion domain. The trend incorporates everything from the florals and ruffles of its historic roots to new forms inspired by contemporary aesthetics, providing a diverse range of options for consumers looking to integrate bohemian style into their wardrobes in the coming seasons.

Source: Noah Wire Services