Are you a real gypsy?
The bohemian: between myth and reality
Today, being a true bohemian no longer has the meaning it could inspire in the 19th century. In the past, the term bohemian was associated with the vagabond or even the charlatan. The meaning of bohemian has evolved since then, and today it has taken a completely different turn. A life close to the nature, a artist, that is what the true bohemian really embodies.
The bohemian life is not a hermit's life!
✌️ A life philosophy: freedom!
Originally, the trend of bohemian life was to reject the lifestyle model of the bourgeois society of the 19th century. But this life philosophy has evolved over the centuries, today, one might say that it is perhaps about rejecting the capitalist lifestyle? However, bohemians are above all in search of a life peaceful, of rejecting the pressure imposed by a fast-paced life.
However, the bohemian is not a hermit, she does not live reclusively from society, she is an integral part of it but aspires to a form of carefree freedom. For her, the means to achieve the happiness is to be free. This freedom is not acquired without effort, and one must first rid oneself of artifices. That is why the bohemian style is a style light and fluid. One should not adorn oneself with heavy elements because density keeps the bohemian prisoner of a lifestyle to which she does not aspire.
The life philosophy of the bohemian is marked by art. Indeed, the bohemian lifestyle includes the practice of various forms of art: the literature, the poetry, the sculpture, the paint. However, the works of bohemian art all lead towards a particular artistic movement.
✌️ Art for art's sake: the art of the bohemian par excellence
The bohemian is in search of an artistic ideal. However, bohemian art does not seek the didactic aspect; bohemian art is not there to teach those who enjoy the work. It is above all, in art history, the reflection of the theory of "art for art's sake" attributed to the artists of the 19th century. This concept counters the aspirations of the romanticism. Art for art's sake is an artistic concept that rejects moralizing and didactic ends of art. It is an informal movement that aspires to be self-sufficient. Writers like Théophile Gautier, Edgar Allan Poe, Benjamin Constant wish to make their art an end in itself, that is to say, not to compose their works of anything other than their beauty. It is the idea that art should just be beautiful and must speak for herself without boasting of didactic artifices. This concept can also be found in Aestheticism, a movement that developed mainly in the United Kingdom at the end of the Victorian era.
The bohemian advocates above all a return to the essentials through art. She is in search of a form of carefreeness, the only means for her to reach the freedom and thus subsequently to achieve the happiness. In this dimension, the famous poem by Arthur Rimbaud, taken from the collection Les Cahiers de Douai, Ma Bohème, exalts this quest for carefreeness. The character described, probably Rimbaud himself wanders the empty spaces. The lexical field of this poem pertains to dreams and indifference, and as the poem unfolds, the protagonist fills with detachment until he finds himself in deep introspection, closest to his heart, which then symbolizes that he has managed to achieve happiness.
The bohemian outfit, a blend of lightness and fluidity
No, the bohemian outfit is not reserved just for festivals! 🎉
It is true that in the collective imagination, the bohemian outfit is associated with festivals such as Coachella, or the Woodstock festival, and that bohemian fashion is associated with collections spring summer. It is true that at festivals, the bohemian style is found in front of all the internships. Between chunky knits, outfits made of crochet, maxi dress and ethnic patterns, the bohemian style is the very trendy style to adopt for going to festivals.
But the true bohemian knows how to match her outfits for all occasions and all seasons. The bohemian style is inspired by many eras, but the dominant materials, patterns, and colors persist from one bohemian style to another. Always favor the length, so to be a true bohemian, think about filling your closet with a long bohemian dress, a tunic or a loose blouse, embroidered shirts. Your wardrobe, in addition to being on top of current trends, will be a wardrobe made of casual.
For summer shoes, we often find Greek inspirations with the famous gladiators, these sandals with thin laces. To be a true bohemian, you should favor oversized pieces: a large flowing dress, a big denim jacket with fringes. The voluptuousness of the bohemian style is all about loose clothing and flared.
Then, to be a true bohemian, choose your colors wisely and don't be afraid to mix them. For a bohemian chic style opt for a color that leans towards pastel like beige or nude with a little embroidery or colored lace. Also think about accessorizing the centerpiece of your outfit with a more colorful garment like ochre.
The activities of a true bohemian
The bohemian life is a life made of inspiration. The bohemian aspires to many things. As we have already mentioned, she is in a perpetual quest for freedom. To feel good, the bohemian needs to be as close as possible to the nature.
The bohemian is close to nature, through her style and way of life
The bohemian style, just like her activities, is marked by theinfluence of nature. The colors themselves are colors derived from pristine nature. The terracotta recalls the clay of the famous Antelope Canyon gorges in California, the beige and pale yellow evoke the warmth of fine sand. The khaki and all shades of green remind us of the great forests that stretch across Europe or the American continent. The materials used for the bohemian dress should lean towards natural materials or the illusion of natural materials. The cotton, silk, fur, but also crochet or weaving to recall ethnic craftsmanship. Finally, the prints used also evoke nature, between floral patterns or animal patterns, a wide range of prints is available to you.
Finally, as already mentioned, the true bohemian is an artist. Her art is inspired by nature. For the visual arts, it is the patterns, colors, and materials used that evoke the landscapes. For literary arts, it is the vocabulary and figures of speech that testify to the attachment of the bohemian to nature.
You will have understood, the true bohemian is above all someone who is free, inspired and finding a form of fulfillment in art. She approaches the happiness provided that this is as close as possible to the nature.