Go Boho or go home

You may have noticed that there is quite a lot of boho going on and that embroidery is everywhere this spring – even on places you may least expect it. Now while I can appreciate the craftiness, it is something that for me smacks of the beach and celebs on the festival circuit. So if this is not your look (it’s not really mine although I need to channel some inner boho for a summer trip to Ibiza) then how do you do tassels, embroidery and beading without looking all wrong?

I always find that footwear is the easiest way of dipping your toe (pardon the pun) into a trend that you aren’t totally sure is for you. A small nod to the theme but a nice way of updating your look and nothing too scary so as to be laughed at by your loved ones.

So first up are trainers, yep – embroidered ones. Sound a bit grim? Well think again. (And as an aside let me tell you what grim trainers are – the upholstered Adidas ones my husband bought in attempt to nail the ‘youth’ look and which actually wouldn’t look out of place used as material for a sofa from DFS. He ignored my advice on that front amid emphatically asserting that I didn’t know a fashion-trainer if I saw one. My love, this one is for you).

Modern silhouette + traditional floral embroidery = cool: Flare Lace Up Embroidered Trainers £44 from Office.

Or in the pink.

Boden’s Hebe Leather Trainer £95 also comes in an embroidered version.

 

Espadrilles are to me, the epitome of boho and beach in one lovely package. But make them modern and you actually have something that works well beyond the short-wearing zone.

These Lucky Espadrilles £42 from Office with their nude leather and black toe cap look slick enough to wear with a pair of chinos and blazer as well as a floaty summer dress.

Or for something a bit sturdier, go for a style that combines an espadrille with a slider like these Guest Espadrilles £70 from Dune. They come in nude, white and navy and would not look out of place with some tailored trousers.

More feminine now with these Lace Espadrilles £25 from M&S which also come in black.

Accessorize also does a very similar style for £19 in black and cream but doesn’t have the Insolia Flex thingy that the M&S ones do.

Moving away from lace to cutwork and Office has these Alp Espadrilles in cream floral leather £39.99.

Who doesn’t love the idea of disco boho (newly coined fashion term)? If so, add a bit of sparkle to your espadrilles. A subtle bit here with these Toe Cap Espadrilles £25 from M&S.

A bit more glitz with these Lucky Espadrilles £42 from Office.

Or go all out with these Glitter Espadrilles £25 in gold and black from Accessorize. These aren’t necessarily going to be for the office, but casually, they are a winner.

Another jazzy option would be the Frieda Sequin Espadrilles £55 from Office which come in this rose gold as well as an iridescent sequin. I am in espadrille heaven here and I like the chunkier sole as this adds a little extra height for those not naturally blessed.

So much choice and there is even more at Boden with this gorgeous Two Part Espadrille £60 which comes in glitter, animal and colours.

&Other Stories also has a great selection including these Studded Suede Espadrilles £65 which come in black and burgundy.

If you want to be true to the boho theme, then go for these Dawn Black Espadrilles £65 from Miss KG.

Or these Paris Espadrilles £150.

Moving on to sandals now and if you combine animal print with tassels you get some rather cool looking sliders. Yep they are perfect for round the pool, but you would not look a plonker at all in the pub or even with a simple pair of tailored track pants, tee and blazer/denim/leather jacket. Leather Animal Print Tassel Mules £36 from M&S. Blue or coral – which is it to be?

River Island has a brilliant range of all singing and all dancing sandals, where basically the entire boho kitchen sink has been thrown at these beauties and no embroidery, tasselling, beading or pom poms have been spared:

Black Floral Pom Pom Sandals £36.

Brown Print Leather Pom Pom Sandals £35.

Gold Metallic Charm Leather Sandals £38.

I also spied these amazing court shoes at John Lewis as part of their newly launched AND/OR range: Bandra Embellished Tassel Court Shoes £79. This is my kind of boho – boho in disguise basically. These would look amazing with wide legged jeans, girlfriend jeans and actually would also work with a simple dress. These shoes do all the talking – in a good way.

Maybe these are more carnival than boho, but the Freya Multi-Coloured High Heel Sandals £99 from Miss KG would work beautifully with many different coloured dresses for a summer event.

Every time I put on an embroidered and pom pom’d kaftan type top, I end up feeling ridiculous, but pop any of these on my feet and I am there – lounging at a beach bar with some chilled out tunes in the background…. in my dreams.