BOHEMIAN

April 20, 2013 by Karolina 3 Comments

If you think on bohemian, you probably think someone wearing homeless people clothes – ripped destroyed jeans and a warm long coat that is on even on sunny days. For example Mary-Kate Olsen in her late teens.

Yeah, it’s pretty true. This is how one bohemian looks like. But what people often don’t know that Bohemianism isn’t only about what you wear. It is a lifestyle and it contains certain characteristics.

A bohemian is a person who has a irregular careless lifestyle. Bohemians are often whether artists or academics.

Bohemians are educated. He/she is open-minded and reads a lot. Their lifestyle is tied with musical, artistic and literary pursuits. Bohemians may be wanderers, adventurers, or vagabonds.

Who is BOHEMIAN:

• musical, artistic or literary interest/specialty
• unorthodox or anti-establishment political or social views
• rebellious, careless and irregular lifestyle
• make love not war mentality
• baggy clothes in bold colors
• often is vegetarian/vegan
• doesn’t care what others think

The word bohemian first appeared in the English language in the nineteenth century to describe the non-traditional lifestyles of marginalized and impoverished artists, writers, journalists, musicians, and actors in major European cities. Bohemians were associated with unorthodox or anti-establishment political or social viewpoints, which often were expressed through free love, frugality, and sometimes through voluntary poverty. A wealthy and privileged, even aristocratic, bohemian circle is sometimes referred to as the haute bohème (“high bohemians”).

Henry Murger was born in Paris in 1822. He is considered the “First Bohemian” because he created the image of what we see as Bohemian today. He wrote Scenes de la vie de Boheme, which became an opera called “La Boheme.”

 

The term Bohemianism emerged in France in the early nineteenth century when artists and creators began to concentrate in the lower-rent, lower class, gypsy neighbourhoods.

People who were called “Bohemians” were often very poor, because they tried to live by painting, acting or writing. It was hard to make a living. They generally wore old or second-hand clothing, and could not afford a good hair-cut. They often shared the room in the roof of a house, which was cheap, because it was cold in winter, hot in summer and often had birds living there as well. In some ways the life of a bohemian artist was difficult, but it gave people freedom to express themselves, that was often not found in more conservative society, where everyone worried about what other people thought of them, and cared a lot about things like clothes and houses. Sometimes students from richer families would come to live a “Bohemian life style”, so that they could feel the same freedom to express themselves.

Bohemians were typically urban, liberal in outlook, but with few visible political passions and, above all, creative. Though critical of organised religion, they were keen – witness the pre-Raphaelites and Oscar Wilde – to defend and explore the religious spirit.

There is five types of bohemians devised by Stover:

• Nouveau: bohemians with money who attempt to join traditional bohemianism with contemporary culture
• Gypsy: the expatriate types, they create their own Gypsy ideal of nirvana wherever they go
• Beat: also drifters, but non-materialist and art-focused
• Zen: “post-beat,” focus on spirituality rather than art
• Dandy: no money, but try to appear as if they have it by buying and displaying expensive or rare items – such as brands of alcohol

Clothing
Bohemian look is combination of ethnic, hippie, vintage, and gipsy styles. Girl with big, loose colorful floral dresses – this is your time to shine. Bohemian clothing is known as colorful and with eye catching patterns. Hold your tight clothes in the closet and choose the plus size or men section in the shopping stores. Bohemians wear loose over-sized shirts, hoodies and jeans that will surely hide the shape of your body. For girls gypsy dresses and skirts are very trendy. Accessorize your look with big necklaces and bracelets, furthermore wear a hat or a vest. Gladiator shoes, sandals, flip flops, leather cowboy style boots and platform shoes will cover the footwear.

 

Angus Stone and Isabel Lucas is bohemian couple

 

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemianism#People
http://206.110.20.121/~murphy/Homework/Websites/Webpage/famous.html
http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemianism
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12711181