It's True: This Pretty Dress Trend Is Officially Back From the Dead

In fashion, nothing really dies; it's reinvented on the runway at a later date. That's no more apparent than with the revival of one specific trend: boho dresses. If you've been around long enough, the notion of bohemian clothing coming back from the dead isn't scary. It's just another example of its various reincarnations over the years. Birthed from the political movements of the late '60s and '70s, this aesthetic is rooted in the hippie counterculture that didn't aim to create a trend but merely used clothing as a way to subvert societal expectations around gender, race, and class. Much of that rebellious spirit was embodied through loosely fitted silhouettes—including bell-bottom jeans, peasant blouses, and, most importantly, boho dresses.

While that specific era set the tone for the fashion aesthetic, it didn't become fully mainstream until the mid-'00s with the birth of the boho-chic movement in fashion. At the behest of fashion insiders, we saw the second wave of the boho aesthetic with an indie-sleaze element—ruffled dresses, floppy hats, and cowboy boots. It was impossible to flip through the glossy pages of zines at that time without spotting a boho-inspired outfit on the red carpet or the runway. (Refer to Chloé's and Isabel Marant's archives.) With the former, boho dresses became the It-girl uniform of that time and were spotted on the likes of Rachel Zoe, Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, and even the Olsen twins.

Although some time has passed since the peak of boho chic, its impact has lingered long enough to inspire a new generation of free-spirited fashion people—including the recently appointed creative director of Chloé, Chemena Kamali, whose debut S/S 24 collection turned this formerly deceased trend into the most talked-about thing in fashion. That runway show inspired a succession of other brands to release suede pieces, chunkier jewelry, and even gladiator sandals—giving us ample ways to embrace the trend on our terms.

While there's no shortage of ways to wear boho clothing, dresses are one of the most straightforward options, in our humble opinion. With so many examples of this dress trend in the spring and summer 2025 and autumn and winter 2025 collections, it's proof that this piece has not only reincarnated on the runway but will also be coming back into your reality soon. Therefore, we figured we'd scour the internet in search of the best boho dresses to buy for spring and beyond. Keep scrolling to get the official proof of life…

1. White & Lacy

Inspo: Ralph Lauren S/S 25 Runway Show

Styling Notes: Ralph Lauren's S/S 25 collection spoke to the evolution of bohemian fashion through a Western lens, specifically through the boho-chic dresses showcased on the runway. Crochet, fringe, and plissé textures were used to transform rigid silhouettes into relaxed pieces that embodied a more free-spirited demeanour, particularly in fresh, summer-white tones.

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2. Ruffles & Frills

Inspo: Chloé S/S 25 Runway Show

Styling Notes: The boho revival wouldn't exist without the recent appointment of Kamali at Chloé. The creative director's sophomore spring and summer 2025 collection leaned further into the aesthetic, incorporating volume, layers, and vibrant colours to prove its versatility further. Ruffles and frills in abundance are the way to get this look, and pick one tone to double down on the trend.

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3. Fringe

Inspo: Isabel Marant S/S 25 Runway Show

Styling Notes: Often heralded as one of the initial architects of the boho-chic movement in the '00s, Isabel Marant has long set the blueprint for what we categorise as this aesthetic. Its recent S/S 25 collection was no exception to that long history. The show featured suede minidresses covered in fringe, silk yarn woven into shift dresses with monarch motifs, and billowing maxi dresses with braided details.

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4. Maxi

Inspo: Saint Laurent S/S 25 Runway Show

Styling Notes: If you're well-versed in fashion history, it should be no surprise that we'd spot bohemian elements in Saint Laurent's recent S/S 25 collection. The fashion house's long history of tapping into the movement was reflected in runway looks with hippie-ish spins—e.g., an oversize moto jacket was styled with a ruffled maxi dress, chunky wooden necklaces, and gold bangles stacked to the brim.

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5. Sheer & Chiffon

Inspo: Zimmermann S/S 25 Runway Show

Styling Notes: Zimmermann's S/S 25 collection adapted the boho fashion aesthetic through a more futuristic lens. Rather than relying upon heavier textiles, dresses were fashioned from semi-sheer chiffon silk that draped down the body in a way that gave a new definition to the term "easy, breezy."

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6. Earthy Tones

Inspo: Ulla Johnson F/W 25 Runway Show

Styling Notes: While some designers used textiles to transform traditional boho staples, Ulla Johnson's F/W 25 show was all about incorporating transitional shades. The collection showed the staying power of bohemian dresses by adapting a classic ruffled frock into an olive green that lends itself to being part of any autumn wardrobe.

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7. Balloon Sleeved

Inspo: Gabriela Hearst F/W 25 Runway Show

Styling Notes: While it's easy to assume that bohemian pieces can only be worn in the warmer months, Gabriela Hearst's A/W 25 runway show proved otherwise. The collection melded dark, romantic details with traditional boho-coded silhouettes. A balloon-sleeve midi dress was made from a semi-opaque eyelet material in jet black, reminding us that we don't have to give up what we love (or, rather, our boho dresses) at any point.

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8. Satin Slips

Inspo: Chloé A/W 25 Runway Show

Styling Notes: In continuation of the theme of the fashion house's previous show, Chloé leaned further into boho-coded elements in the A/W 25 collection. Rather than regurgitating similar runway looks of the past two seasons, we saw slight adaptions to the dress silhouettes, shade palettes, and even styling. Voluminous ruffles were replaced by lightweight satin, pastels made way for jewel tones, and lots of layers were added to make transitioning this trend into the fall far easier.

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9. Vintage Vibes

Inspo: Zimmermann A/W 25 Runway Show

Styling Notes: Zimmermann's A/W 25 show also continued the boho-coded creative direction. The primary difference between the two collections is that there was a more vintage bend to the fall show. Gauzy materials were swapped with woven laces, and Victorian-inspired silhouettes replaced billowing gowns. Although these changes seem minor, they were a subtle reminder that trends don't die—they evolve into new forms.

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10. Peachy

Inspo: Chloé A/W 25 Runway Show

Styling Notes: I noticed an array of peachy, pastel shades walk down the Chloé catwalk. This hue was applied to pretty blouses, lacey skirts and bloomers, but most importantly, dresses. This tone stands out against the harsh, stark summer-white we are used to, giving a softer, more gentle and romantic palette when worn. Demi-sheer, chiffon and organza fabrics work well with this shade to play into its tactile quality.

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11. Jewel Tones

Inspo: Etro A/W 25 Runway Show

Styling Notes: The Etro Fall Winter 2025 show was a masterclass in boho maximalism, mixing textures, layers and materials in rich and luxurious ways. Dresses were covered in oversized paisley and floral prints in jewel hues, whilst long sleeves were met with short hems, giving way to buttery leather knee boots in corresponding burgundy tones.

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12. Butter Yellow

Inspo: Zimmermann A/W 25 Runway Show

Styling Notes: Butter yellow has been trending all summer long, and will no doubt pervade the autumn landscape too. Chloé took this tone to maxi, jersey and free-flowing dresses for their Autumn/ Winter 2025 show. It's the new neutral, so keep styling light and breezy, and add snakeskin and tan tones to punctuate the look.

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13. Vampy

Inspo: Ralph Lauren A/W 25 Runway Show

Styling Notes: Delicate, vampy and dark is a variation on the boho trend I've distinguished on the catwalk for the oncoming Autumn/Winter season. "Designers including Chanel, Alexander McQueen and Dior explored moody textures, sheer netting and flashes of skin—think corsetry with capes, black satin dresses with bondage-adjacent details, sultry lace gloves with floor-length velvet. Knowing what to reveal and, indeed, what to conceal is key here," notes Maxine Eggenberger, Who What Wear UK's Deputy Editor, in her Autumn/Winter 2025 runway trend report.

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At Who What Wear UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.

We regularly try pieces ourselves, everything from bestselling jeans to designer shoes, speak to external experts and fashion insiders and stay closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise and has to pass our exceptional taste levels—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.