Peace, love and boho: Three trends that Miami University students are loving

Within the past two decades, trends have been seemingly repeating themselves — even more so with rapid technological advances and references toward nostalgia. In 2017, 1980s-esque windbreakers and scrunchies were trend highlights; 2020 brought back “Y2K;” I even wrote about 2014 Tumblr fashion in 2022. Now, 2025 is reviving 2013.

Note: the 2010s is where individual years really started to have distinct fashion trends as opposed to decades. The one trend that is particularly standing out to me is the 2013 boho. Not twee. Not scene. Boho is considered one of the more prominent aesthetics of the 2010s, as it has been generally long-lived.

Here are three items from everybody’s closet in 2013 that I have been curating for the past few years.

Statement jewelry

One of the biggest aspects of this boho revolution has been how people are utilizing their jewelry collections. Gone are the days of the “clean girl” — the chunkier the better. Tortoiseshell, jade and brass are three styles of bangles that have appeared on my own wrists straight from my grandmother's jewelry box. Senior sociology student Lyla Brasher can also attest to how unique jewelry is an outfit changer.

“My favorite accessories have been the layering of jewelry I see,” Brasher said. “Although it’s pretty controversial, I like the look of mixing metals with my jewelry, so seeing that with more statement pieces draws me in.”

This parallels the early boho wave almost exactly; in 2013, statement necklaces were the big thing. One massive trend that came out of this was the owl necklace. Owl necklaces were layered necklaces where each piece turned into a tiny metal owl. These were sold at classic early 2010s stores such as Forever 21, Charming Charlie and Rue 21. Now, bulky and chunky necklaces, rings, bangles, anklets and toe rings are all the rage, giving wearers an opportunity to display new — and vintage — collections.

Isabel Marant

Marant is a French fashion designer who has absolutely dominated the playing field when it comes to boho-inspired threads. Influenced by Vivienne Westwood, Marant started sewing at a young age and showed her first collection in 1995.

Senior strategic communications student Abby Thompson is a style director for UP Magazine and has been a close follower of Marant’s styles for a few years.

“I love Isabel Marant,” Thompson said. “Once I found out about her, I started seeing her influence in so many things… the brand Love Shack Fancy, Serena van der Woodsen [from “Gossip Girl”], to name a few.”

Marant boasts a wide variety of clothing that still falls under the bohemian category. Suede and fringe are staples, and silhouettes can primarily be described as flowy. Garments call back to Western themes and feature unique prints. It is very reminiscent of Anthropologie and Free People. Yet, Marant has been around for longer than people think.

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“Rewatching shows like ‘Gossip Girl,’ it’s so obvious now that that is what Serena is wearing,” Thompson said. “And you notice celebrities like Alexa Chung who have worn her too.”

One of the more popular items from her collection now is her Bekett Sneakers. These sneakers are all fashion, not athletic; they are wedged sneakers made of lambskin, calfskin leather and suede, and they retail for $790. Dupes can be found, and resale websites may offer the real deals for cheaper, but affordable options are a bit harder to come by.

“It really is the perfect style,” Thompson said. “I’m so close to getting $700 shoes.”

Layers / flowy silhouettes

The third biggest (and arguably the most defining) feature of boho fashion is the unconventionality of the silhouettes. In a sharp downturn in trends from the past decade, skirts have been getting longer and billowing. Ponchos, gauzy blouses and wide-legged linen pants have been in retail circulation in stores like Edikted, Free People and Urban Outfitters.

Senior arts management and entrepreneurship student Hayley Beardsley tends to be on the pulse of fashion trends and is inspired by this one.

“My roommates and I are obsessed with ‘Daisy Jones and the Six’ and love pulling pieces that remind us of that,” Beardsley said. “I discovered Depop my sophomore year and have been experimenting with my style ever since, and thrifting too. I think thrifting is essential to this style.”

Along with Beardsley, many women on campus have been spotted wearing staple boho garments out Uptown, at date parties and even dressed down for class. My personal favorite boho-casual outfit is a simple tank top, color-coordinated patterned lightweight pants and simple, yet bold, accessories (gold bangles and pink suede New Balances, usually).

Although this relaxed outfit is missing the iconic maxi-skirt that is generally associated with this trend, it combines different elements of style such as texture, color and shape. The pants and shirt resemble flowy layers.

“I’m really drawn to wearing either tiny bottoms and a larger top, or larger bottoms and a tiny top for texture,” Beardsley said. “Big blazers, fun cardigans… having variety in styles of clothing is key.”

As we transition from summer to fall, the boho trend may only grow from here — personally, my predictions include long 70s-esque suede and shearling coats, newsie hats and skinny scarves worming their way into more and more women’s closets… but maybe it’s wishful thinking since they are already in mine.

leeam8@miamioh.edu