Staying Fit
(Left to right) Singer Carly Simon, 1971; fashion designer/celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe, 2023.
Jack Robinson/Hulton Archive/Getty Images; Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images
If you were a teenager in the ’70s like me, you probably listened to artists such as Carly Simon, Stevie Nicks, Roberta Flack and Janis Joplin on repeat. I remember studying their album covers and trying to copy their free-spirited style of dressing: peasant blouses, caftans, patched jeans, Indian/tribal prints, gladiator sandals and woven shoulder bags.
More recently, the carefree style has been embraced by celebrities including Beyoncé, Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Jennifer Lopez and former stylist-to-the-stars Rachel Zoe.
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Surprisingly, I find myself gravitating toward similar clothing styles now that I’m in my 60s. (Well, maybe not patched jeans.) The current look falls under the aesthetic of “Boho Chic” as opposed to high hippie garb, and the patterns and design details — such as embroidery, beading and tassels — reference a variety of cultures including India, Morocco, Mexico and Indonesia.
The trick to pulling off the trend effortlessly is to pair colorful printed separates with something classic and white, such as a crisp button-down, a fitted T-shirt, jeans, a denim jacket. Tunic dresses, caftans and swim cover-ups are easy, breezy and figure-forgiving. Some ’70s-inspired accessories such as dangling earrings, espadrilles, strappy leather sandals and straw bags still spell cool — but maybe skip the granny glasses and turbans this time around. You don’t want to go too far out!
It’s one of my favorite looks for warm weather, especially at the beach, at barbecues or on vacation. When you are enjoying the sunny days to come, please be sure to remember young Carly’s preternaturally wise words in “Anticipation”: “These are the good old days.”
(Left to right) Hat Attack Beach Dress in Blue ($138, hattack.com); Karen Kane Embroidered Tunic in Navy ($148, karenkane.com); Merokeety Women’s Boho Floral Print Elastic High Waist Pleated A Line Midi Skirt ($34, amazon.com)
Hat Attack; Karen Kane; Amazon
Blue Bayou
A serene cobalt-and-white palette evokes summers by the sea.
(Left to right) Anthropologie Farm Rio x Anthropologie Belted Blouse in Yellow Motif ($158, anthropologie.com); Cider Curve & Plus Boho Tropical & Animal Straight Leg Trouser in Yellow ($24, shopcider.com); Boston Proper Embellished Lace Tunic Dress in Lemon Drop ($160, bostonproper.com)
Anthropologie; Cider; Boston Proper
Mellow Yellow
Sunflower yellow signals an optimistic outlook.
(Left to right) Roller Rabbit Jemina Punta Long Kurta in Red ($198, rollerrabbit.com); Roaman’s Embroidered Boho Tunic in Ivory ($90, roamans.com); Farm Rio Geometric Pants in Pineapple Mat ($160, anthropologie.com)
Roller Rabbit; Roaman's; Anthropologie
Tequila Sunrise
Warm shades or coral and orange suggest smooth sailing ahead.
(Left to right) Soft Surroundings Bondi Dress in Hot Pink Multi ($100, softsurroundings.com); Zara Flowy Printed pants in Multicolored ($50, zara.com/us); Wolf & Badger Fable Woven Cotton Pom-Pom Jacket ($226, wolfandbadger.com/us)
Soft Surroundings; Zara; Wolf & Badger
For the Roses
Bold pinks bring out our womanly charms.
(Left to right) Wolf & Badger Raspberry Stripe Caftan Kaftan Dress ($144, wolfandbadger.com/us); Banana Republic Bliss Silk Draped Skirt in Cosmic Ikat ($190, bananarepublic.com); Woman Within Sequined Cotton Tunic in Black ($30, womanwithin.com)
Wolf & Badger; Banana Republic; Woman Within
Black Magic Woman
Striking black and white combinations convey confidence.
