'60s fashion for today's free spirits

Sobriety is overrated. So say designers who have brought back boho: late '60s and early '70s bohemian looks for today's free spirits.

Florals flutter into fall in Nicole by Nicole Miller's paisley peasant blouses, Missoni's patchwork knit jackets and Ralph Lauren's chiffon tiered maxis. All pop out as rebelliously, unabashedly romantic — dare we say loose — after years of hard-core-rocker studded leather and against the upcoming season's sea of form-fitted charcoal and beige.

For this trend, add velvet, keep tie-dye and Liberty prints, and lose the denim. Juxtapose — and modernize — the vibe with a military jacket, fringed suede satchel, Victorian lace-up boots or slouchy booties. (You can find bargain versions at Walmart, J.C. Penney or Banana Republic.)

Only the most daring should go full-bore boho with center-parted locks, fingerless lace gloves and textured hose, designer Anna Sui says: “For most of us, that's a costume.”