Nicci Chau's Second Life Blog

well I’m not anyone who gets to make definitions or be the trendsetter fashionista everyone looks to, but I think the main point of ethnic/boho is that it is individual and eclectic, and properly carried off it should be like very unique to each wearer. So,  to me it is all about an overall feel to an outfit, that has things that bring up thoughts of hippies, gypsies, shopping in funky thrift stores, hanging out in 3rd world marketplaces, and seeing yourself fit in maybe into pictures of people from all over the world in traditional native costume.  Then trying to get elements or influence from those sources and mix them up so is not all just one thing, but rather comes together like a good soup does. Tops can be from tight almost sheer tanks to puffy sleeve peasant dresses, and no rule one way or the other on bare midriff.  Typically skirts should be maxi and billowy huh, but short skirt over leggings and other layering things, or even some of the baggy pants if used with other elements can work, like that defy any real rules there too.  And jewelry and fringes, and lot of mixes of things that have embroidery or appliques, prints like batik, and a whole world of fabrics from muslin to silks, at some point all I think can be incorporated to ethnic/boho.

Ethnic/Boho was the niche one of my older avies was in when was trying my hand with SL clothing design (surprise surprise), anyhow, so many people do it so well, and the elements are available almost all over SL, I am hopefully going to highlight a few ways to use this as basic inspiration, and hopefully feature some shops and designers kind of  out of the mainstream of most people’s SL experience, since heck one of the major keys to me with a ethnic/boho fashion win is to have an outfit ensemble that is unique to you in a crowd of people all in ethnic/boho outfits and one that everyone goes “oooh where did you get those (fill in the blank?).

Also … well RL roots of ethnic/boho were thrift stores and raiding grandma’s closets and so to me part of the deal is it should not be very expensive to put together.

So in that veins this first piece fits in well as it is bare midriff tight layered tank tops and billowy long skirt with a nice pattern. I got the base outfit in a box at LicoLico for very inexpensive, hair is a recolored freebie, the bangles came with, other jeweleries i snag from other outfits, and I’m a fan of what I guess in SL is usually referred to as slave shoes, those nice jeweled things that have toe ring and anklet connected.

Skin: Adam n Eve – Desire t2 – make up Russet
Eyes: booN tsubura eyes lampblack
Hair: +YUZUKAMIYA+Reiko+Bordeaux (though I tinted the original darker to look right on my avie)
Outfit: DemiDemi long skirt and top set
it has two layered tanktops, glitch pants and a skirt
Footware: EarthStones Beautiful Slave Footlet – Tourmaline
Bangles: DemiDemi sculpted prim bangles (comes with the outfit)
Necklace: The puka shell necklace that comes with the TubeTop Outfit from Bare Rose
Belly Jewelry: Chained elegance blue Belly bar by Angel Affects

The Jiji dresses from YOMESHOUJO is another variation of ethnic/boho does not have bare midriff and is not even using a skirt, but uses a dress, but holds onto basic overall theme as it invokes the same feeling when I look at it. I can almost RL feel a breeze watching my avie walk around in these outfits the prim pieces are multi layer and all have varying flexi properties so it has a very nice look. Green and Orange variations and heck I do a pic of both, since I can also show off one of my favorite footwears from Pipistyle in matching colors.

Skin: Adam n Eve – Desire t2 – make up Russet
Eyes: booN tsubura eyes lampblack
Hair: * 0 Style *Prissy*(Dark Chocolate)
Dress: xxYOMESOHUJOxx *jigi*green
Footwear: pipiStyle-DESIGN-MULE-green

And in the orange:

Skin: Adam n Eve – Desire t2 – make up Russet
Eyes: booN tsubura eyes lampblack
Hair: * 0 Style *Prissy*(Dark Chocolate)
Dress: JigasxxYOMESHOUJOxx *jigi*
Jewelry: xxYOMESHOUJOxx -necklace-*jigi*
Footwear: pipStyle-DESIGN-MULE-orange

So extension of theme of variations to push envelope of the ethnic/boho style, though maybe kind of more subtle than with tank tops and skirt is to do with a pair of baggy pants. This one has that Madonna inspiration thing going on with visible victorian lace bra (I won’t confirm or deny rumor that I wore this outfit before to an event but instead of the victorian lace bra I use t-shirt layer nip rings I make to fit this skin). Add the fishnet top with the prim accents to either and it works pretty nicely. Then instead of a billowy skirt some baggy harem or coolie style pants, or some elephant bells do something very similar, so  maybe more edgy if you go with like mesh or sheer tops, but the overall vibe has the same base.
The EarthStones slave bracelets and footlets kind of reinforce that harem feel, and heck exposed belly button needs some adornment and this seemed like the right piece.

Skin: Adam n Eve – Desire t2 – make up Russet
Eyes: booN tsubura eyes lampblack
Hair: **Hair Influence =My Happy Ending= midnight black by **Seseragi Design
Bra: victoria lace bra  black by SF Designs
Top: Priestkings Code {Fishnet Top}
Pants: Modern Coolie Pants by Puppet On A String
Footwear: EarthStones Beautiful Slave Footlet – Tourmaline
Jewelry:
Bracelets: EarthStones Beautiful Slave Bracelets – Tourmaline
Belly Ring: EarthStones Belly Ring – Yin Yang/Gold