The seaside charm of Brighton has enthralled me with its liberating appeal time and again. I’ll never forget the first time I walked on its pebbled shores, felt the salty wind whip through my hair, and heard the waves crashing in a rhythm that was almost musical. It was then, as I wandered the quaint, though somewhat convoluted, streets that make up the Brighton “Lanes,” filled with boutiques as curious and distinctive as the shops you’d find in any art installation, that I understood Brighton was about more than just its geographical location; it was also about a certain state of mind.
Fashion is about the journey and the destination. Each corner of Brighton is alive with artistic inspiration. Bright corners and the artistic inspiration they offer set the stage for style reinvention.
I spent an early morning wandering The Lanes, where art-splashed walls, modern cafés, and an eclectic mix of new and old businesses kept me company. I was off a long, grey winter in the north. The hues of Brighton awakened me.
In that brilliant light, I became well-acquainted with Brighton’s not-so-secret sublime roofscape, rooftops splashed with summertime colour. I was bold. I was free.
I was vibrant. I was embarking on style that was all those things. I started my transformation with small, careful decisions.
Instead of wearing my usual structured coats, I opted for flowing, patterned kimonos from the UK label Free People, pairing them with distressed denim and Dr. Martens ankle boots—an ode to my laid-back, edgy aesthetic. A piece that has become one of my wardrobe staples since is a hand-embroidered vest I unearthed at a pop-up market in Brighton’s North Laine.
The vest’s detailing, earth tones, and confident fit not only embody the kind of bohemian spirit I want to achieve but also carry the unmistakable air of local craftsmanship. Wear it and you’re instantly transported to the “vintage luxe” aesthetic that’s all the rage in my hometown. In Brighton, fashion doesn’t adhere to a single silhouette or season—it flows with the tide.
My wardrobe, like my life, relishes in the possibilities of style. One day, I’m draped in languid, all-natural boho dresses, beach-cover-up chic; the next, I’m in a dark-washed denim skirt, ribbed turtleneck, and textured knit blazer—pretending that my serious, layered outfit is as easy as it looks. Dressing for the beach might have me tossing on some linen trousers and eschewing high heels for a pair of platform espadrilles.
But dressing for the sea, for life at the edge of the world, has me half-yielding, half-commanding the breezy, overcast tides of autumn in an open poncho, a knit hat, and a grin. A few years ago, I was at an outdoor music festival in Brighton, a celebration of art, music, and free expression. This is for real.
I strolled through the festival grounds. I wore a dress from AllSaints, a flowing, fringed number that in its way was as kind to my figure as any older (and with fringe, somewhat in the past) silhouette. I paired it with accessories from local designers, jewellery that in its way was as remarkable and unique as any such fashion statement.
I felt a strong sense of belonging. It was an near extraordinary to be at the festival among splendid people making art and music and celebrating their own individual expressions. Of course, adopting this bohemian ethos doesn’t mean surrendering to total chaos.
I still value the kinds of pieces that make an outfit feel grounded and put-together. That’s why, when I was in my London days, I might have dared to lean into the tailoring of a baby-blue pantsuit from Reiss to pair with the kind of runaway bohemian vibes I was channelling in a mid-2010s, ’70s-flower-child kind of way. I still carry those vibes and principles with me in the outfits I wear now, which both reflect and redefine what it means to have a personal style, one not dictated by magazine photos or Instagram likes, but instead led by the north star of my own wardrobe.
What has been equally awe-inspiring is the community associated with this lifestyle. Brighton is a melting pot of creatives, and the influence of local stars and influencers has been mildly mind-blowing. I’ve had the pleasure of nearly colliding with figures like fashion blogger and activist Zoe Sugg, whose mix of chic and laid-back has nearly redefined modern boho.
In the sun-drenched cafés along Marine Parade, the conversations could have revolved around anything, but they always seemed to come back to sustainability, creativity, and the essence of supporting independent designers. And that’s probably because everything around us in Brighton seems to be sustainably designed. These folks are probably as passionate about ethical fashion as I am.
Fashion—our medium—seems to be our platform for change. Finding distinctive pieces from Brighton’s independent scene brings an electrifying thrill that is hard to beat. The markets here, from The Lanes to the Brighton Flea Market, are filled with unique finds that seem to come with their own backstories.
I remember coming across a vintage silk scarf at a tiny stall tucked away in a side alley. Its vibrant colours, intricate patterns, and the easy fit of the piece had me thinking instantly of all the ways I would wear it (even though I never really needed that many excuses). For me, this was a serendipitous moment!
I found that scarf. It would have found me, too, if I had only waited a little longer to comb through that side alley. Even during the quieter interludes when I am simply watching the waves roll in from my apartment overlooking the seafront, I am finding renewed joy in the relaxed elegance that boho style exudes.
It is in these moments that I plan my next outfit. Each piece of clothing—be it a delicately patterned blouse or a pair of handcrafted statement earrings—becomes a conscious celebration of the city’s vibrant energy and its relentless push towards creative freedom. I believe that fashion should be as liberating as it is beautiful, and Brighton has taught me that style need not be confined to the boundaries of convention.
There’s a poetic quality to this journey—a delicate interplay between the past and the present, between the structured and the freeform. This interplay defines boho glamour in its truest sense. It is an ever-evolving dialogue between what has been and what could be.
Long summer nights spent dancing by the ocean, calm afternoons spent exploring art-lined streets, and the wild adventures that have led to the most stylish moments of my life all converge into a tapestry of experience. Every outfit I wear becomes a chapter in a larger narrative. Every moment becomes a stylistic decision.
And this is where it gets really good. As I fully accept the bohemian charm of Brighton, I am grateful for the many influences that have worked to shape my style. From the vibrancy of just-walking-through-the-streets moments to my current living-with-intent moments, I am happy to say that every step has led me to a distinctly me style.
And I’ve learned that the path to boho glam isn’t about following others; it’s about letting your individuality shine through while using whatever kind of magic that makes your heart sing. Because with this moment feeling so dictated by trends, it is refreshing to embrace personal, profound, and meaningful choices that lead us to the next step in our lives, next phase in our looks, or whatever is coming coming up for us. I offer these thoughts in the hope that they will encourage others to discover their own interpretations of boho glamour.
If my style speaks to you, then perhaps something I say or do will inspire you to make a version of it your own. Seek out what slays you, and let the beauty of that outfit you’ve always dreamed of life force you close to the edge of the world you call your own. Feel free to dress for the warmth that you seek, even if that means just the sun shining on you for a moment while you wander close to the water in your own local place of peace.
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