What Is Moto Boho? Explaining The 2025 Fashion Trend

IF THERE WAS a fashion dictionary (seriously, why isn’t this a thing?) I’m sure quite sure “boho chic” would have won the 2024 Word of the Year. Ever since Chloé‘s fall/winter show last February— which saw fringed jackets, flowing dresses, aviators and ethereal poster girl Sienna Miller on the FROW in sky-high wooden clogs — the nostalgic aesthetic has been a top fashion trend. It’s dominated moodboards, runways, street style, red carpets (the recent SAG awards even saw a smattering of bohemian-inspired looks) — and of course, our social feeds (I’ve seen many suede bag, mesh flats looks this summer on mine).

While still incredibly relevant, boho chic is going through another evolution. From Woodstock ’69 days, to the indie sleaze chaos of the early 2000s, the cult-favourite trend has entered its new era: “moto boho.” And she looks a bit like Cara Delevingne circa 2012 (think biker jacket, skinny jeans, combat boots combo) fused with Kate Moss in her Glastonbury era (bury me in that iconic gold lurex mini and Hunter boots ensemble). Balancing grit with softness, the biker with the flower child, moto boho is surprisingly easy to emulate — in fact, it might even be more effortless than the original aesthetic.

Read on to discover how to embrace boho chic’s edgier sister, including some of the essential items.

Related: Boho chic is back: how to do boho in 2025

What is moto boho?

The cool girl take on boho chic, moto boho merges quintessential motorcycle motifs (hence, the shortened “moto”) such as leather jackets and troursers, studs, and biker boots — with traditional boho garments like ruffled skirts, fringed jackets, and peasant-style tops. It’s a little Effy Stonem from 2010s British drama Skins, mixed with a little Olsen twins pre-The Row days (thrown on leather jackets, delicate vintage dresses and all). Contrast textures, colours and volumes to achieve a perfectly-imperfect balance — that je ne sais quoi.

Is moto boho in style?

Absolutely! An extension of 2024’s boho chic craze, Pinterest has predicted moto boho to be one of the biggest trends of the year. “Bye bye, hippie hype, moto boho is pulling up in first,” Pinterest Predicts‘ 2025 report says, noting other aesthetics like “fisherman” and “goddess core” that are already popular in the zeitgeist. “Gen Z and Boomers will take to the streets with chunky leather handbags, flowy skirts, moto boots and just enough fringe. It’s not just a look — it’s a lifestyle.”

Trending terms on the look include “moto boots outfit,” “slouchy bag” and “edgy boho outfits” — all up 445 per cent, 345 per cent and 40 per cent, respectively. Suffice to say, moto boho is pretty hot. But where did it even come from?

While a general lean towards high-low and contrast dressing has been popular for some time, the aesthetic may have first popped up in 2019, during Alexander McQueen’s fall/winter show. Then-creative director, Sarah Burton (renowned for edging up fantasy silhouettes — a McQueen design ethos), sent models down the runway in opposing textures and tones: buckled and studded leather jackets over ruffled and lacy dresses. Perfectly melding romance with rebellion, it wasn’t until the SS25 shows last year that moto boho officially entered the fashion chat.

Related: Your 2025 fashion forecast: Six fashion trends set to dominate in 2025

Adding a hint of masculinity to a usually girlish collection, Chloé paired signature fabrications such as chiffon, lace and ruffles with more structured pieces, such as exaggerated leather jackets with high necks and puffy sleeves. Isabel Marant, another free-spirited designer, got a little punkish last September — clashing gladiator sandals and silk chevron dresses with black studded shorts, metal chokers and jackets featuring zip detailing. And even Ann Demeulemeester — renowned for a more moody, Southern Gothic aesthetic — effortlessly combined billowy silhouettes and delicate sheer looks with hard tailoring as well as distressed denim and shirting.

The trend is continuing this season, too, with Dior’s FW25/26 runway, taking inspiration from Virginia Woolf’s Orlando, leaning into the moto boho vibe with sheer and ruffled blouses paired with edgy leather elements.

While a grungier take on boho, the moto component proves the strength of the aesthetic as a whole, and how adaptable it is to one’s existing wardrobe.

Related: Chloé finds a new formula (and the fun!)

Celebrities who are channeling moto boho

Are the runways influenced by street style, or is street style influenced by the runways? Whatever you believe (I tend to think it’s a delightful tug-of-war between art and reality), there’s no doubt that social media and It-girls have provided the moto boho styling inspiration.

At Chloé’s fall/winter 2024 show, Sienna Miller provided a masterclass in amping up the ethereal — contrasting a silk slip Prairie-style dress with a broad shouldered black leather crop jacket, black and gold clutch bag and wooden clogs. While attending Gucci’s spring/summer 2025 show, queen of new boho, Dakota Johnson juxtaposed a floaty transparent dress featuring floral appliqué pieces with an oversized black leather jacket, which she boldly draped across her shoulders. Katie Holmes has recently dabbled in a number of long leather trench coats paired with wide-legged pants and slouchy bags, meanwhile Bella Hadid took a more modern approach to boho dressing by styling her suede and fringed Valentino Garavani Nellcôte with a V-neck black knit, dark spectacles and boots.

Related: Charli XCX wore Christopher Esber for a special festival moment

Even away from the more classic boho icons, Charli XCX has emerged as a modern moto boho muse. Whether intentional or not, her “365 party girl” sensibilities have seen fans at the recent Laneway music festival embrace Brat with a feminine kick: floaty lace dresses with studded black belts, boots and bags. It’s worth mentioning that Charli also wore custom Ann Demeulemeester to the 67th Grammy Awards a few weeks ago — donning a sheer, draped top and skirt featuring string detailing, which she contrasted with sleek black sunglasses. Fierce yet poetic, she expertly remixed the moto boho mood (much like her music); and honestly, you can too.

How to style moto boho

Despite appearing to live in separate universes, boho chic and motorcycle-core can work in unison — so long as know how to work the essentials. So what do you need? Any aspiring moto boho girl needs a leather jacket, slouchy bag (we recommend a studded, oversized hobo for maximum wearability), and chunky boots within their sartorial arsenal. Then, it’s all about playfully layering with some of those softer, more summery pieces.

Have a sheer blouse, vintage skirt or slip dress? Throw on an oversized jacket and biker boots to add a little toughness. Style your hair with French girl insouciance — think sultry bed hair — and either go au naturale with your makeup or don a smudged-out, smokey eye. At the end of the day, moto boho is all about striking the perfect balance between nonchalance and intention. We can equally revel in our more rebellious side via outerwear and accessories, while tapping into girlhood. Also, moto boho can easily stretch out your summer wardrobe to the colder months — and who doesn’t love a seasonless aesthetic!

Related: How to tap into your dark feminine energy — and what it really means