Black leather jackets and motorcycle boots might not scream “ladylike” to TikTok’s femininity coaches, but the right styling could earn you a gold star from some of the tastemakers leading the it-girl aesthetic. “Moto Boho,” a resurrected crossover trend inspired by the biker babe edge of the ’90s and the carefree, bohemian chic of the early 2000s is making a comeback. And it’s got grit, glam, and just the right dose of chaos.
If you’ve ever wondered how to look like you just rode a Harley Davidson motorcycle through a vintage flea market, congratulations: you’re already halfway to Moto Boho. This trend is all about embracing contrast, tough shells of dark leather, and distressed hides encasing soft silhouettes and romantic detailing.
Think eyelets on a cream-colored dress, paired with an oversized black snakeskin bag finished with chunky metal buckles. According to creative director and content creator Victoria Louisa Sanders, Moto Boho reimagines that quintessential boho aesthetic. In her words, it evokes “flow, femininity, and freedom.” It also pairs well with more masculine pieces. “So whether that’s chunky, oversized jewelry, or combat boots, there’s something really interesting about the balance of masculine and feminine when it comes to [this] style.”
Sanders isn’t the only one leaning into the aesthetic. According to Pinterest’s 2025 trend report, searches for “edgy boho outfits” are up over 40% from last year. While searches for “moto boots outfit” has surged a jaw-dropping 445%. If you’re wondering why the spike is so high, the answer’s in the trend’s lineage. This isn’t some fashion nepo baby with no roots, she’s got parents and she was raised right! The dolled-up biker-glam of the 1990s and Y2K boho queendom have birthed styling that gives us attitude, texture, and the art of looking unbothered, even when you’re intentionally overdressed.
Celebrity fashion consultant and stylist Fanaye Negussie Haile is another fan of the look and its evolution. “I think what makes this version [of the trend] in 2025 versus the 1990s or the 2000s is that there’s no male gaze involved. It’s all about what we think is cool, and how we want to present ourselves,” Haile shares. “Moto boho is about playing into the contrast of the garment to spark some interest and add friction,” she added.
Let’s be honest: the 1980s gave us shoulder pads and a lot of leather. But without those years, we would’ve never gotten Control-era Janet Jackson, or Tyra Banks and Beverly Peele sharing a motorcycle in a collar-popping, hair-show-worthy Arthur Elgort shot from 1993.
If more receipts are needed, allow me to present Lisa Bonet, the woman who basically invented earthy edge, all while dropping out of college, running off to Africa, and becoming a married woman and a stepmom, all in one season! Okay, maybe that was Denise Huxtable, but still—the looks were iconic. From the height of her popularity until this day, Bonet is known for her style: mixing and matching silk and lace tops with fringe suede jackets, loose-fitting slacks, and dark circular shades with silver trim. All moto boho staples.
A decade and a half later, Mara Brock Akil’s “Girlfriends” gifted us Lynn Searcy: a wayward, wonderfully complicated character whose wardrobe walked the line between academia and anarchy. Often pairing ripped baby tees with long wrap skirts and oversized disk leather belts with metal grommets, you never knew if Lynn was headed to band rehearsal or to lead a protest. But it was this character and others like Mona Thorne from “Half & Half” that drew the blueprint for the contemporary bohemian Black girl. And no one carries that legacy quite like SZA, the reigning queen of Gen Z’s Black Girl Boho, often serving intergalactic boho fairy in many of her performances and music videos.
On today’s runways, the spirit of Moto Boho is unmistakable. Designer brands like Chloé, R13 and Isabel Marant lined their 2025 lookbooks with studded biker shorts under silk blouses, voluptuous leather jackets paired with prairie skirts and floor-length shimmering dresses, and sheer florals beneath heavy furs. Dsquared2 has taken on the trend from an even edgier angle, sending models of all genders down their Spring/Summer 2025 runway in S&M-inspired looks, coupling bondage style harnesses with bright gauzy fabrics.
So, how can you give your old tutu a hard-core makeover? Or in other words, capture the trend yourself? It’s all about pairing opposites and intentionally leaning into contradiction. Start with a feminine base like tulle skirts, tiered dresses, or sheer layers. Next, ground them with something with bite: a moto boot, a cropped leather jacket, or a studded belt. Play with proportions by throwing a slouchy knit over a slip dress, or go full throttle with a grungy tee under a see-through blouse. And don’t forget the accessories: chokers, silver hardware, vintage sunnies, and oversized bags pull the whole look together without trying too hard.
In the summer months, consider balancing breathable boho staples, such as cotton sundresses or lace camisoles with leather ballet flats and metal hardware or a cropped leather vest. And when you’re ready for cooler temps, layer up, buttercup! Nothing like ribbed tights under silky skirts, longline leather trenches over prairie dresses, and fingerless gloves that say, “feminine, but not fragile.”
Sanders’ favorite way to nail the look? A leather jacket over a maxi dress. “I love the way the two just sort of play on each other,” the artist shares over a phone call. “It’s my go-to, and it also helps me get more wear out of my clothes. Throwing on a leather jacket helps me move a summer dress into the fall or into spring when it’s still a bit cold outside. I’m also obsessed with Doc Martens. I’ve had the same pair for 12 or 13 years now. They’re a staple in my life.”
In a world of monotone styling and bland Kardashian inspired kitchen designs, it’s exciting to see two familiar aesthetics clash in a fresh way. The real reason this trend is so appealing (and incredibly accessible) is because it calls back to a kind of period styling we can actually remember. Not to mention the fact that with so many of us having lived through the reign of the grunge, boho-chic, and biker eras, it’s maybe not such a stretch to dig up that motorcycle cap or crochet skirt we wore in college. “Fashion nostalgia” often rears its bedazzled little head in less structured ways than a Pinterest Predicts trend report, but it’s far from a new concept. Especially during tumultuous social and political moments, people turn to memories of times that brought them joy, comfort, and freedom. This is why characters like Denise, Lynn, and Mona still hold so much relevance: they represent more than just plotlines, they’re stitched into our cultural DNA.
Much like binge-watching “A Different World” or “Girlfriends,” moto-boho takes us back while remaining conscious of the present moment. It’s proof that fashion, much like our syndicated faves, has a funny way of reminding us where we’ve been, and help us imagine who we want to be. So if you’re ready to dress for the occasion, grab your layers, gas the Harley, and go!
A pair of classic Doc Martens gets you started on the right foot for this trend.
Give them the real deal with this fringe calfskin jacket from Kallmeyer.