Johnny Was begins with one idea from Los Angeles in 1987. Eli Levite, an artist and entrepreneur, started making bohemian tunics with artisan-inspired embroidery, and the label has been building on that ever since. Tunics, blouses, silk kimonos and maxi dresses are still the signature pieces, so it makes sense to begin with the tops. The Kesia embroidered cotton Henley blouse is the easy entry point, and the Anya velvet Henley tunic is the same shape for colder nights. The Luisa embroidered point collar V-neck shirt and the Nya embroidered patchwork-print silk shirt are the fully dressed versions. For a little more play, the Soretta scallop sleeve cotton blouse and the Yves ruffle cuff blouse add shape at the sleeve. The Janie favorite scoop neck tee and button down are the quiet pieces that make the rest feel louder. The Henley collar has its own story, and my Henley shirt edit tells it. A simple test for a heavily embroidered top: pair it with one plain piece below and nothing else patterned.

Dresses are the other half of the Johnny Was story. The Cinco floral burnout empire maxi and the Lilliana gradient floral caftan are the long, easy options, and the Ilenia mesh maxi slipdress is lighter. For midis, the Jemma floral mesh sheath, the double V neck mesh midi and the Vallora floral-print pintuck tiered midi cover different moods. The Eva bias-cut floral midi and the Ryu bias dolman stretch silk dress both move with you. Velvet shows up in the burnout velvet floral print V-neck midi and the floral embroidered velvet shift, which are made for fall evenings. If you want to see the long shapes beside other brands, my maxi dress season edit is a good place to go. For the velvet, there is also a burgundy dress guide with more picks. What I would skip is stacking a busy scarf or a printed jacket on the Vallora, since the dress is already full of pattern.

This group shows the brand's layers. The Zinari floral embroidered velvet kimono jacket has wide cuffed sleeves, and the Shakri short floral burnout silk kimono is the lighter version. The Ravenna embroidered long blazer and the Lesley sequinned tie front jacket are sharper. For cold days there are two practical jackets, the Solana lightweight packable reversible puffer and the Joan reversible printed sherpa hooded jacket. Below, the Yalena embroidered mesh midi skirt and the Endora metallic-embroidered ruched silk midi skirt carry the embroidery down, while the Silk Essentials wide leg pull-on pants and the Peggi Avelar mixed print wide leg pants are for days when you want comfort. For a boho mood beyond one brand, my boho look edit has more ways in.

Four pieces round out the edit, and they are the most relaxed of the whole group. The Zahra ombre reversible kimono is one more reminder of why the label became known for them. The Janie lemon-print favorite shirtdress and the Kesia Maxima tie-waist mini shirtdress are the easy day dresses, and The Carly Mikel cotton-blend pajamas are for slow mornings at home. Both shirtdresses are simple enough to wear with flat sandals in summer and boots once the weather turns. A tie waist is a good test for fit: if you can sit down and breathe comfortably with it tied, it is the right size. If the pajamas catch your eye, my Eberjey pajamas edit is the next stop.

In our fashion dreams she is leaving a Los Angeles dinner in the Zinari velvet kimono jacket over a plain tee and the Silk Essentials pants. That is how I would wear Johnny Was, with one embroidered piece doing the work and everything else kept quiet. Oxford Industries bought the brand in September 2022, and the swimwear line that launched in December 2018 still carries the same embroideries.

If you want to keep going, That's So Fetch Dresses and Tanya Taylor Dresses and Skirts pair well with this edit.