Bopea Explained

A bopea (bohemian peasantry) is a member of a British upper class socio-economic group who adopt aspects of a rural life.^[1] The group blend bohemian values of creativity and non-conformism with a more traditional "neo-peasant" worldview that values nature, community, and craft.^[2]

History

British society magazine Tatler wrote in 2023 that the term characterised the rapid re-emergence of various traditional practices and hobbies following the COVID-19 lockdowns.^[3] Louis Elton contrasts them against earlier, similar social groups of bobos and yuppies, saying that bopeas wish to "flourish holistically"'.^[4]

Writing in The Sunday Times, Phoebe Luckhurst describes bopeas having a variety of hobbies:

Tatler identified King Charles III as key inspiration for the group. The magazine also named James Middleton, Merlin Sheldrake, and Ben Goldsmith as examples of the lifestyle. Politico highlighted Carrie Johnson — the wife of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson — as "the nation's Bopea tradwife".^[5]

See also

• Cottagecore
• Hippie

Notes and References

1. Web site: Walker . Simon Mills Harriet . 2023-11-28 . BoPea v MePea — the new posh peasant tribes . 2024-12-18 . www.thetimes.com . en.
2. Web site: Hay . Katherine . Bopeas: There's a new subculture in town, sorry, the countryside . 27 November 2023 . The Scotsman. 20 July 2023 .
3. Web site: Delaney . Evie . On England's pleasant pastures seen: Rural rules the roost in the new class of bohemian peasants or 'Bopeas' . 27 November 2023 . Tatler. 17 November 2023 .
4. Web site: Elton . Louis . 2023-07-16 . The dawn of the Bohemian Peasants . 2024-12-23 . UnHerd . en-GB.
5. Web site: Casalicchio . Emilio . London Playbook PM: Blair with benefits and a postcard from Frome . 27 November 2023 . POLITICO. 18 July 2023 .