Epiphany: New Style Describing Term - YouLookFab Forum

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Epiphany: New Style Describing Term

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I often refer to an outfit, style or item as having "a hard edge" - either to describe looks on the forum, on the blog and while working with clients. I'm sure you know exactly what I am talking about.

I also describe a look that is not hard edge, or less hard edge as "softer". For example, I will say I like how x,y or z "softens the look". It JUST occurred to me that I should call that style "Soft Edge".

*slaps forehead*

Good heavens. Why didn't I think of that sooner?

So, Hard Edge and Soft Edge run on a continuum. You can either stay in one spot on the continuum, or slide up and down it as you wish. It feels fabulous to have this clear in my head with a proper describing term, and hopefully it makes sense to you too.

Dressing

93 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

frannieb

Veteran

Makes me feel better that Angie who knows so much and dresses so fab is still having style epiphanies.
Just proves that style is a journey and we are all someplace along that journey. I'm just at the beginning and loving every step so far.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Soft Edge...I need visuals!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Like Eileen Fisher vs Vivienne Westwood??

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I think my Soiree en Blanc outfit counts as Soft Edge.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I get it! (At least I think I do.) Sveta, this would describe a look that included some item or items or some elements traditionally associated with a hard-edge look -- such as (but not limited to): all black, a RATE accessory, a moto style jacket, studs, zippers, other hardware, etc.

So, (I am guessing) for "soft edge" -- someone might be wearing an ensemble that included some of those elements, but she would then add something a bit unexpected and more traditionally feminine or polished. Like a lace texture. Or a clean lined blazer. Or a shot of a lighter colour. Or possibly something more literally soft (i.e. a soft sweater).

Do I understand correctly, Angie?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

We are all learning each day, Frannie.

Sveta, look at your own outfits. Lots of Soft Edge and brilliantly executed. Aida, Tanya, Mary, Firecracker and Suz too. (If it helps, my own outfits are degrees of Soft Edge although I wear black, leather motos and pointy black booties. I am not a Hard Edge Gal).

Hard Edge gals that come to mind are Greyscale, Shedev, Deborah from OZ, Rae and Cathy,

Anna, Diana, Shannon, Janet, Shevia and Rabbit slide up and down the scale depending on their mood.

These are just a few examples that come to mind now. xo

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Mo, more like J.Crew versus All Saints.

Suz, you are on the right tack.

Joyce B

Veteran

Maybe in a way it's like a hard edge but with softer colors and more flowy looks, that's what I would think.
Like softening the look of a dark colored ensemble with a soft and flowy denim shirt/top.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ah! So it is different than I thought.

Thank you for clarifying, Angie.

This relates to what people sometimes mean when they say they would like to be "classic with a twist," or "classic with edge." So that is "soft edge."

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Suz, "Edge" does not need to be hard at all. This outfit is Soft Edge. It's VERY soft - colours, fabric, drape, vibe, styling. Nothing hard about it - accept maybe my hair.

1

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ha! Cross posted, Angie. Well, it sounds as if I was originally thinking about something slightly different -- more along the lines of the continuum you suggested that people can slide up or down.

And thinking of it more from the perspective of someone looking at a "softened" but otherwise "hard edge" look.

If you look from the other direction (i.e. a "softer" or perhaps more "classic" foundation) then it's the harder elements or outfit items that add the bit of "edge" but it will still come across overall as much softer.

So....to take an easy example...my taupe Elie Tahari jacket. Taupe (soft). Lightweight wool (soft). Streamlined shape (soft). Zipper edged all round. (Edged).

Elie Tahari 'Kristina' Jacket

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Which outfit is that, Anna?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Suz, no need for the Classic component in Soft Edge. Diana's looks can be VERY Soft Edge - but not classic. Same with Firecracker and Diane G. Your taupe jacket is Soft Edge. Your Reiss blazer is even more Soft Edge.

Windchime

Veteran

That term is a very helpful description of the style. I wouldn't be surprised if it catches on, and we'll start reading about outfits with a "soft edge" in fashion mags and other blogs!

Tanya

Veteran

Very interesting discussion. I need to think a little to wrap my head around this.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Okay...so if edge doesn't have to be hard...what makes it "edge?"

Agree absolutely that your outfit has no hardness to it, except (arguably...but not really) hair and possibly pointy toed shoes -- but those are a feminine white.

Change up the colours, though -- make your hair black and the shoes pointy toed booties in black, and make the whole outfit black or grey, then it would be closer to hard edge, but not quite, I think, because of the softness of the items themselves and the cuts?

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

If Suz is right, then those are the words I want: soft edge. I want pieces with soft edges. But definitely with edges.

rachylou

Veteran

I totally get it. That really articulates it.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yes...I can see it with Firecracker and Diana....not classic (or not usually). And softness comes in colour, cut, and detailing (esp. Firecracker) and cut and texture (esp. Diana).

Still trying to get my head around it...I sense a blog post!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Exactly, Suz. You get it. EDGE does not refer to anything hard though - it's more about hard looks vs. soft looks - and how they are placed across a continuum. Edge can be Arty, Boho, Retro, Mimimal etc. Edge does NOT mean Hard Edge. It's just been simplified to describe a tough girl look. Hope that makes sense.

Tanya

Veteran

Hmm, Angie, are you saying that Soft Edge vs. Hard Edge is the same as Polished vs. Rate? In that case, I would simply call Soft Edge as Pretty.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Glad it makes sense, Rachy. Your style slides up and down the continuum.

Alana, your style is Soft Edge.

Not quite, Tanya. You can be VERY polished Hard Edge - like Gwen Stefani. Or RATE Soft Edge like Kate Moss in her boho outfits.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Fascinating. I still think "edge" is the mystery term. Hard or soft, most of it want it. And we know it when we see it...but find it difficult to put into words in advance. What IS it, exactly?

Also-- the wearer's physical characteristics may come into play. A very classic look could have "soft edge" if worn by the right person with the right haircut...or could seem to lack edge on a different person, no?

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

http://noscrubs.lookfab.com/po.....nc-edition

Staysfit

Veteran

Once again, I need to bookmark this and reread until I understand the terms!

Anonymous

Suz, stop it and go have a glass of wine You'll drive yourself crazy (you academic and wordsmith at heart, you)

Edge is often hard to articulate, but you know it when you see it. It's a vibe, a feeling, a mood, an entire look - at least in my mind. Once in awhile when I look in the mirror and scare myself with too much edge going on , I soften it up - a la the continuum Angie referred to.

I like this! I may assign Edge numerical values to my outfits.

rabbit

Veteran

So is soft edge correlated with traditionally more feminine signifiers in design? I'm thinking drape, softer fabrics, lighter colors, light weight or fuzzy materials, rounded shapes rather than angles.

ETA: if I understand correctly the edge part is just a carryover term from the altered original word meant to show it's an opposite. Although I whimsically think of hems or seams -- the edges of clothing when I hear it, which kind of works too, lol. You can have a soft waterfall hem, or alternately something severely straight or cropped for example.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Ah Angie, see why I needed visuals. I was not sure of "Soft Edge" means "softened hard edge" as per Suz or "looks on the Edge of Softness" which I gather what you really mean.

Oh, and I also wear black, moto jackets and trying to buy black booties ( alas my edge is dulled here by the inability of my feet to wear pointy toes comfortably or I would be ALL OVER POINTY BLACK BOOTIES!)

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Angie, I'm not sure I'm getting this & I really want to
I have the same questions as rabbit. Are people who wear a lot of black always hard(er) edged? Or is it more a yin/yang concept of sharp lines v. rounded ones? Also do body type, hair (curly/straight or thick/thin) & depth of colouring play into it?

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