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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Adding edginess to outfits?

Gigi

Veteran

In 2014, I want to step outside my comfort zone a bit and add some edginess to my outfits. I checked the forum archives to get a definition for "edgy," and it looks like people have various definitions of it. A theme that kept coming back was that it meant adding unconventional elements to your outfits. I'm thinking of Angie's formula some time back for wearing a sweatshirt with a leather skirt. Anna's recent WIW also combines distressed jeans with a very elegant blazer:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ion-grunge

For those of you who have found ways to add a bit of edge to your outfits, do you have a method for how you do it? Do you have some favorite pieces that are very versatile that you use to add edge to a variety of outfits?

I'm not quite sure where to start. I don't want to look mismatched or like I have no fashion sense--I think it takes a bit of skill to pull such a look off.

Dressing

46 replies

Latest reply was from Ariadne

Jewell

Veteran

I'm so glad you asked this question, because I've been wondering the same thing and have a similar goal for 2014. Obviously, I don't have the answer, but I will be paying careful attention to any responses you get.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

There can be certain elements - leather, black, hardware/studs, distressing - and there can be cuts - sharp shoulders, asymmetry, extreme draping - and then the unexpected pairings you mentioned - moto jacket with a gown, nice blazer over holey jeans, etc. At least that's what comes to mind for me. This is/has been a goal of mine and I don't find it so hard to identify what makes something edgy so much as I have a hard time relating it to my every day life in small town USA. I will say it seems that the edgier items come at a high premium, at least ones that are more adult, and not Hot Topic mall goth kid

Gigi

Veteran

I'm glad I'm not the only one, Jewell! :^)

Jacky

Veteran

I'm not sure I can give you a really good answer, but my style has been described by people here and elsewhere as edgy, and I think that's usually the result of unconventional elements and/or combinations. I usually like to have something in my outfit that would be considered non-standard and I often go for high contrast in both color and style. For the latter, you need to be careful to make sure that it feels deliberate, which can require careful balance that I don't always accomplish.

Gigi

Veteran

Mo, you make me laugh! "Mall goth kid" is definitely not what I aspire to be. Yet another moniker that Angie should add to her style descriptors. :^)

I am a little worried about finding "adult" items that fit. You know how limited petites' sections can be! I'm hoping to find a petite moto jacket this coming year. That should be a very versatile piece.

Gigi

Veteran

Jacky, what are some examples of the nonstandard items that you wear?

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

For me, shoes make a huge difference. I could wear very basic clothes but add some cutting edge shoes to create the juxtaposition.

Shirley

I will be watching this with interest. I like some edginess in my outfit but mostly from accessories.

Jacky

Veteran

Well, I've taken an easy route in that I have non-standard hair Currently, the right side is shaved while the left is a short bob, and I've had it pretty asymmetric before this and shaved various different parts.

Hm... actual unusual pieces that I own...I own an oversized motorcycle jacket as well as a fitted one in an electric blue. Some of my shoes are quite unusual looking - I had a lady run out of the store she was working in yesterday to yell across the street that she loved the ones I was wearing. I have some unusual jewelry too - big statement pieces, chains, etc. I also own some men's cargo shorts and BDUs. My BDUs with contrast pockets actually get a surprising number of compliments.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I agree that shoes and jewelry/belts can be a great place to start and edge up what you currently have. I forgot to mention mixed media and cut outs as things I think can lend some edge.

cciele

Veteran

I'm with Jacky on the hair. I think the right hair adds a bit of edge to any outfit. Following that, shoes as Anna mentioned!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

When I think of the word "edgy" I think the way Mo does -- elements that are harder edge rather than classic or Boho or feminine. So -- black is hard edge by definition. Leather is edgy especially if it is black. Hardware especially if it is used unexpectedly or in an exaggerated fashion. Asymmetry is edgy if it is not done in a frilly way. Don't laugh, but when I think of the word "edgy" I think of Johnny Depp in his Edward Scissorhands costume.

I would be interested what a fashion professional like Angie has to say about the definition of "edgy." And how to achieve it.

Deborah

Veteran

This is an interesting thread. I agree with Mo, Anna and CocoLion:) My interpretation of edgy would be elements that are unexpected, a little unconventional and perhaps not perceived to be the norm or 'trendy'. It's often dramatic and black would (could) figure quite strongly. I grew up referring to avant garde as 'alternate' so I see it as an alternative to what the majority are wearing?

Shoes are a good place to start as Anna said. Accessories too. In a corporate setting for example, I think a fitted black dress with an asymmetric hem, a bootie and a tailored blazer could be perceived as edgy. Hair style is another way to add edge.

Balance is important too, IMHO, too over the top and it can all look too contrived rather than a natural expression of you. I love edgy looks, but I also love a chic elegant look so my goal would be to combine the two and then it becomes to a degree, uniquely me.

Kim

Veteran

I guess we'd have to define what we meant by edgy, and go from there. For me it means a surprising element among the modern classic style that I usually like to wear. I tend toward classic pieces but then like to throw in a trend or an unexpected piece to make my outfit more interesting (to me a least! LOL)

So, I wear pearls with a t-shirt, jeans, Cons and a moto jacket, or I wear a studded shoes with a classic sheath dress, or I wear my black moto (you are right, it's a great piece to add edge) over a dress, or over a white button down, or over a leopard button down, (actually, I wear that moto jacket a lot) it's the easiest "edge" I have. I even wear it on the motorcycle! (gasp!!)

My Converse shoes are another unexpected piece, and my shoes (like others have mentioned) are what make me feel good about my outfit. I don't wear pumps generally in my lifestyle, but my flats are not boring and my cons get tons of use. The one pair of pumps I do own are leopard print (so an unexpected fun pattern in a classic pump.)

So what does "edgy" mean to you?

krishnidoux

Veteran

Firstly, sorry that my post is so long! Then, if it tells things you already know, please be forgiving!

In my case, adding edginess to any outfit means to dress it down, or to create vivid contrast.

Because I tend to dress classic/girly doll if I don't pay attention. But these looks are not really me, they are what I was taught. I'm too stiff in them. So I like to "twist" them. This is why I'm not sure of the difference between edgy and RATE (rough around the edges).

Some strategies:

Unbutton collars
Untuck drapey, flowy shirts and then wear a pendant-like necklace
Swap pumps for booties, converse or flats
Swap shirt for cute tee or distressed tee
Wear aggressive, Madonna-like cuffs at the wrists or other "masculine" looking jewelry
Wear oversize top OR oversize bottom (not both, unless you are tall and thin): go all the way with this, really exaggerate the maxi look
Wear "of the moment" specs
Have an "edgy" hair cut if short
Have lots of texture in hair if mid-length or long

Here is something you can do:

Start by building the most boring, utilitarian outfit imaginable.
Let's say one chooses a pair of jeans, sneakers, tee-shirt.
Then tweak this look:

First, shoes (most important IMO). You need something edgy, and sneakers, unless they are Converse, are not. So get rid of the sneakers. Avoid low pumps, they are smart, chic, cute, but not often edgy. I think now, ballet flats, boots, booties and shooties are edgy at the moment. High heels pumps work too with a fine heel but they are not as utilitarian. So stick with something you could spend more than 2 hrs in.

Then, jeans: They may not need changing at all. If you chose them well at the store, if they are your go-to pair, keep them on. However, what belt are you wearing? Belts are a good source of daily edginess. Or you may prefer to untuck the top, in which case I find belts unnecessary because they can create bulk more than anything (or wear the belt over the top).

Then, tee: ok this is where you've got to pay most attention. And you certainly know this already. A "cute tee" is nothing like a tee you could do gym in. And you don't get 3 for $4.99 either. It's more like... move the period one digit to the right. Finding the perfect tee, especially in white, could be a long, long fashion quest. You have to find the perfect cotton blends, so it drapes perfectly without being see through. This is a very sensitive and important detail, because it will shape and mold the breasts, the shoulders, the neck, the arms, very sensitive, sensual areas. Parts of the body that hug. A stiff cotton with crew neck and square sleeves doesn't flatter most body types, and is definitively not edgy. You also have to have a flat bra that doesn't bulge.

Then add something to make it more edgy: an interest piece, like a scarf or a pendant or necklace or any interesting, edgy topper such as a moto or exaggeratedly long cardi, or a very classic blazer etc.

Pics 1 and 2: what I call ugly tees. They can look very cute... on the perfect, young, thin body. Otherwise, they will look terrible.

Pics 3 and 4: IMO, "edgier" interpretations of the look.

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jlar

Thanks for the breakdown krishnoux. Thatvis really helpful. I find myself really liking a certain look but struggle with breaking it down and identifying that key reason why I like it.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I find that in the colder months, jackets are boots are my main "edging up" pieces. ITA with Anna about footwear making a big difference. I will wear a quite classic outfit but popping on those turquoise Jeffrey Campbell boots definitely gives an edgier effect.

This is why I find summer dressing so hard -- it's not so easy in the heat and humidity to "edge up" a simple lightweight dress or shorts and a tee, unless I have some killer sandals, and maybe a bold piece of jewelry.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Yes, Janet! I depend on my cuff bracelets and sandals with hardware in FL heat. Add to that, some of the cooler options in the heat are floaty and by nature quite feminine.

Joyce B

Veteran

Such a great topic. I'm just tagging along as I would also like to keep all the great advice handy, I can definitely use it.
Sorry that I can't contribute at this time. My goal is also to add edginess to my wardrobe.

Gigi

Veteran

Thank you for all your awesome ideas, everyone! I'm going to have to read this thread over a few times, because there is so much great information here. :^)

Kim asked about what "edgy" means to me. Reading all the responses helped me refine my somewhat-murky definition. To me, it means a combination of things. One, it means harder-edge, like the Edward Scissorhands example. Two, it means combining elements that would not normally go together, like pearls and a t-shirt. Three, it means adding an item of clothing that is not the norm to a more typical outfit. (In this last definition, the nonstandard item does not have to be "harder-edge" but could simply be something very distinctive, like one of Alassë's maxi skirts, which I love). So "edgy" can be really quite versatile.

I think part of my problem is that I sometimes have a knee-jerk reaction to items that are harder-edge, like studded booties. But I have to keep in mind that these elements would be only one piece of an overall outfit, not the whole thing. I need to be more open to these unusual types of pieces and allow myself the freedom to make mistakes in picking something that isn't really me or isn't edgy enough or is too edgy! I think that experimentation will be crucial in trying to add some edge to my outfits.

And a big thank-you to Krishnidoux! I appreciated your breakdown of steps. And I had never imagined that there was so much to know about buying a t-shirt! I am glad that I do not have many t-shirts, because that way when the weather warms up I can afford to buy one or two without feeling like I'm overloading my closet.

The responses to this thread have been like a Christmas present for me! There is so much knowledge on this forum. Thank you all for sharing it with me. :^)

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Right after reading this post, I was looking at some style blogs and found this fab example of edge:

http://lellavictoria.creatorso.....ary-green/

- and was inspired to start with the classic shawl collar sweater to build a Polyvore with it, choosing pieces to make it lean towards edgy or classic.

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=108650025

The differences I discerned were in some of these areas:

Shape - boxy or loose, tight or close fitting, proportions of each garment as well as overall from top to bottom, conventional, asymmetrical?

Color - traditional or unconventional combos, neutrals, accents?

Fabrications - textures, weights, drape, knits, leathers, natural or manmade, and juxtaposition of these?

Style - conventional or unexpected combinations, layers, quirky or usual arrangements, RATE or classic factors involved?

The traditional shawl collar sweater in military green worn by the blogger becomes part of her edgy outfit by her combinations of slightly oversizing the sweater, the soft scarf worn inside the collar, the slouchy leather pants, slouchy wool socks with Birks (I hear they are coming back into the style spotlight!), oversize navy pea coat and Chanelesque bag. You might also notice how she wears her watch over the sweater sleeve, the mod style ring, and the interesting zippers on the coat sleeves.

In my classicized version, I would put this sweater together with a crisp white button shirt, a burgundy fringed scarf, black tailored slacks, burgundy Nordic print socks, black oxfords, and a classic, trimly shaped navy coat. To me, the oxfords, socks and ankle pants would be the edge - modernized, comfortable and interesting yet within my style parameters.

Thanks for this interesting discussion.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I can totally relate on the edgy enough but not too edgy pieces for oneself. I mentioned on a thread to Una how I could never do the pyramid stud belts that were so often seen on punks and rockers. Instead, my edgy belt was this half snakeskin pattern, half nailhead stud (much cleaner and streamlined hardware in my mind than pyramid studs). Just an example that there is a level of edge out there for all of us

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Aziraphale

Veteran

Lots of good suggestions here.

To me, someone who looks edgy is often wearing an outfit that incorporates the following qualities:

- there may be a small sacrifice of figure flattery for unexpectedness. Wearing jeans that are bleeding edge in terms of style with funky but flat shoes is a common one I see. It's very difficult to look edgy in sensible low heels. They have to be really cool shoes (or, more likely, boots), and they have to be worn with other elements of the outfit that are a bit different in a cool way.

- If it looks conservative, it ain't edgy. Conventionally flattering but conservative items like, say, pumps (which make everybody's legs look longer and more shapely) can only be edgy if styled in a really unexpected way.

"Edgy" relies on unexpectedness, coolness, and -- I'm going to say something here that people might disagree about -- a certain insouciance in the wearer's demeanour. That is, the person herself (or himself) must in fact be edgy. If not, I don't think her outfits can. It won't ring true.

I realize this isn't particularly helpful. Let's see if I can't do better…well, to up the edginess factor of any woman, I'd concentrate on hairstyle and footwear, perhaps a hat, and, depending on the outfit, belts. Jewellery rarely makes someone look edgy unless it's particularly awesome or unless the person has non-standard piercings.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great, great thread and comments. You are all right. Here's my take on the question:

Edgy is person-specific, meaning that there is no one way to be edgy. Edgy does not necessarily mean studs, hardware, wearing black all the time, and RATE style. Not at all. You can be very polished and very edgy - Tilda Swinton, Cate Blanchett and Gwen Stefani come to mind. You can wear white and pastels with edge.

Having "an edge" to your style means adding unconventional and unexpected aspects to it. Think irregular outfit juxtapositions. You can add an edge to boho, androgynous, rocker, modern classic, hard edged, trendy, eclectic and sporty style - you name it. It's HOW you put these pieces together within this style that makes it edgy.

Edgy runs on a continuum. A little or a lot of edge is a personal choice.

Finally, you don't need to be edgy to be stylish.

Shoes and hair are in my opinion the most powerful vehicles for edge. Eyewear is probably next if you wear specs. Then, it's HOW you mix up pieces in an outfit that makes it edgy, and not necessarily the pieces themselves. That's why style is Art and not Science.

Aziraphale

Veteran

"Art and not science" -- exactly!

Greyscale

Veteran

Refined edgy is my style goal. It's the main criterion I use when I try something on in a store (though as Angie notes, it's often not the individual item itself).

As a quiet, reserved nerd with long hair, I learned to add little elements that would counteract that so that my overall impression was edgy and interesting. My look is meant to be the opposite of "pretty" (nothing wrong with pretty at all, but it's not me). I admit it's a lot easier now that the side of my head is shaved, but shoes have always been my standby for adding edge, even back in high school when I wasn't very good at dressing myself. Combat boots or converse, at first.

I am always envious of Kate Lanphear's arms full of spiky bracelets, but in the end, accessories are rarely part of my look, and that's ok.

One of my favorite purchases of last year was my Dr Martens sandals. I usually go for a more refined version of edgy than Docs, but these sandals seriously look like something off the runway last year when a few labels had big chunky flat sandals. Any outfit I wear them with is automatically pulled in an edgy direction and always gets comments from salespeople.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/dr.....al/3528188

Another bit of my wardrobe that add edge (one of many examples): The strong-shoulder Theyskens blazer in my last WIW post has such interesting lines. Worn with skinnies, it makes an amazing silhouette. I have another black blazer that gets more wear, and I love it, but it's not nearly as dramatic even though they look similar on the rack.
http://monochrome.lookfab.com/post/wiw-zippers

So I'm not sure if there's any advice in this, but maybe there's some useful inspiration.

Echo

Veteran

I absolutely agree that "edge" is person and context specific. In other words, the leather or studs that may add edge to my outfit where I currently live would have been standard in the place and with the people I lived with in Chicago. This is the reason that many young women who wore lots of leather/black and RATE items started wearing Peter Pan collars and a few items that were girly-girl-ish; it created a juxtaposition against the all black, RATE clothing they were used to.

So like Angie said, "edge" doesn't have to mean any one particular style or colour or look, and it very much depends on the style and location/surroundings of each person.

K. Period.

Veteran

I'm right there too with edge being person specific. My original goal in joining the forum and then in working with Angie was to add "edge" to my outfits. I felt like I was a very good classic dresser, but I wanted to take my style in a more "fashion" direction. Originally, I said "edgy." Angie responded "trendy." I panicked when I heard "trendy," but Angie was right. For me, trendy was always the definition of what I didn't want to be: junky, too young fast-fashion clothing worn without regard to the wearer. It was the mom putting on her teenage daughter's clothes along with her mom jeans in an attempt to make herself feel more current. Trendy equaled fashion disaster. Of course, I was wrong. This year I incorporated a lot more trendy items in my wardrobe, and I've been loving it. The juxtaposition of trendy items against classic items is exactly what I needed to feel more edgy and still me.

But wait: about edge! The first major missteps that I made when I was trying to up my style were all "edge" related. I equated edge with studded items, chains, tough boots, in all a much more RATE style and maybe a little bit of Urban Warrior Princess and Steampunk mixed in. However, those things weren't me and they didn't feel comfortable when I tried to integrate them into my style. The major style revelation for me was that I could admire that style, but I didn't need to duplicate it and that there were other examples of styles that were much more like me that were just as edgy. So, I don't try to wear the same clothes as Una (AlaskaGirl). And there are a bunch of other folks who I admire, and I might take small elements from, but I don't try to clone because their style isn't mine even if I admire it and it influences me: Anna/Annagybe's style is too fashion forward for me to wear comfortably; Denise/CocoLion's is a tad too bohemian; Dana/Ironkurtin's is too avant-garde; Shevia's is too new-wave; Deborah's is too dark (I love her season of all black and if you want to be wowed, go through her WIWs and see how amazing the right person can make a limited color palette; I just need color) and on and on! Every single one of them has phenomenal style. I follow all of their posts because they inspire me, but I don't try to clone their edge. Their edge isn't mine. So, my advice would be to watch people on the forum and maybe start a pinterest board with pins of people wearing things that you own, but styled with just a bit more edge. That might help you identify which edge is going to feel natural to you, rather than jumping right in with edgy items you admire, but may not feel comfortable wearing, like studded boots.

For what it is worth, to add edge, I've added metallic belts and purses, animal (mammal and reptile) prints in belts, shoes and purses, light and white footwear, bolder color combos and avant-garde cuts and can't imagine my style without them anymore. I already had interesting jewelry, but I've added a few pieces for fun. I also have a gorgeous, barely worn pair of Fiorentini & Baker boots that are looking for a new home, because I'm just not RATE.

shemarie

What a terrific post and a wonderful read. I need to go through it again to begin to absorb it all. I'm learning SO much and I just love all of the replies. I think, for me, I'm K. Period.'s excellent analysis may just be the revelation I've been seeking in my oh-so-frustrating quest to begin understanding my own style and direction...and have it be authentic! Edge v. trendy v. RATE is starting to make so much more sense. Thank you all so much for sharing!!

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