Hi Janet -- you bring up an interesting question. Can softer, rounder more feminine figures look edgy? As someone who is curvy and soft everywhere, except maybe in my jawbone and nose -- I think about this myself. Even when I lose weight, I am curvy front front, side and back. Not many straight lines, no solid shoulder line either. Personally I like to create tension with my body type by wearing androgynous clothing. No one would ever describe my style as androgynous, but I select androgynous pieces and my favorite style icons are men. David Bowie, and yes Keef. I was recently watching Annie Hall and added Diane Keaton pins to my boards. She has a very feminine look but her dressing is so androgynous, it has an edgy effect.

I also like Boho elements because they go really well with a feminine figure. I don't do Boho head to toe, but I like a Boho piece here and there, I think it adds interest.

And here's something to consider. Some of the aspects of what we normally think of as "edgy" style actually look BETTER on a softer, curvier shape. For example, draping. Most of it is absolutely awful on a slim, boyish shape. It just ends up overwhelming the person. You, however, could wear it brilliantly. Yes, you would have to ensure that it wasn't in the wrong places (for figure flattery, that is). But assuming you found the right items? Fabulous.

Funny, Suz, because I find draping very challenging. I just saw a gorgeous draped dress on Pinterest today but the draping fell across the hips, where I have never found draping to be flattering. Plus it was a turtleneck, which is not my best look either. Plus it was sold out. Here's a pic. But you know, never say never and all that!

Janet, maybe give a few a try. I was bodycon (and empire) all the way and then starting with the 'paper bag' olive dress, things just changed. I have plenty of hip. If the drape is in the right place, it's all good.

Seconding Mo - I have a tummy & the right draping over it makes it disappear - so I'd say draped dresses would be worth a try

Also following on from Suz, for me it is the juxtaposition of curvy & menswear style that makes a look so interesting. It's what Armani set out to do - menswear for the female body.

Janet, I hear what you said, but I still think if jackets and shoes are your best way to ad your kind of edge, then stick with it. Why not add a cool necklace to the closet family? You look great in hats, keep it up! Small details add up, so go for exposed zips on boots. Push yourself and see how you feel!

I hear you, Janet. But it's a question of seeking out those items that meet both figure flattery priorities AND the need for a bit of edge. I understand it's not easy. I'm on a similar mission. My body type is different so I have to make different choices. And so far, I've been a lot less successful than you -- partly due to budget and opportunity, and partly due to still being in a phase of refining my taste (you are further along the path).

Anyway...the choices that won't work for you (turtlenecks, say...although I actually think you look good in the right turtleneck) might be the ones that work for me. Whereas you could look fantastic in an open collared, draped jacket or one shaped like the Lanai. And I can't do it. So we have to sigh about the ones that don't work, and move on to those that do. Oh...and try to find these items not in black! Now THERE is a real challenge!!

I have thoroughly enjoyed this thread and wish I had something more to add. Janet your 1000 watt eyes, gorgeous figure and great style instincts are more than enough to let you have whatever style you want. You are doing fantastically already.

What Shevia said. Honestly, I think 99% of my edge is in my delusional beliefs and fantasies. After all, in real life I am a petite middle aged Asian woman in a very conservative profession, AND the doting mother of an active 10 year old boy - hardly warrior princess material!

ag makes an interesting point. I'm cheating but if you change her words "delusional beliefs/ fantasies" to "tapping into my inner self" then I couldn't agree more. It's why I get uncomfortable about prescriptive rules for dressing. I really believe that when we tap into this core (that has nothing to do with how are bodies look) we can dress in a way that truly works for us & still be appropriate (or not as we choose).

Caro, you make it sound so much better!

Hi there, I am very hourglass/pear proportioned (24.5 waist and 37 hips) and I actually find I look better in high waisted skinny jeans/trousers and form fitting dresses and skirts.
Flared skirts and dresses feel too girly (my boyfriend actually commented that an a line dress looked too little girlish on me) and I find fitted clothes not only more slimming but also a lot more in keeping with my style and a lot edgier in terms of what I can wear with them.

I really like what Caro said about taping into our inner self. The best WIW's are the ones where a bit of our personality, that light that shines in our eyes, comes through. The disconnect comes when we let our own self-perceived body issues get in the way.
We know our flaws and I think we often over exaggerate them. No one ever looks like the perfect model in the picture (she doesn't even look like herself because the pic's probably been altered).
What we are is real women with real bodies. We'll always have dressing challenges because nothing looks good on every figure.
My friend's daughter is a designer, Lauren Bagliore, and she specializes in artful draping techniques. Her clothes are way out of my price range, but it's fun to see how she uses draping in her designs.

Lots of great insight on this thread - and I agree that Janet, you DO have fantastic style already and it is very inspiring and very "you." That said, if you feel a need to shake it up a bit, I think you should go for it. Your glasses are a great place to begin as those are so key for your entire style. And Carla's comparison to Patty Hensen is so dead on right - I searched for her style on Pinterest and immediately saw the similarities. Of course mostly I saw her in black - but in many iterations of black. I did notice a leather emerald green jacket with faded gray jeans was extra fab on her. I also saw several images of much more boho style on her in her "off" time photos and I thought she wore those really well too.

I tend to reach for color first, then fabric and style, when choosing something for the day. The favorite colored items always get worn way more often. I wonder if you do the same and if so, what are your favorite 2 colors to wear on top? It could be interesting to limit yourself on purpose for a week or so to those 2 colors on top and try to focus on how you style them with your favorite jeans for example. In other words, pick the jeans or pants that *always* make you feel great and really spend time focusing on the top and the overall outfit style instead of having to think about what flatters the bottom half.

What a great thread. I'm taking notes on my notes. Thanks for starting the conversation, Janet--saved me from having to do it myself, because I've been thinking about all, and I do mean ALL, of the same things.

Edge that incorporates AND EMBRACES both (my own innate) softness and simplicity. That's what I'm going for. Not Pink, but not Stevie Nicks, either. Easier said than done. I have a Rick Owens-esque Danier leather jacket with softness and drape and waist-highlighting qualities that's one of my touchstones. I wish it were ink blue or smoky deep purple, but it's perfect otherwise. I need more of that kind of thing in my life.

You're already a huge inspiration to me, Janet, and I'm sure you'll be even more of one as your style journey progresses. I'm excited for you!

Such an interesting thread. I can very much commiserate with you, Janet. I was just thinking the other day that man, I sure don't have that "expensive" body type.

The more things I try on at the store in a higher price point, the fewer things seem to work... not a size thing, they just aren't cut for short rises, big butts, short legs, and stubby necks! Ixnay on the Vince scuba jackets, all the Theory dress slacks, most Vince and Joie jeans, Rag & Bone jeans, and pretty much any skirt I ever try on ever that isn't draped jersey. Even the VC tube skirts pull on my bubble butt and scrunch up around my saddlebags when I walk.

Anyway, like I said, just venting to commiserate. BUT, the good thing is that you have a great eye and have created your own edge in a way that is both unique and authentic. I think you have the ability to translate any edgy look into something that will work for you.