I think I get it after reading everything. Seems like there are a bunch of elements that work together to create an overall impression that can be anywhere on the soft vs. hard scale.

If I've got it right, I'm closer to the soft-edge end of the continuum, but the black and dark colors slide me a little toward the middle. I almost want to do an analogy to different kinds of materials. Like, maybe my overall look is more like lambswool (kind of a sturdier kind of softness), while someone else's at the very softest end might be more like silk or tulle.

I've also had similar experiences to Suz, where things like black leather moto jackets just feel wrong on me, like I'm trying to play dress-up.

I very much identify with the term soft edge for my personal style; looks which are both strong and quiet so to speak. I'm really looking forward to your blog post on the subject Angie.

Oooh I really love this - but I'm going to have to come back and study it once the caffeine kicks in

I can't quite get my head around the term either, but I think I get it. After reading this thread I would say I am soft edge and I actually think that it is a good term for one aspect of my aspirational style. I really like what R&J just said about looks that are "strong and quiet". That's something I want for myself. I'm really drawn to minimalist and simple styles, but most of the looks you find when you search for that term are way too hard edge for me. I want a soft edge minimalism.

Waiting for the blog post on this. Interesting discussion.

Astrid, you and me, both!

High five, Suz!

See what happens? You go to bed in the UK, spend the morning working and then log in to find this fascinating thread that's been rumbling along all night Oh, and a great quote from the Lego movie comes to mind "Great. I think I got it. But just in case... tell me the whole thing again, I wasn't listening." Lol!

Seriously though. I do kind of think I understand and I'm pleased that I was even mentioned on page #1, though I wasn't aware I had Soft Edge What Shevia said kind of summed up how I think of it too: ".. I see edge as more the way the outfit skews than the angles in the outfit. The theme rather than the plot."

For me it is definitely a vibe, a sense, something you can't quite put your finger on, yet you know it when you see it... I think.

Some ladies have mentioned their hair and mine definitely adds a soft element to my outfits, but like Suz, I'm not sure I could go the whole 'black moto' look, though I realise that lately I have been finding myself drawn to the more unusual structure lines in garments and perhaps that's somewhere to head more towards for further soft edge in my style.

I'm going to re-read a lot of this thread, but in the meantime, thanks for starting an interesting discussion Angie.

Suz, I really put you in the modern classic camp.
Also regarding my Soiree en Blanc outfit. The harness is mostly lace. If I removed it the outfit would have zero style. It would be a tank top, jeans and heels. I still think it's soft edge.

Anna, I'd agree my style is essentially modern classic -- but does that rule out what Angie's referring to as "soft edge"? I don't think so. Although I admit I still don't fully understand what she means!

No opinion on the Soiree en Blanc until I figure that out!

Meanwhile, even the terms "soft" and "hard" can create confusion/ misunderstanding. Because soft can refer to fabrication and/or to shape or drape....so much to take into account. Then there is the colour element....

Still, if I think of it as "thematic" the way Shevia mentioned I feel as if I am getting a clearer sense of it.

I'm not sure if I even have edge at all quite yet, but I think of "edge" as being sort of on trend with style/fashion in a way that is deliberate and noticeable. So soft edge/hard edge makes sense to me in that way.

Funny off shoot story, I wore a CE gray-taupe leopard tank this weekend semi-tucked with my denim rolled shorts, a pearlescent (sp?) tan belt and tan sandals with an ivory bag. I would have described it as a soft edge look. I feel like I got a lot of looks when I was out and about. But I'm in rural deer hunter land and anything slightly resembling "camo" seems to be in favor by the local hunter types. So I'm not sure if I had style edge or if I was just fitting in!

Well, I was thinking I was getting it, but Angie, your saying to ignore the word "edge" has gotten me confused again. I was thinking it was about how one's style can be edgy but still soft, with soft textures and colors and shapes (like Anna's soiree en blanc outfit) or edgy and hard (lots of black, sharp lines, etc), whereas someone with a more classic, non-edgy style would be neither soft nor hard edge, but rather on some other continuum entirely like "soft classic" vs. "crisp classic." But I think I might be wrong now.

And where would normcore go?

ETA: so if I have it correct now, everyone is somewhere on the "soft" vs. "hard" continuum, right?

"so if I have it correct now, everyone is somewhere on the "soft" vs. "hard" continuum, right?", RIGHT, Diana.

Oh, dear, I think I'm getting confused again. Can someone be Soft Edge and not 'edgy and can they also be Soft Edge and edgy? Or am I going round in circles!!!?

Oh, dear, I think I'm getting confused again. Can someone be Soft Edge and not 'edgy' and can they also be Soft Edge and 'edgy'? Or am I going round in circles!!!?

OOPS sorry double post

This is really interesting, and I've held off on commenting until reading thus far. I think I'm getting it, though.

If I'm understanding this correctly, I tend to think I usually end up on the scale closer to the hard edge side, but I feel happiest when I have a balance. I associate the "soft edge" with a bit more femininity in a look, and the hard edge with a bit more masculinity. Let me know if I'm really off base with that.

Do you think that some of the "soft" vs. "hard" style is part of our personal demeanor and looks, and we choose to either counteract or emphasize these aspects of ourselves? I actually feel like my personality and my inherent appearance set me in the middle of that spectrum to begin with -- my coloring is high-contrast, my features are largish, but my body is decidedly feminine and not angular at all. My personality is not bubbly, and my voice is relatively deep, so again, not girly in the least, but I'm also not what anyone would think of as a tomboy. Forgive me for using myself as an example, but it always helps me to apply these things to myself first for analysis and go from there.

To continue that thought, I looked at my floral dress outfit from Friday. It seems to me someone could take that same dress and work it in a more "soft edge" way -- maybe colored or nude pumps in a more classic style, a softer bag, more delicate jewelry like dangly earrings... But I chose the LD Tuttle sandals and the black zippered clutch, which definitely give a harder edge.
And ultimately, that harder edge styling makes that dress feel much more *me*. Am I on the right track?

Janet, not necessarily. You can wear feminine outfits with Hard Edge, and masculine outfits with Soft Edge. Your last paragraph is spot on.

Diane, yes to both your questions.

OK, Angie, I'm getting it, I think! Thank you!

Okaaaaay... I think I've got it also... Especially with your last reply to Janet.

There you go, Janet and Diane. All sorted and you're not confused at all. xo

Hmmm... I think I get it on some level, but I'm also swinging between understanding and confusion. Would I be on the harder edge of the spectrum Angie?

Hmm yes I think the word "edge" is what's throwing people for Soft Edge. Think of it this way, if you are using the word "edge" this now covers TWO spectrums, one for Soft to Hard, and one for Edgy to Not Edgy (which is a whole other beast, and differs per person). This is how you can get a softer non-edgy classic look for example. Hard edge is a bit easier to sort out because, for some reason, the hardness tends to bring an inherent amount of edge to it (but you could certainly still have a harder classic look), whereas with the softness there's no inherent edginess.

I kinda think of edge in terms of moodiness. I had a thrifted polyester top that I called my moody florals top. It made me realize that my happy looks have that moody component to them. The flora mortis was the perfect upgrade to that top. It's easy for me to get to my happy spot in cooler weather, but oh so hard in summer. This year I got a little closer to there, and I hope I can build on it next year.

For hardness without edge I think of the lead actress in House of Cards... Would that be right?

Aida, you are spot on. Not surprising at all. Can I clone you? xo

Shedev, your look is always on the Hard Edge side of the continuum.

Una, try to take what you understand as Edge out of it because it's confusing you. Think Hard Integrity and Soft Integrity on a continuum. Robyn Wright in House of Cards wears both Harder and Softer looks in that show.

I think this makes sense to me. I prefer Soft Edge over Hard.

Thanks Angie - got it

What an interesting discussion! I'm glad I read through the whole thing. I think I get it.

It also made me realize that edge is always relative. I always soften hard edge a tiny bit (always natural fibers, for instance, which gives it that Eileen Fisher touch of softness, or slightly cleaner with less metal hardware). But I still agree that I'm solidly on the hard edge side of things!

I love what Aida said -- hard edge has "inherent" edginess.

What's interesting is that soft edge doesn't have that inherent edgy aspect. But it can still be edgy. And yet some will not recognize the edge in soft edge because they will be focusing on the softness.