Explain "edge" to me - YouLookFab Forum

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Explain "edge" to me

Maya

Veteran

I used to think I knew what edge meant, but I realize now I was just parroting a word I heard frequently around here--often in the context of describing my personal style.

You'd think I would know what it meant, wouldn't you? But I don't have a clue! It is probably one of the most frequently used words on YLF. I read it a minimum of once a day, in such widely varying contexts that it has lost meaning for me.

What makes something or someone edgy? What does it mean to add edge to an outfit?

General

38 replies

Latest reply was from Maya

Steph

Veteran

I think when you add edge to an outfit you are taking something that is traditional, classic, feminine and/or simple and adding something that makes it less traditional, classic, feminine and/or simple. This addition/alteration has to have some kind of toughness or trendiness to be edgy, and it can't be cutesy or soft. That's my (pretty bad) definition.

MNsara

Veteran

My overly simple version would be something normally considered "tough" (at least that's the word we'd use around MN) and not normally associated with womens' style -- up until the last few years when studs and zippers went mainstream.

Kari

Veteran

I'm in the same boat as MNSara. The zipper/stud/rivet overload has me rather confused about what is considered "edgy" and whether I had that definition wrong in my mind to begin with. What Steph describes, to me, is more "modern classic" - where a classic item is quite literally modernized or made a bit more trendy in the way that it is styled, or the other items that it is paired with.
Am I the only one that feels like I need an illustrated glossary sometimes when I am trying to understand or articulate what a certain style is?

cciele

Veteran

I think of edgy as pushing boundaries ("the edge"). Adding the unexpected to an outfit.

Aida

Veteran

"Edgy" gets me confused, too. I don't really consider hardware (zippers, studs, etc.) edgy so much, but that could be because I love to wear it and I don't think of my style as edgy; I lump those types of elements into punk/biker styling. I mean, you could be in a decked out studded sleeveless denim jacket a la 80's punk but most people wouldn't consider the look "edgy", yes? (Well, maybe these days, but you get my point.)

I've a feeling that "edgy" in particular changes definitions often, if you're looking at elements only. I think the key is to find a definition that sums up HOW those elements are determined. I would think someone who is "edgy" fashion-wise is wearing today's trends, and tomorrow's trends, though I think this gets lumped into "fashion forward" oftentimes.

RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Veteran

I think it tends to be context sensitive, but generally speaking, to me, it means adding a rocker or rockabilly flair. Or it might just mean unexpected or boundary pushing. And of course, boundaries change and are relative!

Tara

(website)

Veteran

I agree with cciele - pushing the boundary.
The added "edge" to an outfit has to be unexpected and, I think, somehow contrasting or incongruent with the rest of the whole.

My examples?
Lace and ruffles with tough biker boots (fairly predictable these days I know but still illustrates the point)
A floral dress worn with high top sneakers
A delicate, flowing silk top in a pastel colour worn with bold, chunky, black accessories
An androgynous outfit (tuxedo vest, business shirt etc.) worn with really feminine girly delicate jewellery, loose long hair and pretty makeup.
A crisp business shirt worn with a tribal patterned maxi skirt and wooden bangles and leather sandals

Those examples might not do it for you but I am sure you can understand what I am talking about.

I think in one word, "edge" is "unexpected".

Tara

(website)

Veteran

Further, I'm not sure it can be contained to any particular "element" of an outfit such as zippers, studs, leather etc. I think it changes with time depending on what is or is not mainstream at a given time.

Tara

(website)

Veteran

Another example...(I'm on a roll here!).

Imagine a girl wearing a white t shirt and jeans and sneakers. Pretty unimaginative.
But she has the coolest haircut ever, with an asymmentrical fringe, cut short in the back, black with cherry red streaks through it. She also has a pierced nose and silver earrings all the way up her left ear.

She is "edgy" because she sports a hairstyle and looks that are clearly not "mainstream", yet here she is decked out in a totally orindary outfit and makes it look great. The reason it looks great is that it is unexpected given her hairstyle and piercings. She is on the "edge" of the boundary.

Get me? Kinda?

MsMaven

Veteran

Good question, Maya. I'm enjoying the discussion. I've thought edgy was pushing the boundaries just a bit, but not so far that the ordinary person would think the outfit had passed into the realm of bad taste. I'll try to think of some examples.

taylor

Veteran

I think edgy is a vibe , a feeling or an attitude . Your Hair style can add an edgy vibe to an otherwise conservative out fit. Some thing makes you feel edge before you see it...When you do see edge it is more of a overall feeling regarding the outfit . To me one item can do it.

I think it is often the unexpected element that takes a style and tweaks it just ever so slightly to make an individual aspect stand out...yet changes the entire overall vibe.

Tara and I see this through the same eye's

MsMary

Veteran

I think Tara has explained it beautifully!

Maya

Veteran

Interesting replies.

I guess it's one of those cyclical situations I always have trouble with--something is expected because it's unexpected because it's expected. So for example, ruffles and a moto jacket. This is quite possibly the most done to death look in recent history. It's not really edgy to me at all. It kind of was at first, but in truth I probably wouldn't have consciously noticed it--in large part because I don't consider moto jackets edgy or tough-looking. It's one of those things every woman has had or currently has in their closet--as classic as it gets. It *is* expected to me to tone down a biker jacket. Otherwise you look like you're in a costume.

Same with androgynous + feminine. I don't think I ever expected anyone to actually wear an entirely masculine outfit, so feminine details were expected.

Some of it just seems like bad style (hi-tops with a skirt, unless your under 20). Or some just don't make sense to me, like boots and bare legs with short shorts.

The whole thing ties my brain in knots.

To counter that though, I do see the word used in ways that just catch me off guard. I'm reluctant to give a specific example because I don't want to put anyone on the spot, but maybe I'll ask about it next time.

Perhaps I don't have a well defined sense of what is edgy to me, or I just have impossible standards.

Barbara

Veteran

Edge is achieved when you add your own VIBE to your look and continue to do so on a daily basis.

For me that means something unexpected, like Angie's black and white oxfords with a dress. Now THAT is edge!

Edge is constant and permanent once you do achieve it. It's that simple.

Maya

Veteran

Maybe this goes back to the idea that I don't have the same ideas about what's fashion forward as a lot of others do. To me a dress and oxfords is pretty ordinary and not remarkably original. It's not a bad or boring look by any means--I wear it all the time and love it. It's not really something I do to "add edge" so to speak, though. It's just a cute, arty look that I see on a lot of cute, arty ladies.

But what do I know? I obviously have no clear ideas on what I do find edgy. I guess when I see something that really is genuinely new and ahead of the curve, that most people--meaning those interested in fashion--wouldn't think to do or wouldn't think works, and yet it does, I consider that edgy. But that can easily and quickly veer off into bad style and it's really subjective where the line exists. The denim on denim craze that took YLF by storm left me scratching my head. Yes, it was unexpected and no, most people wouldn't think to do it--but that didn't make it a good thing in my view (sorry). OTOH, as I mentioned elsehwere, I remember seeing a girl in a strong shoulder jacket long before they went mainstream, and that was edgy to me. It was daring. That's a look most women run away screaming from, and she was not only wearing it but she looked great in it. To me edgy means something that challenges common perceptions/fashion "rules", so I guess in that sense D-O-D could be considered edgy. It's just not a look I liked, nor did the words "cutting edge" ever slip into my mind when I saw it. Then again, a pear=shaped gal wearing skinnies would be considered edgy by that definition, since it challenges the rules--yet I don't find it even remotely edgy. So I'm already finding exceptions to my definition.

I guess I at least have some idea of what the agreed upon definition is, though, and that's all I was hoping to understand.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Not sure if using celebrities is a good example. But Anna Wintour and Rachel Zoe are very fashionable but I wouldn't consider them edgy. However Tilda Swinton I would consider edgy.

Barbara

Veteran

Maya, edge can veer off into bad style WHEN SOMEONE IS TRYING TOO HARD. It's always so obvious to me.

Edge must be effortless!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Also one must factor in the enviromental norm. You live in the NYC metropolis where edge is completely different as opposed to a small Midwestern town.
I'm originally from a small town, when I go home I stand out like a sore thumb whereas in Seattle I blend in more.

Barbara

Veteran

Good point, annagybe! It's all relative, isn't it? I've lived most of my life in NC, but lived and traveled in Europe for 12 years, so I've seen a HUGE variety of fashion edge.

And you are SO right about Tilda. She's got some serious edge.

catgirl

Veteran

I was going to say exactly what Anna said. Context is huge, and I think in a place like NY, edge probably means something more along the lines of having your own unique style, be it the latest trend or not. I'm thinking of that gal you posted from the Sart in the 70s-ish jeans.

Here in Alaska, edge is anything that looks like the big city. On the other hand, you could probably find someone wearing those same 70s jeans, not to be hipster-retro but because it's still the 70s here fashion-wise!

tarzy

Veteran

Great discussion! I agree that context is very important.

To me, edge is about risk. (Which is relative.)

For the most part, when I dress, I want to look "chic," or "pretty," or "polished," or "pulled together." I do not want to provoke, or tantalize, or confuse.

To me, an edgy dresser is someone who doesn't necessarily care about looking "cute" or "stylish." They use fashion as art, or commentary - to "anger," or "challenge." It could be in a subtle way, or it could be over the top (again, context.)

I know I'm not edgy, and I'm fine with that!

Barbara

Veteran

From dictionary.com:

"Edgy: daringly innovative; on the cutting edge."

I agree with the daring part, but it's still relative.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Edge is soooo subjective. I personally like to think of it as pushing the boundaries of your own personal style, so what is edgy on a modern classic dresser would probably not be considered edgy on a trendy urbanite.

Denim on Denim never looked edgy to me, but it did turn a pre existing fashion rule on it's head. To pull it off felt 'clever' or in the know but never edgy.

I never knowingly consider adding edge to my style, so it can come as a surprise when something I own is deemed edgy. I do love a trend and trying something new but I'm more likely to be referencing the past than the future.

I think for the most part on the forum adding edge could be considered as:
a) adding contrast
b) adding something ahead of the fashion curve
c) adding toughness
Which makes me wonder if edge can ever detract from a style?

Dusty

(website)

I wonder if edge is even possible in NY. There's just so many people that I would guess you'd see it all in 30 minutes on the street. Whereas here, moto jackets are edgy because no one wears them (well, except the odd actual biker chick, but those aren't cropped and cute, they're gear), dolman sleeves are edgy, because no one wears them, oxfords and skirts are edgy, because no one does that. For the most part, even those who aren't just complete slobs wear very "safe" stuff; at the mall you'll see more knit tops and bootcut jeans than anything else, at the office, it's skirt suits or trousers and a blouse (and I don't know that I've ever seen anyone with PPL), nothing interesting at all. Heck, leggings on anyone over 12 is pretty edgy here. It's all a perspective thing.

cloud9

Veteran

I remember there was an episode on WNTW, about a lady moving from Minnesota to New York... and she wanted to be "edgy". Stacy & Clinton looked confused as they go through the clippings of stuff she considered "edgy". Finally they said, "so this is what you mean by edgy (just being more trendy & stylish). "Edgy" means something different to us." From that, my presumption is edgy means something more non-mainstream, in-your-face fashion forward, like studded OTK boots 5 years ago. Thus the term "EDGE", a *sharp* fringe so to speak, but in a much more daring way, not a subtle *bland* edge.

I don't think that's how Angie uses it here.. would be interesting to see her definition.

Beth

Veteran

I think it's like the 1964 Supreme Court judge who said about obscene materials "I know it when I see it."

Of course, that's still subjective and related to context.

Isabel

Veteran

I have always thought of it as a little "tough' or badass. But with a really sweet personality, like a man should be.

MsMary

Veteran

Ah, Justice Potter Stewart!

I loved him...

Isabel

Veteran

MaryK, was the Justice badass or the one with the quote ? : )

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