Toughening up an outfit - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Toughening up an outfit

JuniperGreen

Veteran

Angie's recent post about denim jackets and their ability to toughen up an outfit resonated with me. I will occasionally use my denim jacket to create a bit of edge in an otherwise precious or sweet outfit. It got me thinking... what are some other tricks for adding edge to an outfit?

For example, A-line dresses are really flattering on my apple/rectangle frame, but tend to read as too sweet/girly for me. I have some moto and pleather jackets that I can layer, and sometimes will swap in a nicely tailored blazer (though that toes a line between Modern Classic and reverting back to school girl!). Knee-high boots or low-heeled booties are also helpful, but sometimes too heavy for the weather.

Any other suggestions for toughening up an outfit or adding edge to a look?

Dressing

15 replies

Latest reply was from

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I rely on footwear to toughen up outfits, especially when it's too warm for jackets. Block-heel, "stompy" styles help me feel more like myself when I'm wearing more feminine outfits. I look for unusual edgy details, a distinctive heel, asymmetric styles, etc.

Jewelry can help too. Choosing distinctive, bolder pieces instead of anything too delicate, romantic, classic, or girly.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I think BLACK toughens up an outfit too. A reason Janet wears a lot of black - and I a reason I don't.

Greyscale

Veteran

Heavy sandals can work as well as boots. I'm not sure how tough you want to go but I wear my Dr Martens Clarissa sandals to add edge to a lot of summer outfits. They're heavy, so you have to make sure they don't throw the outfit off.
http://m.zappos.com/marty/p/dr.....ct/8098024

(They're also amazingly comfortable for my high arches!)

RobinF

Veteran

I love this question! I also don't like to look too girly - I think because I am short and have feminine facial features so I can look too sweet (haha, my hubby and kids might argue with that!) Anyway, I also wear quite a bit of black and like stompier shoes so maybe some of it is instinctual. I will watch this for more ideas.

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

When I feel a little too precious (happens more than I'd like, for the same reasons Robin mentions) I try to push towards "sporty". Jeans jacket and converse pair pair well together, for my casual life.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Chunky metal jewelry!

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I agree with Chewyspaghetti I have spiked earings and leather cuffs that a a bit if toughness.

Anonymous

I like a lightweight anorak in a classic olive green for de-sweetening a look. Lends it a combination of sporty and toughness. Push up the sleeves tighten the drawstring in back, add a few vintage crystal pins....

JuniperGreen

Veteran

I do tend to wear a lot of black so that's typically my go-to solution, as are some moto-inspired boots. I wear glasses and think that my bolder, navy frames are also helpful. BUT Angie's recent posts focusing on a lightened wardrobe palette have me rethinking this!

Same thing with the warmer weather... the black and moto stuff feels too heavy for spring/summer. So I'm really liking the suggestion of using sporty pieces! Anoraks and bombers will be fun to experiment with.

DonnaF

Veteran

I have a sleeveless and a 3/4 sleeve linen blend motos in addition to my sleeveless pleather moto. I also wear my olive green sleeveless utility jacket.

Zibbets

Veteran

A leather jacket can do it too.

Of the three I have, the ecru moto with silver hardware lends the least toughness, but it does do the trick and has been a workhorse.

My black leather blazer is dressy enough that it's also not super tough, but it does add a bit of stompy flair.

The black leather moto with lots of zippers and hardware tips the scale toward tough while still feeling like "me."

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Leather and metal and zippers, and studs. Thicker pieces, metal, thick metal bangles. Thicker soles on shoes and sandals.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Agree with all these! Jewelry, black, moto or denim jacket (mine is distressed which I think is even better), stompy/sporty/nerdy footwear. Dramatic makeup/hair.

rachylou

Veteran

Any shoe with a solid sole. And actually a spike heel will do it too (they're lethal if applied properly). Also: chain - chain strap purse, chain necklace. Military surplus. Wide/heavy leather belts. Those are my immediate thoughts...

Anonymous

You could also do things with hair ( spiked or ga super short cut or undercut; oil slick color) or makeup ( black or navy lipstick).
Camo print also comes to mind.