How can I look bit more 'edgy'

[TwentyOneGuns]

I'm early 40s and this is possibly a mid-life crisis kicking off but I'd love to look a little bit more edgy - I can't think of a better word to describe it but basically not quite like everyone else. I think there's a danger though of just looking a bit sad and whispers cheap.

My style is fairly casual, I'm shortish and curvy. I don't want to go down the full-on vintage/pin-up/big dresses from Lady V route which I know would probably fit the brief although I do like a few vintage inspired bits especially the odd unusual pattern.

I've got very short hair but I think it's looking a bit meh these days, definitely don't want to grow it but am wondering about a more flattering style that won't make me look like Kris Jenner.

Can anyone suggest any small updates to give me a bit more of an 'edge' without making me look like a complete fool?

I'm head to toe in whistles at the moment, aged 40. I feel edgy for me, I was Boden and joules in my thirties what a idiot I was

Charity shops are great-you find things from shops or brands you've never heard of so then I know I'm not buying them for the image but because they look nice, feel good and are well made. Also there won't be three people wearing the same thing as you when you go out.

Easiest is haircut / colour. Something "not safe".

I loved Jennifer Lawrence's short hair (have attached a pic), and she is seriously cool I think, (if not necessarily edgy).

Re clothes and makeup, I really like a put-together-grunge sort of look, which might fit your bill. It's casual, but cool and is pretty ageless I think. Have a look on Pinterest for grunge outfits maybe, but thinking floaty skirts with chunky boots, layering and dark eyeliner.

If you wear specs, get new frames.
If you wear contacts, ditch them and see above.

Seriously, you can dress head to toe in Joules and White Stuff but if your glasses are 'edgy' everyone will think you are too.

I totally get what you mean, Op.

I think wearing some unique accessories, like jewellery could work. I can't give you any examples, but I'm thinking a statement necklace, arm cuff, or fab shoes.

Alternatively, what about a piercing? If you feel self conscious, you could go for a piercing in your ear, other than your lobe. Poppy's style blog has a nose piercing (like a bull - have no idea what it's called). Anyway, I don't like the piercing, but I do think it give her an 'edge'.

I bought a very cheap 'pleather' jacket from Primark, and I feel v edgy when I wear it. I love it. My style is very middle of the road, but I find reading a few style blogs and buying one or two cheap but fashionable things lifts me a bit. I also had my hair chopped and highlighted which was great.

I have a pair of black peep toe/heel cut-out shoe boots which just make anything I wear look a bit rock n roll! Bonus feature is they're not even very high (5 or 6 cm block heel) and are as comfy as you'd like.

I think you just have to go for it as there's no such thing as a safe edgy look. Try not to have outfits that are too matchy, you want to look like you've thrown something on without much thought.

Mix up textures and fabrics, suede, lived in leather, linen, silk, denim and wear some chunky unusual jewellery, try some bright coloured nail varnish.

Dating a rock star also ups your edginess rating

I don't look edgy (would like to, but can't pull it off) but bought the darkest red clinique lipstick this year and it transforms me into a 'together' (almost edgy) person. I also think cut out toe boots can help - but can be difficult to wear if short and cutvy. I have a thin wrap around leather wrist cuff which I wear with girlfriend jeans and a thin, dark jumper and that finishes a Hush-type look well.
It's fun trying, if nothing else.

Gus I bought the same jacket, and came on here to say exactly that! I'm pushing 50 in my forties and I think I can still get away with it, as long as I wear it as a contrast to my other clothes, ie floaty skirts/long lacy tops.

OP, I'd definitely go for a funky hair colour (grey/lavender?) with some big glasses or classy big jewellery (dull silver necklaces look classy but a bit alternative I always think)

This is all great, lots to think about.

Funnily enough I was looking at pics of Jennifer Lawrence's hair last night and have been considering a small piercing (possibly nose but a delicate stud rather than a ring). I do wear lenses but have some nice glasses too, I love them but the down side is I'm very short sighted so they make my eyes look small and piggy - really not the look I was going for!

I can think of several rock stars I'd happily date in the name of research .

I went for a cut like this the other week and LOVE it. Not mega edgy, but I like it.

Practically undercut up to a longer top.

A word of caution about short hair: I did this 2 years ago, age 44, and loved the cut, got loads of compliments etc BUT ...... I actually found it harder to look edgy with short hair. On a good day, if my hair went right and in the right outfit, it definitely worked for me - but nine times out of ten I felt more like Janice Battersby than Jennifer Lawrence, and the overall effect was actually a tad aging.

I don't know about 'edgy' but I find that black skinnies, biker jackets and red lipstick generally work for me. Or quirky prints but worn with bikers and ankle boots, rather than girly shoes and cardigans.

Maybe edgy was the wrong word but that's definitely the sort of thing I mean. I live in my biker jacket with everything from jeans (mostly) to formal dresses (once in a blue moon!)

Oh God, Janice Battersby is exactly the kind of thing I'm trying to avoid! What do you think it is that makes the difference?

Colour is important. That cheap henna or burgundy or two tone blonde/dark. Not good.

I'd think about the piercing very carefully. I think they look a bit try hard.

I have a very delicate rose gold nose ring to up my 'edge factor'!

I love my piercing but be warned - it hurt like hell and still isn't fully healed 9 months later.

twentyoneguns well after having the Janice B experience with short hair, I've now got a bob that's just above my shoulders; any longer and it drags my face down, making it impossible to look edgy. So for me, going slightly shorter works a lot better than going very short.

PS - I only ever feel truly edgy in skinny jeans and heels. But I'm quite happy if I look elegant and immaculate for work (well hopefully!) and girly/summery in weekend dresses.

I am middle aged and quite vanilla, but always have short, dark nails in metallics - black/bronze/navy/green. It surprises the nail techs but it makes me feel less bland. No patterns on clothes, I stick to skinnies and block colour tops. I also steer clear of big, statement jewellery/scarves. To me they scream middle aged, middle management, public sector worker. This isn't a million miles from what I am, but it absolutely isn't what I want to look like.

If I could manage heels I would love some black, open toed shoe boots or cage shoes which always look cool to me, but the sight of a middle aged lady hobbling along cobbles is not cool at all!

I think my inability to walk in heels seriously limits my cool factor if I'm honest .

Update: so I went for it and had my nose pierced yesterday. Not sure if it makes me look edgy or a bit desperate but I love it :).

witsender that's my hair too

Glad you like piercing OP.
I'm fairly fat so tend to go for a plain silhouette and break it up with jewellery or unusual shoes