What makes someone look cool/edgy?

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I wear similar clothes to a friend, she looks cool, I look ok but a bit dull. Is it down to hairstyle? She has short funky hair, I have shoulder length.

What do you think makes someone look cool, edgy?

I really like Studio Nicholson but I’m not sure it would be everyone’s cup of tea. If you like it you might like Raey as well which has some of the same elements. Same kind of price point too.

@ChardonnaysPetDragon completely get it! Think I need to stop aiming for cool and go for something else instead

Might be controversial but I think it’s harder to look edgy with a big bust. Clothes don’t hang in such an effortlessly, cool way. So maybe something to do with a person’s figure. Long legs help too.

I quite like some of the Studio Nicholson things, I have some balloon leg trousers already, need to stop being afraid to wear them.

If anyone would like to post a few outfits that are current and would work on my figure that I could wear for v casual work it would be very much appreciated.

Thank you, so glad I posted this.

@TheOGCCL

Might be controversial but I think it’s harder to look edgy with a big bust. Clothes don’t hang in such an effortlessly, cool way. So maybe something to do with a person’s figure. Long legs help too.

This. I have big boobs, I never look edgy.

Might be controversial but I think it’s harder to look edgy with a big bust

Completely agree with this.

Deportment- some people have the ability to look loose and relaxed while also standing up properly; others (me) are either slouching or stiff.

Clothes which are well cut and have some movement in them. Too big is better than too small.

Looking at all times as if you are physically comfortable and at ease in the world

Non-boring hair

I feel slightly more edgy since getting my nose pierced a few months ago

I stand awkwardly, being tall makes me a bit self conscious.

My hair is boring, can shoulder length hair ever be cool? Probably not!

I wear 2 mismatched earrings in each ear, that's as edgy as I get .

Given your enviable height you might want to look at Lemaire. It helps if you like largely colourless clothes. (I just … can’t. And they’d be too swamping on me anyway.)

Just look at the proportions. And the complete absence of any attempt to be ingratiating. The clothes are not ‘nice’. They’re tough and bulky and odd. But I can’t imagine one would ever stop wearing any piece until it fell apart. They really look like clothes that would grow into your life.

Rough. Rough is what I wrote, not tough. Though they might be. But they look oddly delicate and feminine, whilst being simultaneously don’t give a fuck.

Hair, make up, figure (sadly) being confidently laid back ....

I'm not even sure what edgy means let alone how to be it. Can someone define edgy please? Or post a picture next to something that's not edgy so I can compare.

@TheOGCCL

Might be controversial but I think it’s harder to look edgy with a big bust. Clothes don’t hang in such an effortlessly, cool way. So maybe something to do with a person’s figure. Long legs help too.

Agree. Being slim/skinny helps. Clothes just hang off you much better. If only food wasn't so godam nice!!

I imagine it means different things to different people. On another thread a while ago some of us fondly recalled how the ‘edgiest’ coolest students of our youth were the ones in tailored suits when everyone else was affecting grunge.

I’ve interpreted the OP’s comments as wanting to appear a little more avant-garde and unpredictable (while still remaining ‘appropriate’ for her environment / lifestyle).

@TheOGCCL

Might be controversial but I think it’s harder to look edgy with a big bust. Clothes don’t hang in such an effortlessly, cool way. So maybe something to do with a person’s figure. Long legs help too.

I dunno, I'm small of breast, have long lanky legs and am 5' 10" but don' think I've ever managed 'cool'. If I have a style, I think it's sort of 'droopy'.

I think hair that looks like you’ve done something to it makes the difference - either darker / lighter colour or cut or both. And make up. Good eyebrows - not too big but groomed and a good lipstick makes a big impact.

It's an overused phrase but I like the concept of 'elevating' a look - adding details to a bog standard look to bring it together and make it more you and less samey - statement earrings/trainers/lipstick etc
Less overwhelming than trying to reinvent your wardrobe in one go

Edgy doesn’t have to mean slim, but it does help. I have seen a fair few goths/rock and alternative styles achieve edgy while being overweight, and in fact if you can get the balance of goth right it can look amazing - biker boots, tulle or kilted asymmetric skirt, crisp shirt and heavy waist belt works on larger people too. Think Vivienne Westwood rather than Marilyn Manson. Also, bohemian glamour can be edgy too, on any size. Everything needs to be interesting because you’re a person who likes clothes/hair/accessories to be interesting - instead of having a wardrobe of navy jumpers and one beautiful top, you have heaps of beautiful cool pieces and one navy jumper.

I will admit it’s bloody hard to manage any sort of architectural androgyny when 5’2” and curvy, though.

5ft 10 and size 10!!! World's your oyster.

Find something gorgeous and show us.

Looking more striking than pretty....if that makes sense?

I think you need to mix stuff up as well - something new but with an old jacket/bag etc. At your height, look at Kin in John Lewis. Their stuff has the art teacher look about it.

androgyny isn’t necessarily a prerequisite!

All those Molly Goddard, and Cecilie Bahnsen frocks are almost aggressively feminine - but they’re quite disruptive. I’ve seen posts on MN indicating deep offence towards huge puffy dresses, candy colours and immoderate ruffles. And that’s because they upend our carefully constructed ‘working women’ personas - suggesting there’s another way to be powerful.

I think it has a lot to do with being tall, slim and elegant. That body type looks effortlessly cool in everything. My soft round body doesn’t look cool even if I wear the exact same clothes.

Height is obviously a divisive issue. I'm 5'8 and feel like a right gallumph (size 10, so objectively know I'm not). 5'10 is hard to get right. Can be more Miranda than Giselle and can look awkward. I think 5'6 is perfect for looking cool/edgy/whatever but you're stuck with your height, so just got to go with it.

@5128gap

I think its a genuine attitude of non conformity that can't be bought or faked. Like the first ever person who decided to team heavy boots and a battered leather jacket with a floaty dress, or white trainers with their wedding dress looked cool and edgy, because they broke the mould, did something unexpected, which may or may not have worked. The droves emulating these looks afterwards turn them mainstream so it's stops bring edgy. Genuinely cool and edgy people imo look good to most people about 50% of the time. The rest of the time a lot of people are thinking 'what is she wearing?' But thats ok, because they're too cool and edgy to care!

A great description