Rock chick lite?

[catteabook]

In my younger days my style was very much “rock chick”: leather, ripped jeans, band tees, heavy eyeliner, fishnets etc.

in my 30s I had young kids and lost my way a bit lived in skinny jeans and tunics.

im largely happy with what wear now which is basics with some more edgy elements so a plain ish dress with my beloved leather hooded bomber jacket and DMs or DM sandals.

the problem is this is quite seasonal and also if I for example visit someone and remove jacket/shoes at the door I’m essentially wearing a plain dress with no personality.

I’m relying too heavily on accessories which are often/sometimes removed at my actual destination.

My question is how, at 45yrs, do I honour my ‘rock chick’ sensibilities without feeling like I’m cosplaying? I’ve evolved from the full on aesthetic but still want…suggestions…of it iyswim?
so I want to add some ‘toughness’ to an outfit (aside from leather jacket + boots) without being too ‘on the nose’? Any suggestions!

I’ve put a few examples of the kind of thing I currently wear, and a leather skirt I’ve just ordered. (I will style completely different from photo).

Please don’t just say ‘wear whatever you want’ ‘don’t worry about what others think’ It’s more about me feeling comfortable, not feeling like I’m wearing a costume, as opposed to what others think.

thanks!

It’s my styling too but a bit of added goth lite and biker girl too, except work, can’t be dealing with any of this at 8am, I’m a crawl out of bed and be in the car in 15 minutes person including showering so jersey dresses, leggings and zip up biker boots, no make up!

ive just got a new dress from disturbia and a skirt from hell bunny.

I was looking at disturbia the other day, I’m drawn to all the stuff tbh, but being realistic it wouldn’t get worn day to day.
i love the harnesses but that ship has sailed for me!
I did put a few t-shirt dresses with skull/ rose style motifs in my basket, which would be easy to throw on with boots and I’d feel ok in for school run/day-to-day.

Other than hair, think about dark press on nails, jewellery

Which dress/skirt did you get @bababamama? #nosy

You've got a similar vibe to me. I'm an ex mosher but nowadays tend to use the "three words" method to describe my style and help focus me when choosing clothes. Obviously the three words are different for everyone but mine are "minimal, relaxed, edge" so when I'm buying clothes they have to fit into one of those categories which has helped me become more intentional rather than buying lots of random stuff.

I tend to go for texture a lot to add to an otherwise basic outfit....a lace skirt with boots and a basic jumper, velvet trousers with trainers, a simple dress with biker boots, a leather jacket over a basic jeans and t shirt. That sort of thing.

I agree with others that the little touches help. I always, always wear jewellery. Usually a chunky gold chain choker necklace, I got a double helix piercing when I was 35 so always have hoops there and I wear an ear cuff every day. Always some form of bangle or bracelet and an anklet and toe ring in summer.

If I wear eyeliner which is mainly in the evening I'll draw the line on and then smudge it a bit with my finger just to soften it up. I've got tattoos but they're not usually on show.

In terms of haircut.....sounds like a wolf haircut would suit you? I'm toying with that idea myself..... I currently have a blunt bob so the total opposite but my hair is naturally wavy and I do love that look.

I’m joining in here, this is very much my style too! Love your selection of clothes OP. I’ve lost my way over the last few years due to weight gain but have lost 2 stone so far & feel like I’m getting my groove back!

I like a similar look - kind of Emmanuelle Alt, Charlotte Gainsbourg type of look - if in doubt wear straight jeans and a denim shirt plus converse! Look at pinterest and put together a board of looks you like.

I don't really want to look like a goth or like I did when I was 16 (with doc martens and long cardigans). As well as said converse, I also have a collection of ballet pumps, pointy pumps and ankle boots for winter.

Oh and I also have had layers cut into my hair which I've had a lot of compliments on - kind of shaggy rock chick look (although it did stray alarmingly into Rod Stewart territory at one stage).

Try Mikuta it is a bit expensive though

I'm joining in too, as this is also me. I was self-deprecatingly calling my style 'ageing rock chick' (because I am quite old) but I much prefer 'rock chick lite', so thanks for that description@catteabook.

My style was quite 'gothy' when I was younger, but it doesn't feel right now. I think I'd probably describe it as rock chick with a classic edge. I like jeans and a biker jacket with a cashmere jumper, for example, and like @GameOfJones I go for texture to add interest to an outfit. I don't wear much jewellery, maybe I should look into that. For footwear I like boots, retro style trainers and ballet flats. I also love colour, especially in bags and shoes.

Ooh, @tostaky I am coveting Mikuta's studded leather mules!

I’m now rocking a more expensive version of rock chic.
Wolf cut (pretty much what you’ve got in your photo - look at The Heavy Metal Hairdresser instagram for inspiration). Works really well with curly or wavy hair and is easy to manage.
Shop at AllSaints and The Kooples. Well, I mainly try things on there but buy stuff on Vinted.😂
Studded belt. Leather jacket.
I absolutely love unusual broderie anglais and lace/mesh shirts worn with jeans. In black, of course, but sometimes with a red or white top underneath.

😂

I bought a couple of dresses from Disturbia but tbh they weren’t great, which was disappointing.

I like your description of Rock chick lite and think I know the vibe you mean.

dod anybody watch eastenders years ago? I loved the styling of Ronnie, Samantha Janus’ character.

it was slightly edgy, lots of blacks and purples and chunky footwear, but still feminine, and it went really well with her blonde hair, ie not too rocky, it was a lovely contrast.

I would love her wardrobe

I do black eye shadow with a thin brush rather than liquid eyeliner.Its softer.

Carine Roitfeld the fashion editor has quite a good grown up rock chick look.

No suggestions OP but I bought the Sosandar skirt you posted and it’s lovely so thank you!

Love that site! The jewellery is great!

How about a softer smudged brown/bronze eye liner? I have the Victoria Beckham cinnamon and much more forgiving and flattering on me now.

I love disturbia and i get a lot from there, they do have a lot of day to day things though, the trousers are great! I have the ones with one black leg one tartan leg and always get compliments on them with some docs/black converse and a black jumper. Trousers stay on at the door too 😅 only thing i would say is size up in the trousers... or maybe im just naiive on my sizing!

Thanks there’s some really nice things on that site.

I’m collecting mine on my lunch today so this is good to hear!

This is exactly what I do at the moment, with exactly the same eyeliner pencil as suggested!
Possibly a little too grown up and tasteful though for the look I’m after.

All the rings on, earrings in and haircut is no 1 sides and back, bit longer on top, but as I'm a side sleeper, I usually have some sort of mohawk. Then I just wear whatever I feel like, I'm an old punk and I no longer give a shit what people think. TBH, I never really did. Don't overthink it, just do what feels natural and makes you happy.

I’ve followed some ‘soft alt’ and over 40s alt accounts on Instagram to try and train my algorithm away from mum influencers!

one takeaway is I need some straight leg black jeans that I can turn up to sit above ankle and wear with boots.
I do have black jeans but they’re slightly flared. (They make my legs look longer though, at 5’3” every little helps!!)

and my studded belt is too skinny.

Surely all punks are old now, @unsync? I doubt many passers by in 2026 associate this particular tribe with rebelliousness or threat or anything similar.