Dressing with a bit of an 'edgy' look.

[Richtea67]

Hi, I need to re vamp my wardrobe for autumn/winter and need some advice on how to incorporate a bit of 'edgy chic'. I'm early 40's, 5ft 2, size 14/16 and hour glass shape with big boobs and a bit of a mum tum. I have dark hair and olive skin, so tend to suit darker/autumn colours. I need a couple of staple bits, and some clothes I can also wear for work ( casual dress code). I already have some chunky boots and a grey leather jacket. I went shopping today in local town and it was totally uninspiring!

I don't know how edgy you want to go. I buy a lot of stuff at Joe Browns, but that might not be edgy enough for you.

It depends what you mean by edgy. If you mean a bit goth then try Disturbia.
https://www.disturbia.co.uk/collections/womens-dresses

I think trying to incorporate edgy, if it’s not your natural style is going to look odd, I’m sorry OP. People will think youve lost your mind. In our 40s, we should be dressing as ourselves, we know who we are by now. I was a teen goth, now I’m an alt adult working high up in in corporate role. Are you alt? I’m wearing chains on my black wide legged trousers and heavy mixed metal jewellery with my M&S merino wool polo neck. I do short pleated skirts with 10 denier tights and a band tee and a well fitting blazer, I still favour a chunky shoe even though they’re somewhat out of trend but I’m not changing 30 years of knowing what I like lol.

I love Thomas sabo and Tilly sveaas for big chunky jewellery and skulls and daggers. Oversized leather jacket can go with anything as do a pair of doc martens.

How do you describe 'edgy chic'? Is there someone famous you like the style of? It will help us to reply.

Allsaints?

I guess I don't really know what I mean...i want to feel confident and not mumsy. I'll have a look at all saints and Jo browns. I feel like I've really lost my sense of style over the past 10 years. I was hoping to get inspiration looking round the shops today, and nothing really appealed.

I am mid 50s and whilst it is kind of my natural style, I have become increasingly Claudia Winkleman in my outfits. In fact, I think she copied me! Maybe find somebody in the public eye who might be a style inspiration and have a look at what they are wearing?

I wouldn’t say Joe Browns is edgy. The brands you need are AllSaints, Zadig&Voltaire, Maje, Sandro, Diesel… maybe some things from Nobody’s Child.

Things that are good at this time of year are things like plaid shirts (can wear open or buttoned over a good pair of jeans, and ankle boots), silk dresses with a nice knit over the top and boots, knitted dresses, embellished denim shirt, houndstooth skirts/dresses, chunky jumpers and tights or leggings with chunky black Chelsea boots.

Claudia Winkleman in Traitors is good inspiration!!!

Disturbia is my go-to for Corporate Goth, if that is of any interest.

I hate myself for saying this but - truly - if you need to ask where to buy an ‘edgy’ look, you’re not going to look in the least edgy. And definitely not from the bland High St stores suggested here. At best you will look like every single other woman who has gone shopping with the same intention. (Which is perfectly fine.)

Can you not just decide to buy clothes you like, and project edginess through your grooming, conversation, interests and skills?

This is what I was going to say. It’s a bit what I think of as edgy but not so much so that you’ll look like you’re having a mid life crises. I actually really like their stuff generally, though it’s all very dark this autumn/winter

I’m late 30’s and agree that if you haven’t been edgy before now then it could come across as odd styling. I personally have always loved piercings and feel that the way they are stacked/ designed is almost like an edgy outfit by itself. Whether I wear leggings, oversized sweatshirt and converse or jeans, band tee, docs and a leather. My style is always consistent. Maybe pull out your favourite outfit and work from there. Good luck

Ive just looked through Disturbias site. OMG its beautiful. So my vibe. Hope Im not too old (52).

Im gonna get a haul from there next month for winter.

I bought this recently after another poster posted it here and it’s really lovely: https://www.marksandspencer.com/leather-look-midaxi-skater-skirt/p/clp22602514?color=BLACK&extid=psps-pla-pmax_ggl3pbch-UK--womenswear&gclsrc=aw.ds&gadsource=1&gadcampaignid=22697911888&gbraid=0AAAAAD7g6bT51VqAypgeEpuCIe73vwLAH&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk5nVBhDiARIsAHNGqacjd74Jga7GB1HK0Ysc7mgba4gBaX2f3YAiwoZuHvX6Yb3x06V09kaAsHIEALwwcB

I would also recommend having a look at Free People and Zadig & Voltaire.

Get yourself on Pinterest and start finding outfits you like, work out what you like about them - is it the structure/shape of the clothes, the colours, the material, the type of personality they evoke? Then make a list of items that would fit into an ideal wardrobe in that style and work together. THEN you can start looking for individual things!

I did this when I lost a lot of weight and basically had to start again with my wardrobe and I like a kind of, grown up alternative look. So I pinned a ton of outfits and looks I liked and worked out I liked e.g. structured, wide-leg bottoms, very fitted tops with long sleeves, dark denim and blacks/greys, leather jackets, kind of smart casual rather than athleisure, nothing too soft or drapey or frilly, etc, then worked out what kind of shoes tended to go with those outfits etc. Then I started building up a list of things that would build outfits within those parameters. Then I got on Vinted and hunted good-quality second hand ones down!

Have a look at Cos and Masai. Not particularly edgy but a bit interesting round the edges

How about the Scottish independent that Taylor Swift made famous with a green crushed velvet dress

Jaded Olive Velvet Wrap Mini Dress | 70s Boho | Little Lies

Play to your strengths, @Richtea67 . You are 5'2" and an hourglass. What suits Claudia Winkleman or some of the brands mentioned won't suit you.

• Follow your natural waist instead of disguising it
• Choose silhouettes that echo your natural lines
• Keep volume balanced between top and bottom
• Avoid shapeless cuts that hide proportion

I never thought I would ever see M&S clothes described as edgy!🤣

It’s how you style it! A black polo neck jumper, wide legged trousers or a satin midi, chunky monolith loafer or a witchy knee high boot, heavy chain link Tilly sveaas necklace, ring stacks, bracelet stacks, I’m covered in tattoos, nose ring and a head scarf if I ca t be arsed to wash my hair! That’s a corporate goth outfit. If I’m not at work I’m in band tees and jeans, converse etc but always heavy on the jewellery.

It’s how you style it!
The Little Lies dress might look great on Taylor Swift but she's not a petite hourglass.

Think about texture. Edgy often looks best when it combines contrasts - silk and leather, lace and hardware, wool and suede, print and plain, loose and tight (like a loose flowy dress with a tight underbust corset belt or lace cami with slouchy trousers).

I disagree with the idea that if someone hasn't been edgy (having read the word so many times now it's losing its meaning for me!) then busting out with it now just won't work. I think someone's period haven't had the mental energy or discussion resources to really get into things they. I also think we can grow into who we are over time, as opposed to popping out if the womb in docs or whatever. I think sometimes folks are intimidated to dress how they would like. There was the terrible school ground criticism of "wannabe", when I was a kid, as in someone who was fake, not really cool, and they'd be bullied for trying, in fact "try hard" was another mean term. Yes, some people pull off a look so seamlessly, but that skill doesn't make them more cool or edgy than someone who is wearing things that they just absolutely love.

I think it's OK to not know where to shop, and asking doesn't mean it won't suit you. It just means you haven't had the time or resources or confidence to explore this side of you before.

You could always go for adding a touch of edginess. Like many on this thread, I was into punk/goth/indie as a teenager and it's always influenced my style. I favour black/dark eyeliner, chunky silver jewellery, chunky footwear. I mix textures and shapes of clothing, futuristic and retro/vintage. Accessories are a good way to start playing with the aesthetic.

I agree with changing accessories. Chunky boots or a neon acrylic brooch, or investigate ear cuffs. Choose clashing colours instead of matching. Start small and feel comfortable with your look.