A pale girl’s guide to looking edgy without looking drab

40+ edgy style

Edgy style…

Every now and then I take a step on the dark side, give in to my inner rebel and let the angry rock chick roam free… Well, usually I just flirt with edgy accessories, mixing them with streamlined shapes and my usual palette of colours. Monochrome black really isn’t my thing. That is, It’s not my thing anymore.

40+ edgy style

Like most women, I used to wear a lot of black at one point. Then I just got tired of it. After all, it didn’t really do much to help me stand out in a positive way. It didn’t make me look stylish or interesting, either, only pale and drab. For the record: “pale and interesting” is a completely theoretical concept; in real life it’s an oxymoron.

Women with olive skin tones look amazing in all black (and white, and pale pastels…), but if you skin is very pale with pinkish undertones, like mine, it may be better to add a little bit of colour to soften the look. Just substituting black with grey is not going to be enough: sure, it’s softer than all black, but it’s still draining all colour from your face. Not very encouraging, if clothes are supposed to make us look and feel our best, bring that inner glow onto the surface…

And to be honest, at my age I take all the help I can get to look glowingly fresh-faced and well-rested. And if a little bit of colour is the easiest way to do that, then so be it. That’s why there has to be an element of colour in my mock-monochromatic look here: the burgundy cardigan is dark enough to go with the edgy style but brings some colour to my face. Well, that and some bright lipstick…

40+ edgy style

I am wearing:

leather skirt: Karen Millen (old) / t-shirt: Queen of Evil (old) / cashmere cardigan: Brora (a/w 2014) / boots: Bronx (old) / bag: Chanel / bangle: Jessica Cagan Cushman

what about you? How do you get that edgy look?

Tiina

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Linking up with: Share-in-StyleStyled Up, Turning Heads Tuesday

22 Comments

  1. Suzanne Carillo
    15 March 2015 / 1:33 pm

    LOVE the tee!I like to wear leather, boots and graphic tees. It's not often you'll see me in all black either. I prefer colour.bisousSuzannehttp://www.suzannecarillo.com

    • Tiina L
      16 March 2015 / 8:36 am

      Thanks, Suzanne. Yes, I prefer colour, too. Mainly because it makes me look better…

  2. Charlotte Issyvoo
    16 March 2015 / 5:21 am

    You and I are of a similar age and have very similar colouring so this is an interesting topic for me. I've never really felt that black makes me look dragged out, but, at the same time, I wear very few all-black outfits, so maybe I unconsciously knew it was no good for me. I like going a bit edgy sometimes too. Your T does the trick.

    • Tiina L
      16 March 2015 / 8:43 am

      Yes, your own colouring is the key to how to wear colour. Some colours make you look amazing, whereas others make you blend into the wall (hello beige!). I used to wear a lot of black at one point, but I really saw the difference in how black made me look (and feel) when I started wearing more colour. I still like black, but I think it looks so much better on other people.

  3. Mrs C
    16 March 2015 / 8:05 am

    One of my favorite look of yours, definitely! You look cool with a touch 'no-nonsense' air and the color is spot on. I cannot do yellow and certain green. I would look like a ghost in them.

    • Tiina L
      16 March 2015 / 8:44 am

      Thanks, dear! I'm a 'no-nonsense' girl, especially at work…

  4. Jill James
    16 March 2015 / 9:05 am

    This is such a different look on you than I have seen but it really suits you, must be that inner rebel shining through.The long burgundy knit sets it all off , those jewel tones really shine on you.

    • Tiina L
      16 March 2015 / 9:22 pm

      Thanks, Jill. Yes, I need a little bit of colour, even when I'm being edgy…

  5. Julie
    16 March 2015 / 2:01 pm

    Perfect edgy look, and that colored cardigan really does look great with your skin tone. I wear A LOT of black. I've been trying to add in more color to my wardrobe though. I have more of an olive skintone….but right now I'm really pale (stupid winter)

    • Tiina L
      16 March 2015 / 9:26 pm

      Thanks, Julie. I avoided black for many years, I guess I just got tired of it and needed a change. Now I'm gradually reintoducing it into my wardrobe, but only in small doses. It's never going to be one of my best colours, though…

  6. Elsie Davies
    16 March 2015 / 2:40 pm

    This outfit is sure screaming edgy. Leather skirt, tick, rock star tee, tick tick, boots, tick tick tick. FABULOUS1

    • Tiina L
      16 March 2015 / 9:28 pm

      Thanks, Elsie. I guess we all have those days when we need to seem tough and edgy…

  7. Connie
    16 March 2015 / 5:30 pm

    You look so great in your rock star tee. I know what you mean. I used to be all about black on black on black and then one day, the cloud lifted and now I must have color.

    • Tiina L
      16 March 2015 / 9:30 pm

      Thanks, Connie. Yes, that's exactly how it was: black seemed to fit a rather bleak time of my life, and then I just had enough and needed colour again…

  8. Jessica Jannenga
    16 March 2015 / 10:30 pm

    Great post. I am one of the pale girls. I plan on an all black look soon. Love the vibrant cardigan color as well. the T is very cool in college I wore alot of Metallica t shirts. from the link up, please stop by, jess xxhttp://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.comWould love to see you at my first fashion link up Tues March 17 7AM Turning Heads Tues

    • Tiina L
      17 March 2015 / 1:03 pm

      Thanks, Jessica. How exciting, your new link-up, I will have to check that out for sure.

  9. Jessica Jannenga
    17 March 2015 / 2:26 pm

    Love the tank and the orchid cardigan on you!! I could use some edge huh? o;)Happy St Pattys Day! and thanks for being a part of Turning Heads Tuesday!jess xohttp://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com/

    • Tiina L
      18 March 2015 / 4:54 pm

      Thanks, Jessica!

  10. Marea Dotz
    17 March 2015 / 4:28 pm

    I've always loved your jewel-toned wardrobe and I find it interesting that even though you went black and rebel, your colorful sweater and red lipstick stand out. You have your very own Tiina Style that comes out no matter what you wear. I really admire that.

    • Tiina L
      18 March 2015 / 4:58 pm

      Thank you so much for your kind words! I guess I just need some colour to brighten up my face, and my mood.

  11. Beata B
    19 March 2015 / 10:24 pm

    Love the tee ! You look fantastic 🙂 x

    • Tiina L
      20 March 2015 / 4:39 pm

      Thanks, Beata!

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