Here’s how to try something new with your style!
In many ways, choosing the clothes you wear is an art form and an expression of self-exploration. What’s “normal” has quickly expanded in the Western world.
Not too long ago, anything outside a white shirt and slacks would be considered edgy. Now, it seems like nothing is off the table when it comes to men’s fashion.
Edgy style is a category assigned to anything that feels outside the box. However, if you’re someone who’s just dipping your toe into edgy-style clothing, you might not be ready for the maximalist approach.
So, for this guide, we’ll focus on showing you how to incorporate statement pieces to make your style edgier. We can start small and end with some options that will show you what you can grow into.
What Is Edgy Style for Men?
It’s not just leather, straps, and anything sharp or pointy. Edgy style is synonymous with any kind of fashion that screams individuality. Anything that breaks away from chinos, polo, tees, and anything that looks plain, is considered edgy
The reality is that edgy style is in the eye of the beholder (or really the wearer). Adding a bold print in a pocket square might be bold for some. For others, the outlandish Balenciaga designs are the only things that make them feel alive and edgy.
The funny thing about edgy style is that it’s only edgy until it’s not. Most fashion trends start as an edgy choice and become normalized over time.
Every new style choice feels edgy when you first make it. It’ll feel more normal as you keep making those choices What’s edgy for you as the wearer changes as you grow and experiment with your style.
If your clothes get questions, double takes, and even hate comments, then you’re edgy. As a side note, take this as an opportunity to take pride in turning heads. Your individuality should get noticed.
How To Make Your Style Edgier
Dressing edgy isn’t for everyone. However, if you’re ready for more edginess when your current style feels like a rotation of the same things and it no longer excites you or even feels like you.
Start with baby steps.
The best place to start is a single statement piece. This could be as small as a tie or pocket square, a unique pair of shoes, or a brightly colored jacket. Statement pieces create focal points and add edginess to outfits you already know and love.
Your style becomes edgier each time you shift the boundary of what you’re used to. It’s more of a personal feeling rather than a strict style category.
What Is a Statement Piece?
A statement piece is any garment, accessory, or item that stands out. It can do so through pattern, color, texture, structure, shape, or even the way you style it.
Statement pieces garner attention and are usually what onlookers see first when they check you out. They’re an excellent foray into edgy style because you localize the edginess to one item and style around it.
You can experiment with statement pieces before shooting straight into over-the-top maximalism to scratch your edgy style itch.
What To Wear To Make Your Style Edgier?
We’ll start small with pops of color and pattern as easy statement pieces and then get into more unique items. It’s easier to add more edge to your style in smaller doses. Then, you can experiment with what you like and expand what feels unique and edgy to you.
1. A Bold Color Shirt or Top
The easiest way to add edginess to your style is with color, especially if it’s a color you don’t regularly wear. Our article “Spring Colors for Men” gives you more spring color ideas if you’re stuck.
Pick a color that contrasts with what you normally wear. If you’re usually in darker tones, opt for a brighter color.
If this is too much for you, stick to a tee that layers under shirts or jackets that you already own. You can tone it down if you need to.
2. A Bold Patterned Shirt or Top
If bold colors seem a little too entry-level, your next stop is bold patterns. Edgy and bold mean different things to everyone. If stripes feel wild to you, try them out.
Otherwise, you can find a slew of unique prints depending on where you shop. Think about floral designs, geometric patterns, or anything that speaks to you.
The scale of a pattern will impact how edgy it appears. Small-scale patterns, like micro polka-dots, will have less of an impact but are a good way to break into wearing edgier clothes.
A larger-scale pattern, like the flowers above, creates a greater impact. Combine bold patterns with bright colors, and you have an edgy piece ready to wear.
3. Bold Color Pants
Those who are bold enough to wear brightly colored pants get more edginess out of their outfits. In menswear, brighter colors break the norm and instantly add more edginess and dimension to your style.
It doesn’t have to be a pink pair of pants, but you can experiment with different shades of blues, greens, and so much more.
Opt for a color that isn’t in your current rotation if you’re looking for something edgier.
4. Bold Patterned Pants
Pants always make a statement because they take up so much visual surface area. If you’re looking for maximum impact, pants are a good place to achieve that.
I chose these patterned pants with a simple tank to make this spring outfit edgier. The pants do all the work here. Even something as simple as a pinstriped pant with a white t-shirt makes your outfit edgier.
5. Statement Jacket
A good statement jacket always does the trick. When it comes to edgier style, the statement doesn’t just have to be in the color or the print.
Sometimes, the material, like leather or suede, and the cut of the jacket make it more edgy.
The jacket above is a suede moto jacket. The suede material adds great texture, giving the outfit more depth. The moto structure makes it edgier in that traditional rock & roll/biker sense of the word.
If you’re looking to make your outfits edgier with the least amount of work, invest in a suede or leather moto jacket.
Alternatively, you can do a jacket with great colors, prints, or patterns as well. Adding this to simple layers will make your outfit stand out and definitely feel more edgy.
6. Edgy Layering
Edginess also comes out of how you wear, layer, and pair each item. Consider laying in an unusual way.
In the image above, the layers make the outfit edgy. A shirt layered over a turtleneck is already something unique. The neckline gives it impact. Then, finishing off with a short-sleeved mesh shirt creates even more texture and an unexpected combo.
This outfit feels edgier than just wearing a button-down and denim.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with your clothes. Edginess also comes from how you share your personality and style. How you wear your clothes is up to you!
7. Statement Jewelry and Accessories
A lot of people draw edginess into their outfits from their accessories. Rings, necklaces, watches, and even pocket squares offer opportunities for bold moments that feel edgy.
The nice thing about accessories is that they don’t take up too much space like a pair of pants. If you’re not ready for a big piece of jewelry, think about layering chains and necklaces or stacking rings and bracelets.
Our piece “Tips to Wear Rings as a Man” shows you how to do this with the items you already have.
8. A Bold Shoe Choice
A unique pair of shoes will make even the simplest outfits more exciting and edgy. A bold shoe choice was the first way I made my style more edgy.
Shoes are versatile. Even a bold or edgy shoe will most likely pair well with something you already own. Blue denim is a great base for an edgy shoe choice.
9. Styling Women’s Pieces
Don’t be afraid to venture into the other sections of the store when shopping. Sometimes, the menswear department just doesn’t have the edginess you’re looking for because the pieces are all cut and made the same.
The outfit above is one of my favorites, and the denim, bag, watch, and mesh polo all came from the women’s section. It adds an edginess and uniqueness to the outfit that I wouldn’t have otherwise found in the men’s section. Take inspiration from these 8 People Who Wear Menswear Better Than Men.
10. Style a Skirt
Skirts have become such a topic in popular media that they deserve their section in this guide. There are a lot of designers who are incorporating more skirts into their menswear, especially formalwear.
This formal look from Thom Brown combines a skirt and pants for a Black Tie outfit.
As a man, wearing a skirt is one of the easiest ways to press the envelope. It’s definitely not something that most men are comfortable doing.
11. Pattern Mixing
This may lean more bold and maximal as opposed to edgy, but mixing patterns creates a lot of visual interest. It can make a plain outfit feel a lot more edgy.
If you’re mixing patterns, consider playing with scale and color. The denim jacket above has a much larger scale pattern than the pants. The color also contrasts, so it doesn’t look mismatched. Thus, you get an edgy outfit without looking messy.
12. Explore Maximalism
Maximalism is for the folks who are ready for the most extreme edginess. The idea here is that more is more. More patterns, more colors, more layers, more accessories, and yet somehow, it all works together.
If this isn’t the kind of edginess you’re looking for, that’s ok. Just know that edgy style is a spectrum. You can start small and keep building. It’s about continually pushing your boundaries.
How Would You Make Your Style Edgier?
Hopefully, this guide gave you a better idea of how to make your style more edgy. You can start small and gradually get edgier and bolder as you get more comfortable.
If you have any questions or comments, leave them down below!
