If you like edgy style, your age doesn’t matter. But if you are looking for inspiration and ideas on how to dress edgy in your 40s, this article is written especially for you. It is a love letter to everything edgy and cool. I collected all my favorite fashion pictures of edgy women in their 40s.
This sort of edgy style works for any occasion: picking up kids from school, having dinner with friends, a meeting with the book club. Or, of course, a rock concert.
The full guide to edgy style
I structured this article a bit differently. First, we take a look at the 13 elements of edgy style. Some of them are trends for 2024. You have to be a bit trendy to be edgy.
Other style ideas are timeless parts of edgy style and have been around since the 80s. Check how many elements you already have in your wardrobe.
I also strongly advise you to study the different street style pictures. Looking at them, you will see the edgy style come to life.
The metal side of edgy
Anything metal is a big trend for 2024. Maybe you already have some metal clothes and accessories in your wardrobe, you know, from the last 3 decades. It’s time to bring out your metal pieces and put them in front row in your wardrobe.
For those casual days when life is more about grocery shopping than fashion shows, I especially like a pair of metal-colored shoes. For other occasions, I recommend a pleated metallic skirt.
Look at the ladies in the 4 pictures, mastering how to dress edgy in your 40s, all thanks to the splash of metal in their outfits. It looks both modern and age-appropriate. (Although I hate that word, but we are looking for a style that suits us and our lives.)
You cant do edgy without taking a look at leather
First of all, it does not have to be real leather. And if you want real leather, you can source second-hand shops. Or, if you are looking for an investment piece that will serve you for decades, real leather might be an alternative. The pieces shown here certainly are stunning.
Once again, I found 6 pictures that perfectly show us edgy style for women in their 40s.
I love a red leather skirt, but if your life is more casual, I recommend a pair of leather joggers (those are faux leather). They are surprisingly versatile and work with a lot of other ideas in this article.
Denim is part of the holy trifecta of edgy style
If your question is about how to dress more edgy as a woman in her 40s, I suggest starting by pulling out all your denim pieces. Edgy style consists of a couple of main ingredients, and denim certainly is one of them.
By updating your wardrobe with a couple of modern denim pieces, you will have an easy time achieving edgy style.
Start with denim and add one or two more edgy elements from this list and you will have yourself an unforgettable outfit. For 2024 an midi length denim skirt is a big trend.
Edgy doesn’t mean all black
When we think about edgy style, we tend to forget about color. But a bold color is one of the easiest ways to look edgy and modern, regardless of your age.
Just take a look at these ladies and feel your inspiration juice flowing. Colorful pants, anyone? Or a jacket in a punchy shade? If you are shy around color, I strongly recommend just adding one colorful accessory.
Black is synonymous with an edgy style
Now we are back in classic edgy territory, the all-black outfit. When in doubt, embrace the color of darkness. Goths, synths, and punks all love their black.
The key to a good outfit when you are wondering how to dress edgy in your 40s, is different textures and a bit of sheen. Do add velvet and silk and a touch of lace.
Play with volume to achieve an edgy look
Edgy is not always about clothes being skintight, this is especially important to remember now when you are in your 40s. It is 2024 and oversized is back in fashion big time. Maybe you saved some things from the 80s?
When you are looking for what to wear, experimenting with volume is a key aspect. Bring out your clothes and start trying. To get this trend right, you have to see how the clothes fall.
I especially recommend an oversized coat; it will keep you cozy throughout your different activities.
Textures make any outfit interesting
Being a bit older, you feel comfortable enough to wear interesting textures. Try something fluffy, or a bit of tweed. It is all about how you combine the different materials, do leather with a wool blazer and a nice knitted sweater.
Once again, I urge you to try your clothes. Take some pictures of your best ideas.
You probably have a lot more cool clothes than you think. Creating outfits will make you realize exactly which items are missing for you to achieve an effortless, edgy style.
Playing with textures is the master class.
Asymmetry is the key to casual edginess
Say hello to a trend that’s been here for decades and still is going strong in 2024. Edgy doesn’t have to be complicated. Just pick something asymmetric and you have instant edgy chicness.
This trend can be utilized in many different ways, just look at the 6 pictures I found. Asymmetric clothes works regardless of your age. They will always receive compliments.
Be the cool girl, even in your 40. Cool women will be the correct term.
Cutouts are still going strong
Admitingly, cutouts are a bit more difficult to pull off, but when you succeed, you will look amazing. This is a daring style, for sure. But you can also look for cutouts in accessories, such as jewelry, bags and shoes.
Dressing edgy in your 40s is all about finding those details that take your outfit to the next level. I particularly like getting a white T-shirt with a small cutout. It is easy to use with things already in your wardrobe and any outfit will instantly look more edgy.
Suede is a little bit cowboy and a little bit fashion
First of all, it can be a faux suede. No need to wear real leather if that’s against your belief. But yeah, take a look at this picture, the texture of suede just adds that small casual edgyness we all long for.
It can be a pair of pants, a jacket or a skirt. If you are only adding one edgy piece, I recommend making it a suede one. It is easy to wear, it doesn’t look too young. On the contrary, it looks classy and also like you are the singer in a band.
If you are not ready for full suede, just get a pair of shoes where this material is featured.
Edgy prints is the way for anyone looking to make a statement
A good print is an instant outfit maker. I especially love prints on older women. Maybe because it shows a desire to take up space. To be seen and noticed.
If a woman is wearing a bold print, I will instantly want to talk with her and hear her life story. Such is the power of a good print.
If you are asking how to dress edgy in your 40s, I’m guessing you don’t want to stand on the sidelines?
I especially like the outfit of the woman in the last picture, she is ticking all the boxes for edgy dressing. If you saw her you would wonder if she was an artist or a singer, or perhaps a fashion designer.
Life is too short to dress boring.
Classic edgy dressing is about mesh and lace
When you are thinking about dressing edgy in your 40s, lace and mesh are probably the first thing that springs to mind (except leather.) This “revealing” style have been around for decades, You probably already have a couple of items in your wardrobe.
The trick to styling them is to combine them with more tailored pieces, to give you a grown-up edginess.
Summer 2024 mesh flats are a big trend, but really, anything mesh will make you look edgy.
Keep it cool by wearing sneakers
Edgy clothes can come across as a bit “trying too hard,” to mitigate this effect,I strongly recommend adding a pair of sneakers. You will look casual and youthfully 😉
Wearing sneakers with more serious pieces is a good styling trick when you want to dress edgy. I recommend having a look at your sneakers and maybe buying a few new ones. The right sneakers have the power to transform an ordinary outfit.
Are you interested in more outfit ideas, and good strategies for getting dressed? Read my article Summer capsule wardrobe for women over 40, summer 2023.
22 outfit examples on how to dress edgy in your 40s
Now we will take a look at some picture of real women, looking edgy in real life. I tried to find pictures of women in their 40s, but that’s not always easy since I also wanted to showcase edgy style. (I also didn’t want to show a parade of white women; they are everywhere anyway.)
Outfit 1
I love a pair of grey jeans for an edgy style. Get a pair that’s slightly oversized, and if you can find a pair with cut-outs; even better. Add a leather shirt or like the lady in the picture; a denim shirt. Make sure you have a metallic bag and a pair of killer sunglasses.
Outfit 2
Here I wanted to show how a strong color gives you an edgy look. This styling trick is particularly good when you are wondering how to dress edgy in your 40s. Make the outfit a simple column in one color, and add a great coat or jacket. Extra bonus points for red shoes. This lady is also wearing a metallic bag.
Outfit 3
This is such a good example of how to keep it edgy as you mature. A longer leather skirt combined with a great pair of black boots. I like her glasses as well. Any top would work, but if you like black, go for it.
If you feel inspired by French style, read my article How to dress like a French woman over 40.
Outfit 4
A great leather jacket (or faux leather) is probably something you already have in your wardrobe. Make it more grown up by adding a shirt. For a sleek look, I recommend leggings (in faux suede). Militare pants would work as well.
The right sneakers will add the extra oomph.
Outfit 5
You can be edgy and a lady at the same time, all you need is a cool blouse and a pencil skirt. Check out her pink shoes; I love them. Great styling trick for adding edgyness to any outfit.
Outfit 6
A long denim skirt is on trend for summer 2024, it is also one of the best items for looking edgy as a lady of a certain age. I would wear it with a simple T-shirt and bonus points if you have a suede jacket. Combining denim and leather gives you the best edgy outfits.
Outfit 7
This happy lady is showing us the edgy perfection of red pants (or a skirt) and a black top. Bring out your sambas and add a red bag and you will be the life of any party.
Outfit 8
You are probably wondering how to wear your denim jacket, combine it with black leather and a white T-shirt for a minimalistic, yet edgy look.
Do you love good outfit ideas? One of my most popular articles is What to wear to dinner with friends in 2024.
Outfit 9
Bring on the colors and the oversized leather pants, mix them like a good stew and light up any dark winter day. This outfit would look good in the summertime if you just wear leather shorts and a colorful top.
Outfit 10
I didn’t find a picture of a lady in a bold print, but we all know what they look like. dress down your statement dress with a leather jacket.
Outfit 11
Another idea is the silk shirt combined with the band T-shirt (as in the bottom picture.) I also like the idea of a colorful skirt with a neutral top. It is easier to wear color further away from your face if you are not used to wearing color.
Outfit 12
Slouchy pants and a great leather jacket are an edgy style that’s absolutely right for 2024. Ad a silky top and you will receive tons of compliments. Edgy style is all about balancing feminine with masculine.
Outfit 13
No edgy outfit round-ups are complete without stripes. All kinds of stripes will increase your edginess. They are easy to wear for all ages.
Outfit 14
Another epic stripe outfit, both on the woman in the picture and in my collage. Do get a striped skirt if you only invest in one item to get your edgy style in your 40s.
Outfit 15
A good blouse (hello animal print) is another investment worth considering. Here I also show the power of a good asymetric skirt.
Outfit 16
Wondering how to wear your printed pants? They actually look great with any of your old band T-shirts. A suede jacket will look more elegant than a classic leather jacket. But the woman in the picture totally rocks.
Outfit 17
A leather blazer is something to be looking for when you are wondering how to dress edgy in your 40s. It is the grown up version of a leather jacket. It will look particularly good with a pair of printed pants and a black sweater.
Outfit 18
The power of denim and a good edgy boot. If you feel your wardrobe is starting to look a bit dated, I would start by buying two new pieces of denim. Now oversized denim is trendy again. A cool denim jacket is always a good idea, there are plenty of option that feels more suitable for “older” women.
Outfit 19
Combine your printed dress with a black turtleneck for a fun and fashion forward look. I particularly like this outfit for an autumn day, wear it with chunky boots.
Outfit 20
Silk shirts are a big trend now, take yours in an edgy direction by wearing a simple top and an cool jacket to dress down the elegance of the skirt.
Outfit 21
A metallic blazer matches anything and everything you already have in your closet. A pair of wide-legged trousers looks modern. The two women show the power of black pants with a black mesh top.
Outfit 22
To finish things off I wanted to show how metallic shades add edginess to any outfit. A bit of sparkle will make you stand out in any crowd.
A final note on how to dress edgy in your 40s
When you want to create an edgy outfit, go through my 13 elements of edgy style, pick two or three and create your outfit based on these elements. When you create a shopping list, go through my ideas and write down the items that resonate the most with you. You get edgy style by having the right items in your wardrobe and also by combining them in a cool and unique way.
To achieve this takes a bit of experimenting. Stay inspired and keep trying your clothes until you find a couple of outfits that feel like you.
Moa Ailert is the founder and editor-in-chief of Her Brilliant Friend.
She has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and plenty of insight into human psychology from traveling and living in different places around the world.
Moa is currently based in Portugal where she has a guesthouse; Villa dos Irmaos.
She has various websites, among others Ericeira Insider, but Her brilliant friend is her true passion project.
