FashBlog.com

I’ll show my ignorance here -what is the value placed on “edginess” these days? Since the middle of last year, have heard reference at least once a week to this adjective (or noun), and I’m believing that I either slept through an English vocabulary class or am living in middle age geekiness. Is this a word to which only people under 25 can relate? Are they the only ones who truly understand what it means to be “edgy”? I saw no fewer than 2 ads in as many days asking for “edgy” writers. Just what makes writing edgy? Perhaps it’s the style in those free, urban newspapers that post every nightclub and restaurant, and pages of personal ads. Now, I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with those publications, but I am not impressed with the writing because the writers are too impressed with themselves. Pieces are written in the tone that the writer is so aware of the latest scene, they obviously define what’s cool. This does nothing to endear me to them, and words not usually used by the general population are thrown in so we realize how “not with it” we are. Is that condescending style considered edgy?

When this word is applied to fashion, I am left scratching my head. Skimming through one of the newest spring magazines, I saw the word several times. Try as I might, I could not perceive one independent trait that the clothing had, as a group, rendering it “edgy”. I even saw an entire boutique that was advertised for its “edginess”. Now, there are some other descriptive adjectives that may apply, depending upon your frame of reference. Some examples may be: tough, sharp, distinct, unique, bold, brave, loud, asymmetrical, surprising, fun and having attitude. Now let’s think about this for a minute…don’t we all have something in our closets that can fit some of those descriptions? Does that make us “edgy”? When I’m on edge, it’s not a pleasant situation for me or for anyone else-you’d want me to be less “edgy” than more so!

That word has also been applied to movies, performances, and even music; when I think of “cutting edge”, I have to ask, the edge of what? And who the heck wants to be on the edge of anything? Wouldn’t we want to be planted firmly in the midst of whatever it is we’re trying to achieve? I can’t help but place negative connotations on that word, and it’s because I think that anyone who’s looking for edginess is trying to simply present an image that’s not entirely honest. If I have to try to be a certain way, it obviously isn’t from my heart, and trying to show others just how “with it” I am, for the sheer fact of proving I can be, simply takes too much work.

If you haven’t figured it out by now, this piece is a cynical take on the words that the press wants us to find appealing, hoping we jump at the chance to be described by the word of the day. As a writer, I’m well aware of the power of words, and having worked for years in marketing, I know the importance of vocabulary when it comes to sales. It makes me somewhat oblivious to what ads say, because I know they’re prepared by someone like me who’s been told to use a certain word as much as possible. So I don’t fall for it, and neither should you. Buy and wear the fashion items that touch your heart and you will be more comfortable and confident. This will show in many aspects and you will thus appear more attractive, even if someone else has slapped other labels of them such as “boring”, “too retro”, or “old fashioned”. Don’t be overtly influenced to buy something that really doesn’t flatter you or work with your lifestyle just because some writer, somewhere, slapped a fancy adjective on it. Remember that fashions change so millions of people can retain employment in the industry, and if you don’t like those changes, don’t fall for fancy phrases. Be true to yourself; go with what you think looks and feels good, and you will have your own unique beauty.