How to still rock 'Punk' in your mid twenties

Ok lets face it, We've all been getting older. The days of ripped fishnets, garners, bustier tops and crazy hair is slowly becoming what seems unacceptable for our age. We have all been there. Stuck between your irresponsible 'punk' late teens and your corporate christmas party late twenties. The mid twenties. Though I hate labeling myself as this, in almost a year I will be 25! urrrrg. I have been struggling lately as I have put all my fun punk clothes away in the back of the closet and started dressing what I thought was morally "my age." Then It hit me..... Why can't their be a middle ground? Who says you have to conform to fit your age? Punk is defined as an attitude, a form of living AGAINST authority and the norm, and although I don't blast my Ramones and Sex Pistols records like I used to I still enjoyed the solitary 'F*ck It' aspect that came with my punk self. So I devised a plan to make punk more comfortable to myself. Punk Chic. Mixing punk with todays modern chic using three simple basics... A leather jacket, Accessories (hair and jewelry), and bottoms (jeans, leggings, skirts, shoes). With these things I was able to feel more confident, comfortable, sexy, chic, and more importantly a lot more like myself.  I'll let you in on my favorite places to shop, budget options, and beauty tricks to keep yourself a young hearted, fully sophisticated punk. 

(Look created by me, misskristenn on Polyvore)

The Leather Jacket

Ok, ok, ok, we all know by now the leather jacket is an essential! Not only does it provide you with warmth when its 20 degrees in California (I know, what the f*ck right?), But it also can transform an entire outfit from one look to another. Its a bit dramatic to say a good leather jacket can change your life, But it MAY just be the savior you are seeking. Invest, invest, invest! It is not cheap for a really good leather jacket, But having a high quality one that you wear nearly everyday is priceless! This one from above is an absolute favorite of mine from All Saints and retails for around $985 (ouch I know), But choose wisely, many cheaper leather jackets (h&m, forever 21, target, etc.) are either cropped which in my opinion looks terrible, or if worn to much the faux leather will peel right off. Its something you will literally LIVE in you want to be confident and comfortable. 

The Bottoms

The bottoms are often overlooked. In my opinion the Second Skin High Wasted black skinny jeans by Cheap Monday are the absolute punk essential, I recommend getting two pairs so you can rip holes in the kness of one and leaving another pair unripped, however if you are looking for a little bit more sex appeal leather leggings, skirts, shorts, and opaque tights can add a quick and instant ooh laa laa to any punk look. Lets not forget the shoes! boots, converse, oxfords, and platforms are just some to name. Wether you want to pull off  kurt cobain-esq grunge, Taylor Momsen heroin chic, or something more simple, shoes can make all the difference... You can never go wrong with owning a good pair of each! (besides it gives you a good excuse to blow that xmas cash )

 

The Accessories

The last, and most important part to this look. With just a few key accessories, you can transform your whole appeal. As with any outfit, accessories can bring a dull wardrobe to life in the two minutes it takes you to put them on. Iv'e broke it down to the three most important ones.... sunglasses, jewlery, and head accessories/hair (yes, your hair can be a great accessory by itself! I'll show you how!)

sunglasses. 
ok so my absolute favorite online destination for sunglasses is Valley Eyewear however they can be a bit pricey, If your looking to budget Pretty Little Thing has amazing sunglasses for under 30$!  I am quickly falling under the mirrored lens, and huge round frame spell. The pair I used in my look above from Polyvore are Karen Walker with yellow refective lenses and huge clear round frames and are an absolute favorite. Although classics such as ray bans and cateyes are good to have in your collection, I recommend having fun with your sunglass selection, the stranger the better! Step outside your comfort zone, you'll be happy you did. 

Jewlery

The more the merrier. don't be modest, stack them ON. chunky jewlery has always been a fun statement, and weve all struggled with the fingers turning green from wearing bad jewlery too much for too long. Thats ok, invest in some nicer peices or use tricks (like painting clear polish on the inside of the jewlery before you wear it) Not only is it fun to have no limits, It gives your look that little extra needed edge. For a more punk vibe to this try black leather bracelets, hand chains, spiked bands, & silver chunky thumb rings. I've also put leather jacket buttons in this section as well, vintage band ones added to a simple leather jacket, bag, or even flannel can accessorize your clothes in the same way lots of rings do for your hands! I encourage you, Try it! you can find them at vintage botiques, etsy, or ebay for close to nothing!

Head accessories

awh by far my favorite part, I have a never ending love for head accessories. hats, wraps, scarves, beanies, extensions, you name it I have worn it. A simple thing like throwing on a hat on your way out the door can give you that extra oomph your looking for...Also lets not forget it hides greasy roots, and keeps your head toasty!

In the above picture I am wearing a headband from this etsy site. only 12.50$!

Hair

Ok this may be the most obvious out of all of them, of course hair is an important part to a look, thats why we spend so much time and money on it! Long hair is by far my favorite when it comes to a rock look. My favorite tips when it comes to getting long hair? Remember to be careful on the shampoo....Scrubbing intensely and using to much shampoo can strip your hair of natural oils and actually cause the ends to break easier, also make sure you are only putting shampoo on the very roots, don't lather it at the ends.  Marrakesh oil on the ends is another lifesaver! For more tips on how to get your hair longer, I found this Free People blog very useful !

I get my messy hair look from the above pictures, using my favorite tool the 

Remington T Studio Pearl Ceramic Styling Elliptical Wand like this one here. What I love about this wand is that unlike a regular one it has a more of a square to it. It gives my hair just the right amount of mess, and looks like slept in curls when you are done. follow with a little bit of Paul Mitchell awapuhi texturizing sea spray and you'll be amazed at how it turns out. (side note, I also do not wash my hair very often to obtain the dirty look, to some people this is gross, Im sorry for that)

messy with bangs

For those of you who don't want to cut bangs, or are just looking for something a tad bit simpler, the messy bun is always a quick, chic, just-rolled-out-of-bed look, and can still be rocked easily with any head accessory

So there you go, simple, easy, chic, and still punk. Yes we are all getting older, but that doesn't mean we have to sacrifice our young souls. JUST have fun! The easiest thing you can do in life is to just fit in with everyone else, It takes more courage to stand out and be who you really want to be. Styling yourself should be for you only, If you're dressing for other people you will be missing the most important styling rule of all; confidence. Unpack your Dr martens, put holes in your jeans,  dust off your old records and give them a spin for a few more years. You only grow old when you refuse to let yourself act young! happy holidays xxx