Lace as an embellishment has a long history, and originally was a male clothing detail. Today it is a key element of Romantic Style, and currently a big trend. Read how to wear lace like a pro, and learn to create ageless style in lace.
- Why Was Lace for the Aristocrats and Rich Merchants in History?
- How Did Lace Became a Feminine Thing?
- What to Avoid When Wearing Lace
- How to Look Ageless in Lace at Any Age?
- Lace Outfit Ideas for Every Day
- What to Wear with a Lace Skirt
- Color Lace Dress Outfit Ideas
- What Shoes to Wear with a Black Lace Dress?
- How to Style Lace for Going Out
- Lace Underskirt Outfit Idea
- Ageless Style in Lace in a Nutshell
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Why Was Lace for the Aristocrats and Rich Merchants in History?
Originally, lace was hand-made in a labor- and time intensive process that required high skills. Consequently, it was expensive and only affordable for the Aristocracy and the Rich merchants. Sumptuary Laws reserved it for them. In the Old World, lace was one of the first status symbols in fashion. Brüssels’ lace was famous. Lace served to embellish caps (see painting below), cleavage, sleeves and collars. Lace was It for all genders.
In the early last century, making the delicate fabric was part of the education of higher daughters in the Netherlands. My grandma had to learn in boarding school how to make lace! She taught me how to make eyelets and some other cousins of lace. I really loved her teaching me these skills. She went to the same school in the Netherlands as Rose Kennedy.
How Did Lace Became a Feminine Thing?
As so often in fashion, lace became more mainstream. Modern techniques to produce the delicate fabric made it affordable for Jane Doe, i.e. you and me. When I was a kid, lace was associated with brides and as decoration on little girls’ Sunday’s Best. I had a brown velvet dress with a lace collar.
The delicate fabric lost it’s luxury status. Today, it is associated with femininity and romantic style, underwear and even sex attire. Obviously, these changes make it tricky to wear lace in a timeless, elegant and sophisticated way.
What to Avoid When Wearing Lace?
The following tips are how not to wear lace over 40.
- Lace slip dress: While a twenty something may pull off a lace slip dress and look awesome, lace on a slip dress can read slip for mature women
- Shiny lace: Anything shiny could visually adds weight.
- Polyester lace: Because it is shiny and looks cheap.
- Anything 100% nylon: Because like 100% silk, pure nylon clothes will release sparks when you pull them off. Ouch!
- No underlining, baby pastels, and candy colors: Lace ruffles, lace tired skirts, lace tops or lace jackets without any underlining, lace in candy or baby pastel colors, or lace with your skin as background are all No-Nos for ageless style.
How to Look Ageless in Lace at Any Age?
Now flash forward in time. Lace is a big trend right now. Can women over 50 wear lace? Use these tips for how to look timeless in lace in midlife.
- At any age, lace looks best as the statement itself, i.e., without any froufrou. Streamlined cuts look great in lace like the sheath dress in the OOTD or a lace pencil skirt (see photos of lace outfit styling ideas).
- Other cuts to look ageless in lace are A-cut skirts, shift dresses, collarless tops, or lined jackets. Go for a classic length, i.e. about 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm) above the knee is the shortest hem length for an ageless look.
- Go for matte lace. Lace in silk and cotton are a great choice. Matte lace looks like high quality. Ever Pretty has affordable, good quality lace dresses. Read my review of two lace bodice dresses.
- Watch the color of the lace and lining underneath. A black or red lace dress with nude lining are for cocktail parties, while an all navy, all gray or all black lace sheath dress can even work for work. Navy with beige or winter white underneath can look very sophisticated as Princess Kate has demonstrated. What a classic look!
- When wearing lace, style it with sleek tailored pieces. Unless you are going for an eclectic style don’t wear heavy wool sweaters or wool blazers with lace.
Lace Outfit Ideas for Every Day
Here are visual inspirations how to wear lace in fashionable way over 40 without looking naïve, trashy, girly or looking like working in the Red Light District.
What to Wear with a Lace Skirt
Color Lace Dress Outfit Ideas
Here some outfit ideas with my turquoise eShakti lace sheath dress.
What Shoes to Wear with a Black Lace Dress?
When you wear a black lace dress, footwear and accessories become key to the overall vibe of the look. When getting it wrong, the look can quickly read Sultry Femme Fatale. On the other hand, a black lace dress can be as versatile as a LBD.
For example, a black lace dress as wedding dress requires flowers, fancy shoes in black or metal colors, jewelry and a bold statement hat. Black booties and denim jacket provides street style chic. Studded boots and a biker jacket yield a Rock’N Roll vibe.
Tip: Avoid slides, mules, especially in red or leopard print. Too sexy.
How to Style Lace for Going Out
Lace Underskirt Outfit Idea
Ageless Style in Lace in a Nutshell
Wearing lace requires high quality material like silk or cotton, a sophisticated, tailored, classic cut, a gemstone color, and same or light color background. Today it is best worn with feminine accessories.
This post is part of my Ageless Style series. You may like to read about ageless style in floral prints.
Photos: G. Kramm
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