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?
- How to Look Ageless in Lace at Any Age?
- What to Avoid When Wearing Lace
- Black Lace – Sultry Femme Fatale
- Lace Outfit Ideas for Every Day
- How to Style Lace for Going Out
- Ageless Style in Lace in a Nutshell
Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post.
Updated: 3/14/2022
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 drawing below), cleavage, sleeves and as collars. Lace was It for both men and women.
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. It turned into being 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.
How to Look Ageless in Lace at Any Age?
Now flash forward in time. Lace is a big trend right now.
- 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 the Duchess of Cambridge had 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.
What to Avoid When Wearing Lace
- Lace slip dress: While a twenty something may pull off a lace slip dress and look awesome, it is a risky balancing act on everyone. Lace on a slip dress can read slip. #agelessstyle Click To Tweet
- Shiny lace: Recall anything shiny could visually adds weight.
- Polyester lace: Because it is shiny and looks cheap.
- Anything 100% nylon: Because like 100% silk pure nylon gets electrically charged. As a result, it will clinch to your body. Furthermore, your 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.
Lace Outfit Ideas for Every Day
Here are visual inspirations how to wear lace in fashionable way over 40 without looking naive, trashy, girly or looking like working in the Red Light District.
clutch c/o Bellorita
chiffon below the knee gown c/o JJ House. Read the review of this JJ’s House mother-of-the-bride dress.
How to Style Lace for Going Out
Ageless Style in Lace in a Nutshell
Wearing lace like a pro at any age 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.
Do you like lace? Is lace part of your style? How do you wear your lace? Let me know, I am curious.
This post is part of my Ageless Style series. You may like to read about ageless style in floral prints.
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Photos: G. Kramm
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