LACE LACE BABY
Alright stop. Grab your lace and listen. Ok, enough with my Vanilla Ice remix, but seriously, let's talk lace. Traditionally lace conjures images from 16th century royal garb, the Victorian era, your grandmothers doilies, old Hollywood glamour, or even the 80's. However I am here to tell you to recover from your previous conceptions of this delicate fabric and start to get serious about adding it to your wardrobe.
Not only is lace a lightweight and airy fabric that works very well in this recent heatwave, it also adds an element of femininity and sophistication to your outfit whatever the ocassion. Lace-making is an ancient craft that is comprised of open work fabric, patterned with holes strategically placed into the material. Traditionally it is handsewn, classified by how it is made such as needle, bobbin, cutwork, tape, knotted, crocheted, knitted and many more methods. Any handmade lace garment is going to be higher quality and thus cost more. If you are looking to save and get lower-costing lace garb I would recommend machine-made lace that is typically made with synthetic fibers.
The look for this summer you want to embody is a vintage-looking lace. White lace dresses are all the rage currently. Some dresses are bridal-inspired such as Kate M's wedding dress, however you can find a less formal-looking style and go with a very simple dress such as the one shown here above on Chloe Sevigny wearing Shumaq's Ivory Chloe Lace Dress ($150). If you are looking for a lower price version, this Nasty Gal's Faithful Lace Dress ($58) will pass and features belled sleeves very similar to Sevigny's dress. Another option that will work in a variety of occassions is French Connection's Lace Embellished Pencil Dress.
It is easy to cross the line between trashy and classy with lace, so make sure to chose your garment wisely. You can go the subtle route and pair a classic tank with lace shorts or a skirt. Pair a simple dress with an adorable pair of lace open-toe booties, such as the Via Spigga Evanna lace bootie shown above from Nodstroms. You can even add a splash of fun by sporting a brightly colored camisole under a lace top.
There's not much debate that lace will be in style for the next few seasons, so pick lace garments that can be transitioned from summer to fall and even to winter by adding layers for warmth. On cooler summer nights, you can even rock lace tights which have been seen all winter, however I would advise to not over-do it, and double-up with lace head-to-toe. When in doubt, understated elegance is a better bet than over-doing something. So go out and get your lace today. Lace- just do it.
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