Wearing lace from head to toe might be a bit of a stretch, but what about lace embellishment on a skirt, on a shirt under a jacket, or on lace socks? It's called high fashion.
Sometimes a little goes a long way. It's about Tabasco sauce on eggs, perfume in the elevator, confidence in the karaoke booth, and also, as I've come to realize, the secret to wearing lace.
All these years I have used lace wrongly by wearing it too much. I have destroyed it with excessive enthusiasm. Lace is a beautiful thing: delicate and romantic. Look carefully and you will see small motifs and patterns, flowers and symbols, done in miniature like secret messages. Lace has drama: after all, it is the fabric of weddings, funerals and baptisms. And it can change vibrations: white is chaste, red is rough, black is sophisticated. Lace has it all in life.
But here's the problem: when you overdo it, lace loses its shine. Too much lace is a bit tiring to look at. Unless you're walking down the aisle, head-to-toe lace can be too imposing. And since it looks a bit old-fashioned, it can add years to your aura. There's nothing wrong with looking older, of course. But maybe it's worth emphasizing.
But a little lace? That's what we're talking about. Lace trim on the skirt. A lace blouse under a jacket. Lace stockings or anklets. The kind of lace that shimmers softly, like white lights scattered on a tree. Much better than lace that shines with a bright sheen.
Given the content, I have a few formulas to try. At the top of my list is a lace-trimmed skirt. Lace looks different when you place it in a less visible place on the body. The black lace trim elevates this River Island skirt, adding drama and contrast. You don't have to look far to enjoy this outfit, as the lace-trimmed midi skirt is everywhere this season. My top recommendation is The White Company's Double Satin Lace Skirt (£140) in chocolate with a generous black ruffle at the hem. I love it because the dark color and thick satin make it useful not only as a party wear, but also during the day, over stockings and boots.
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| Dôen’s Giulietta Fleur Du Palais skirt |
Lace looks Hot when it peeks out from under something else, and you don't have to be a genius to understand its psychology. The connection between lingerie and romance is deeply rooted in visual culture, a trigger that has undeniable power - on both women and men, and even on those who think they're too sophisticated for such things.
It has an effect on the wearer, as well as the observer. Simply tucking a lace-edged blouse under a V-neck sweater makes you feel a little more alive. If that feels a little too revealing for your taste, you can tone down the gorgeous look by wearing lace where it doesn't show your body. Sheer lace stockings between jeans and a loafer shirt look fantastic.
But my best tip is to add a sleeveless lace top as a layer underneath. A few years ago I bought a long-sleeved black lace bodysuit and it has become one of my most useful items in my evening wardrobe. I wear it under sleeveless dresses to look pretty in the winter - I hate being cold, but it's also useful if you don't like your arms - or with a black tuxedo and jeans. I have no idea where it came from as I cut the label off a long time ago because it was see-through, but the Mila Body from John Lewis (£46) is similar.
It's not just kids who get overly excited this time of year. It happens to a lot of us. But lace works best when it feels like a secret, so resist the urge to share it too much. It can make people come a little closer, to get a better look. Think of it as simple flirting. And it always leaves them wanting more.
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