How To Wear Lace

Blame Kate Middleton and her penchant for the pretty fabric but lace is everywhere. Carried on from last season this time around it's less about saturated, sophisticated colours and more about wide-eyed innocence. From fine French lace to hand-crafted broderie anglaise, acid tones to lace trapped in latex there's only one thing to do… DO IT.

Pile it on and mix it up. Delicate trimmed lace with pretty raw cut edges teamed with a heavy lace mini. It's all about contrast; delicacy with density, antique with modern. A Joanne Hynes crystal collar gives a dash of sparkle and Jeffrey Campbell Lita's add the perfect dose of stripper to offset the lace! It's all about balance… 

There's nothing sexier than a pair of well cut trousers. Seriously, when you're used to living in skinny jeans you forget how good they feel against the skin and just how empowering they can be! Choosing black immediately makes lace sexy. Layer a slick lace blazer over a sheer top with lace trim to finish it off. The texture trip makes lace feel modern. 

Tailoring and lace make the perfect combo - like boy and girl, bangers and mash, Rumi Neely and Bryan Boy! Button up a crisp white shirt so the baby doll dress feels a little less twee. As you can tell I'm struggling to get past my penchant for neon, and neon and lace are a match made in Christopher Kane's vision of heaven. Gimpy stance optional… 

Mess it up. Add stripper heals and studs to avoid K Midd-lady syndrome. 

Layer lace and play with the textures and fabric weights. 

Mix lace with latex like Simone Rocha [below].

Try vintage for the most perfect French lace.

Stick to conservative shapes, play with proportion for a modern take on the trend.

Think white lace has to look innocent. Allow underwear to show through for a Carrie Bradshaw vibe. 

Go head-to-toe. Mix pretty lace with more tailored pieces or heavy accessories for a cool contrast.

 

By Angela Scanlon @angelascanlon