Lace is a fabric that reinvents itself season after season. It is always a strong contender for the latest trend, spotted on catwalks and celebrities alike. This ”timeless classic” has been a sign of style and elegance since the sixteenth century. White crochet lace rules the summer while in winter, darker shades adorn festive party dresses to get us into the festive spirit.
Lace was first popularized by Queen Elizabeth, a big fan with her huge trademark ruffs, in the 1600s. The last queen of France, Marie Antoinette, was also a frequent wearer of ornate lace-frilled dresses. However, after the late 1700s, it fell from favour and didn’t pick up again until the 1800s when Queen Victoria fully embraced the trend – often wearing a matching dress, fan and veil, all in lace.
Moving on to the flapper fashion heydey, lace was still incredibly popular with the 1920’s fashion, used to craft the iconic dresses of the 20’s. The swinging sixties reinvented lace yet again to show that it could be used in more than just frilly dresses. Culotte suits and more toned down looks flooded the catwalks using the fabric. Remember Madonna’s stretch-lace workout look in the 80s? I’m sure most teenage girls of the time do. Again, lace was reinvented for a new era with more of a pop-culture angsty twist, a complete 360 to lace’s elegant origin.
Lace is as relevant to us in the fashion world now as it was to aristocrats, celebrities and Royalty back then. You’ve already seen how versatile this fashion favourite has been throughout history and how well it has adapted to new eras. Now here are four looks for lace inspired by different occasions:
Dinner date
For the daring fashion lovers amongst us, this striking red lace tunic is a definite yes for a romantic dinner date. Featuring a cami-top for modesty and a longer line to smooth the hips, with gorgeous intricate lace detailing, it’s perfect for a special occasion. Wear with a pair of smart evening trousers, like our best selling tummy slimmer trousers, and a pair or court shoes to complete the look.
Work
Glam up your work outfits by introducing lace into your office look. Our flattering lace shrug is the perfect place to start. This light layer in elegant stretch lace dresses up a simple outfit with ease, perfect for adding a touch of class to your work wardrobe. Wear with a simple tank and our cropped trousers with flats for a sophisticated look.
Weekend
Lace and denim are a match made in fashion heaven that works a treat for casual weekend outfits too. Our go-to look would be our lace sleeve t-shirt in white and a pair of perfect fit jeans in indigo. Finish off with a pair of moccasins for a touch of effortless glamour.
Cocktail Party
If you’re looking to make a splash with an elegant lace dress at a cocktail party, keep your accessories minimal for maximum impact. However, if you really want to turn heads, dress it up with a statement shoe. Wear our fit and flare lace dress with our sling back court shoe to get the look.
