Once reserved for your lingerie drawer, lace is having a huge fashion industry moment right now. Specifically – how to wear lace with intentional layering techniques, from lace trim tops under cropped knitwear, to lace dresses thrown over jeans and delicate lace tops paired with a minimalist bralette and track pants. The beauty of these no-rules-apply lace outfitting trends is that there is no going wrong. It’s one of the easiest ways to refresh your existing wardrobe throughout the seasons. Trust us when we say lace is much more versatile than you think.
Lace is a delicate, decorative fabric with a history that stretches back centuries. Once an ultra-luxe item, handcrafted from Italy and worn only by royalty, it quickly became a symbol of wealth, status and refinement. Today, it’s widely used across lingerie, fashion and bridalwear collections but it’s still loved for adding an elegant and refined finish to any aesthetic. Lace’s unique ability to balance delicacy and boldness in the way it is worn keeps it relevant in modern fashion cycles, meaning investing in a lace piece is worth its weight in wardrobe gold.
We’ve been keeping an eye on the fashion set, and this is how they’re wearing lace right now…
It gets to the stage of winter where jeans and a jumper just feels a little… Meh. Enter: The lace top. Let your white T-shirt have a break from always being the base layer, instead add a satin lace-trim top under your favourite knit. Whether it’s a lace trim at the hem or frill-lace sleeves, make sure the detail is on show.
One of the most hard-working pieces you can add to your wardrobe is a simple lace dress. Dress it up with heels and you’re ready for wedding season, dinner plans or date night, or dress it down by layering over your favourite vintage-wash jeans and ballet flats. If it’s a button-through dress, you can even wear it open over jeans and a tee as a kimono. This season. It’s all about experimenting with the maximum number of ways you can style each piece in your wardrobe – so have some fun and don’t overthink it too much.
For a Kate Moss at Glasto aesthetic, it’s got to be lace, biker boots and a leather jacket. Creating a striking contrast between toughness and delicacy, this pairing creates an outfit with depth, visual interest and a modern edge. It’s moto-boho chic in all the best 00s nostalgic ways.
Take the modern high-low trend and apply it to your favourite lace blouse. The key to an interesting lace-blouse look is to style it with something unexpected, that doesn’t necessarily match its vibe. This could be anything from track pants to a tartan maxi skirt, more lace or different textures, like cord. The juxtaposition of delicate lace with casual, sporty fabrics creates a visually compelling contrast that immediately elevates a casual look.
We’ve seen jumpers tied over the shoulders, plaid shirts tied around the waist and the next trend to try is a delicate lace blouse tied around the waist of your favourite jeans. This clever styling trick transforms a delicate, feminine piece into a versatile, modern accessory. It’s unexpected, playful and adds visual interest to your looks.
So, there you have it. Our edit of the most interesting ways to wear lace for AW25 and SS26. Discover our edit of beautiful lace pieces and get ready to experiment with your style game.
Want more inspiration? Explore our favourite velvet dresses for women who want style with substance.
