While lace might have originated in the 16th Century, for me it represents a time period that is a little closer to home- the 90’s. Although the 90’s is more commonly associated with ‘chokers’ , ‘slip dresses’ and double or triple denim, ‘lacing’ was a common theme throughout 90’s fashion. Velvet dresses were often trimmed with Chantilly, while chokers-the most popular 90’s accessory- was adorned with latticed lace. Accessories were an integral part of 90’s style identity but it is now during 2017, that the expansion and mainstream exposure of lace(s) has become evident. Even royals like Kate Middleton, love wearing royally modest lace, proving lace is a fashion trend that is firmly on the map. From its origins in nun whitework in the sixteenth century to its more elaborate, ‘Alençon’ embroidery, that has become popular in 2017, it is clear that the 2000’s has brought lace back.
Admittedly we might relegate lace materials as being too ‘bridal’ or showy-which in many cases it can be- but trimmed lace or simple floral laced designs can still retain the ‘casual’ aesthetic that millennials seem to favour, while the addition of ‘alencon’ otherwise known as laced embroidery, has become popular with brands like Quiz-see their #lostinsummer campaign- Public Desire, In The Style and Have To Love. But the question is how on earth do you style the lace trend in summer? After all unless you live in the UK like I do chances are you will want to avoid brocade or bridal lace at all costs. Which is where good ol’ Jasmine, aka my more fashionable, savvy alter ego comes in to save the day.
From laced embroidery to crochet, here are eight ways below on how you can style the trend this summer!
- The Crochet Lace ‘Self Portrait Dupe’
Black Crochet ‘Self Portrait’ Dupe From Have To Love
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When Self-Portrait released their architectural lace confections, the world went mad. Despite an eye-watering price tag of £275 per dress on average, stats recorded in March 2017 showed that Self-Portrait’s Floral Blush Midi Dress was clicked on once every three minutes, it was that popular. Naturally, me included, not everyone can afford Han Chong’s top-end high street prices, which is why dupes have been found at all corners of the internet, particularly in the shades ‘Scarlet Red’, Powder Blue and of course a trusty ‘Black Widow’ black. While red and blue have already burrowed their way into my overwhelmingly full wardrobe, a ‘neutral’ black crochet cross pattern set against a nude base midi tea dress helps create the illusion of a more curvaceous figure and embraces the feminine female form. After all part of the popularity of the Self-Portrait originals were because it embraced the ‘female body’ and was body positive, due to the nude panels that were used to give the illusion of nudity behind lace.
We still live in a highly conservative world where the female body is shamed and ridiculed by the media, so why not wear a dress that might not on the outside appear to be a ‘stereotypical form of rebellion’ but its nude illusion panels allows you to feel liberated. After all we rebellious women know that sometimes the ‘quietest’ rebellions are the ones that are the most powerful and create the biggest ‘source’ of change.
Shop Lace Crochet Dresses
Shop The Lace Crochet Look
*Original Dress From Have To Love
2. The ‘Embroidered’ Alençon Dress Worn Two Ways
Technically ‘alencon’ is just a fancy word for embroidery, popularized in France bridal wear and has now transitioned into ‘daily fashion trends’ too. From embroidered lace heels, to layered embroidered laced dresses, the possibilities are endless when it comes to styling the ‘lace trend’ . Below I have shown how the same dress can be worn two different ways; the first look is inspired by nature and draws upon the beauty of nature’s natural bounty i.e the hand-stitched embroidered lace is interwoven with vibrant flowers and plants, while the mesh netting on the dress creates a 3D dimensional reality. Layered underneath is a see through rose corsage bodysuit to add interest, while the embroidered boots buys into the Alecon ‘dress theme’.
An ‘Alecon Lace’ Embroidered Dress Layered Over A Sheer Embroidered Bodysuit
Shop The First ‘Two In One Alecon Dress Below
The second look however, while similar to the first transforms the dress into a skirt, creating a lace skirt, while the layered bodysuit becomes the risque top, off-set by the a simple black shoelace choker, retaining the same embroidered boots. The key to nailing the ‘two in one’ Embroidery’ or alecon lace look is to ensure that accessories are kept to the minimal, as the prints are ‘busy enough’ without needing outlandish accessories to add ‘interest’
The Alecon Lace Dress Has Been Transformed Into A Skirt Accentuated By The Mesh Bodysuit
Shop The Second 2 in one Alecon Bodysuit and Dress/Skirt Below
3. Wear A Crochet Lace/ Pom-Pom Tassel Hybrid Playsuit and Layer Underneath A Mesh Top
Crochet lace is always a popular ‘summer-time look’ but how about switching things up and combining an ‘off the shoulder’ crochet lace playsuit with tassel detailing and layer underneath a mesh embroidered top. Naturally I already covered how to wear embroidered lace in the paragraph above but mixing shapes and textures can often be hard to ‘manage successfully’, especially when the playsuit is off the shoulder but contains sleeves. The key is to find a mesh shirt that is slightly longer than a crop and has ‘cap’ or ‘t-shirt sleeves’ , before tucking them into the playsuits sleeves so it looks like a summer shorts and shirt combo. A simple rose flower headband will feminize the look, while embroidered lace mesh courts will lend a degree of sophistication to the ‘layered hybrid’ playsuit aesthetic.
A Lace Bardot Crochet Playsuit Layered Under An Embroidered Mesh Top
Shop The Crochet Lace Hybrid Playsuit Look Below
4. Capture The Essence Of Summer With Ombre Lace
Whether you choose to wear a dress, or a playsuit, ombre lace, particularly in the contrasting shades of blue and white, captures the essence of the ‘summer season’. Other key colour contrasts are ‘red and white’ , yellow and red and green and white, which are all colours that denote ‘passion’, ‘love’, ‘summer’ and in many cases positivity, all emotions that are ‘perfect for summer’. But what on earth does that have to do with ‘lace’ I hear you ask? Well not much honestly, but using two colours on ‘summers hottest trend ‘ aka ombre lace, will help you feel A. mega Instagrammable and B. freaking hot so whats not to love? Below the blue and white ombre dress uses ‘crochet’ interwoven into a fabric of sky blue and pristine white which makes your holiday tan glow, while simple blue heeled sandals helps capture that positive holiday vibe.
Now are you vibin or what?
An Ombre Lace Dress Captures The Vibe Of Summer
Shop The Ombre Lace Look
5. Have A Wedding To Attend? Then A Floral Applique Lace Maxi Dress Will Be The Perfect Formal Lace Companion!
We all know that summer is the season for weddings . Lets face it, summer rays combined with an abundance of food and alcohol is a winning combination for summer season so why not gatecrash your way into the action, featuring applique floral lace? I guarantee that if it is your mission to stand out and get mistaken for one of the bridesmaids- hello photo OPP is that YOU?- then a floral applique lace maxi dress is the formal number for you. Ensure that your outfit is not tonal, block colouring, especially featuring pastels like baby pink or sky blue are top choices for summer and its block colour format, will allow the applique lace bodice to stand out. Not to mention applique lace is 3D which can sometimes give your outfit the ‘impressionist aesthetic’ of butterflies, which is always beautiful right?
If you want to not look like you are an extra from the bridal camp, then applique lace separates like co-ords work just as well and I have included some goodies below.
Shop The Applique Lace Maxi Dress Look Below
Shop Applique Lace Below
How Will You Be Wearing Lace This Summer?
*Contains PR Samples
I absolutely love lace! It’s so elegant and timeless! And I love the first two dresses! They look great on you!
Wow, Ana! All of these dresses are so pretty. I saw the first one and I thought it’s gorgeous and then I kept scrolling down and felt the same for everything coming next. My favorite is the ombre lace dress and I really loved those floral booties. You look gorgeous in all of these dresses. Thanks for sharing these fabulous ways to wear lace. 🙂
I adore lace on clothes, it is so pretty and feminine. I was a kid in the 70-80’s, and recall many of my summer dresses being lacy. Loved them. You’ve shown some really lovely examples, the first one in particular is stunning.
Gorgeous outfits! I love lace detailing 🙂
Great!! All of these dresses are amazing. One of my cousins used to wear such laces. I’ll have to share it with her.
By the way, you look good in these dresses.
They all look fabulous on you but I absolutely love the Maxi dress! Perfect for a summer wedding!
I love the Applique Lace Maxi Dress! It’s truely beautiful and you look amazing in it 🙂 I love lace clothing!
These are some gorgeous ideas on how to wear lace, I am loving the maxi dress at the end that is just beautiful.
I love wearing laces and Option 1, 3, 4 were really awesome , I could have pounced on to get any one of them. Laces specially in arms sleeves look so trendy.
I love your final dress, but I tend to go for the embroidered ones so I can wear them on top of things x
What cute outfits I really love that you have options for every occasion. I really love the formal gown on you. Looks great.
The floral maxi dress looks amazing! And my OH really likes it too!
I love that lace is back in style — mostly just because I like stuff with cut-outs. I wasn’t fashion conscious enough in the 90s to remember that lace was a thing. I absolutely LOVE that blue ombre dress!
Wow, that white crochet playsuit – that design is pretty & unique!
As always you look amazing hun. I absolutely LOVE the last dress the pink one. I am going to a wedding and it would look amazing it looks beautiful on you.
We absolutely love the ombre dress and have never seen anything like that before! Its very eye catching. Thanks for showing us how to wear the mesh styles too x
I love the #1,3 and 4 look. The lace dresses look sexy and stunning. I think I would wear something like the Lace Maxi Dress on a spring wedding..
I really love lace, you have some gorgeous looks here 🙂 The crochet lace dress is absolutely stunning!
Loving those lace outfits! You look great on them. Thanks for the tips.
Is there any dress you can’t wear love? That’s beautiful. My fave on you is The Alecon Lace Dress.
Yass honey! Looking fierce. I love how you always talk about the history of a collection. Plus missy, that see through number in the second look is fabulous.
I am a big fan of lace and all these dresses are gorgeous. I really like the black Alevon dress its so pretty and it really suits. The embroidery on it is gorgeous.
All great ideas Ana. love the pink and omvre ones best. Also the shoes are awesome
These all are inspiring trends which I would definitely like to add to my closet. Thanks for sharing
What lovely ideas on how to wear lace. I do quite like a few of those dresses especially the Ombre Lace dress.
All of these outfits look amazing! I like wearing lace, its very stylish for sure
I love the ombre dress it looks gorgeous
Wow you really do look incredible in all of them! I love the blue one best I think, it’s such a beautiful colour and the contrast works really well too.
I love lace. I tend to buy lace dresses or shirts with lace on the shoulders. The maxi dress is one I would buy!
What a great outfit. You look so beautiful in all your dress. But I really like The Crochet Lace and the blue one. Such a nice dress.
These ideas are so lovely. I adore lace! There is something so magically elegant about it. I wish I was bold enough to wear some of the items you have here. SO beautiful!
Oh wow these are so stunning! I LOVE lace, I wear it often and find it’s a really classic look. That first dress is gorgeous, I’m heading straight over to see if they have it in stock in my size!
I have to admit, lace is a big trend that I’m loving at the moment x
Crotchet lace and ombre lace are my absolute favourite, I have a dress with crotchet lace and now want the one with ombre lace.
I love the second look! But you look so strong in all of them! I would love to be able to walk bra free like I use to before but now after two year of breastfeeding my breast are longer than my hair!😂
And the headcrown from the first is really a eye catcher…in a good way!
I always love lace because it gives feminine and sensual touch to the looks. I loved your blue lace dress with blue sandals. They are so cool blue . Floral maxi dress is also perfect to attend lavish wedding ceremonies. Beautiful options with lace.
Wow! Blue is such a great colour on you Ana, you should wear it more often – that dress is gorgeous! And I love the mesh body that you wore with the dress as a skirt – what a great idea, I’ve never seen anything styled like this x
Love all of those gorgeous outfits and it totally suits you. I’m a fan of the color blue so when I saw that blue and white ombre lace dress it really got my attention.