Loving Lace

CEBU, Philippines - If you ask me, there are a lot of reasons to love lace and this is exactly why it thrills me to no end that this is going to be one big trend in the coming months. Lace used to be just a sidekick to the superhero—an accessory, a detail. More recently, it’s starting to step out of the shadows and make its presence felt. If you loved the sheer trend, you are going to love lace, as well.

In the coming months, lace will hit your wardrobe in the form of skirts and ultra femme dresses—starkly different from the roughness and toughness of edgy and grunge looks which were big trends in the past year. Call it an extension to summer or way to make the ber months look and feel even more special, lace will be here to soften up any rough look for a more feminine vibe.

Depending on how it’s worn, lace has the power to make one take on two extremely opposite looks. Other-worldly and undoubtedly sweet, lace can give off a very ethereal feel. Think of sylphs, ballerinas, and blushing virgins. On the other hand, with its quality of hiding and revealing just enough skin, lace can be seductive and alluring. Wear it the wrong way and you risk looking like a whore.

Lace comes in various kinds and is named after its place of origin or the method by which it is made. Coming in an intricate net of patterns and floral designs, many of the best known types of lace are typically used for wedding dresses. However, lace isn’t just a fabric made for walking down the aisle. 

Alencon, also known as the “Queen of Lace” for example, can amp up your style quotient when taken to the streets as a mini dress. The Alencon pattern is close and firm on a fine net ground and is outlined by a cordonnet usually of horsehair overlaid with buttonhole stitch. Authentic Alencon is a luxury piece which adorned the most powerful men and women in the world – a Pope and an empress being two of the lucky few.

Appliqué or application lace is another lace type that would look simply smashing on a tiered skirt or a casual day dress. Appliqué motif centers on flowers and sprigs, lending a relaxed, spring feel into the entire outfit. Simple silhouettes for dresses that come in white, black, or grey are safe bets. Stir clear from shocking colors to keep yourself from crossing over from sophisticated to sleazy.

The look for lace in the coming months is romantic, but not over the top girly. And definitely not the curtain look. It’s about being sexy and sensual but not bold-star-suggestive. 

Keep this balance by playing it sweet. Go for basic and simple silhouettes that touch at most four inches above the knees. Lace has innate quality of being sensual, offering glimpses of skin here and there so keep your cuts conservative and modest.

Focus on the dress or the skirt by toning down on everything else, like your accessories. Go for classic pieces to amp up your glam factor. Accessorize with vintage necklaces, tarnished gold earrings, and a stack of bangles in gold or jewelry set with pearls.

If you’re going crazy with white or cream lace dresses, slip on a pair of platform snakeskin heels in black and white for a more exotic touch.

The challenge with lace is in bringing it in the now, yet retaining its Old World charm. The trick here is to stick to the basic colors and simply let the fabric do all the talking.