It’s a lacy day

I used to think that lace was just worn by old women, especially when it was favored by my grandmother. She enjoyed sewing her own clothing and this was what she used as accents for collars and sleeves.  However, when I lived in Europe and realized the effort and time put into this handmade fabric, I slowly realized that it was a painstaking method that started in the late 15th century using threads made of linen, silk, and even precious metals such as silver and gold with a myriad of intricate designs. 

In these modern times when handmade has been replaced by machinemade and synthetic is cheaper than authentic, lace is still very much in vogue, no matter what type of material is used, and should  definitely remain a staple in one’s wardrobe.  With the fashionable comeback of timeless and elegant styles, this versatile fabric can be worn demurely or be mysteriously dramatic and even flirtatiously romantic.

Here are some of my friends sharing their lace dresses that will surely be top favorites for years to come, plus some of the latest from Tadashi Shoji’s holiday collection.

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For comments and ideas, please e-mail the author at:  jacinto.fa@gmail.com.