Lovely Lace Dresses

Lace has evolved as a wardrobe staple since its inception in the 16th century. Once worn solely by the clergy and royalty such as Queen Elizabeth I this beautiful weave has become trendy. Years ago lace dresses were worn mainly by fashionable women whom favored classic garments or garments with a hint of romanticism; however, lace also now graces the limbs of women whom have a fashion-forward style.

Lace seamlessly transitions from one season to another because of its compatibility with multiple types of material from knit to silk to cotton and due to the sheer beauty of the patterns that can be made from lace  This spring and summer designers have made lace dresses so much more intriguing by uniting them with commanding colors such as tangerine, neon blue and bright yellow rather than the traditional white or cream expected during the warmer months of the year.

The pairing of lace dresses with bright colors, this season, is likely to change the perception of many whom believed white, cream or black matched best with clothing made of lace. I expect lace will be in heavy rotation amongst the trend-setters this season as a result of the pairing of this weave with vibrant colors.

Recommendations:

• Ensure the lingerie used as a lining for your lace dress pairs well with the color of your lace garment and try on lace garments in a well-lit area to make certain the weave is not too sheer.  A good rule of thumb: Lace garments in vibrant colors such as yellow or orange pair well with lingerie in nude, tan or beige while shades such as electric blue pair well with black lingerie. Note: Many designer lace dresses are already lined.
•  Keep your accessories simple.

Match a Lace Dress with:

• a clutch bag
• pumps
• drop or chandelier earrings

My Favorite Shopping Site for Lace Dresses: Topshop

Topshop has an amazing collection of lace dresses at budget-friendly prices. My favorite is the bright yellow frock below:




Neon Yellow Flippy Lace Dress  from Topshop
 ( http://www.topshop.com/), $92


Lace dresses, such as the dress below, have also been spotted at luxury stores such as Neiman Marcus if you have a more generous budget.





KAS New York Isla Mod Lace
Color-Blocked Dress from Neiman Marcus
 (http://www.neimanmarcus.com/), $198


On another note, a lace dress is a good investment piece. It can easily transition into cold weather season with the addition of a sweater or blazer and tights. Add a cross-body bag and booties to complete your fall look.