How to wear lace in midlife, like Victoria Beckham
It may be the most romantic of fabrics, but there’s more versatility to this stuff of lingerie and bridal veils than you might think. From Chloé and Valentino to Alexander McQueen, recent collections have been awash with ruffled lace gowns in pretty pastels (and even acid green). The high street has followed suit, and while everyday life may offer woefully few opportunities to don such high-drama pieces, you could always make a splash in the office – or tone things down in more judiciously styled lace.
Cat Deeley made the case for a flouncy lace blouse in winter last month, pairing a voluminous piece from & Other Stories with blues-busting terracotta trousers. Meanwhile, Zara Tindall opted for a Leo Lin dress combining lace with floral embroidery. Granted, she was at an event on Australia’s balmy Gold Coast; if you’re reluctant to brave the chill in lace, remember that there’s something irresistible about its gauzy intricacy next to cosy wool, as Claudia Winkleman can attest.
This contrast has been stitched into a recent crop of jumpers. Look to French brand Sézane, which often features lace in its sell-out knits. Or British brand Wiggy Kit’s merino-cashmere V-neck, which frames the décolletage with a black lace overlay. “Lace is inherently feminine, so I find it looks best paired with something masculine or oversized for a more effortless look,” says founder Wiggy Hindmarch. “A hint of lace poking out, rather than wearing it head-to-toe, can create a more understated look.”
A similarly effortless way to play with the trend comes via lace trimming. Elegantly hemmed slip skirts and dresses are something of a permanent fixture on the catwalk and the high street alike, but the best way to wear them now is to temper them with tougher silhouettes. The contrast borrows from Phoebe Philo-era Céline, circa 2015, when silky black-and-white lace-trimmed pieces were paired with chunky leather Chelsea boots and blazers. A fresh update might swap in mid-calf biker boots or a shearling jacket.
But perhaps the easiest lace insert of all comes courtesy of Victoria Beckham, whose Valentine’s Day capsule features plenty of the fabric, including her personal favourite incarnation: a pair of lace tights. An ideal way to add variety to all-black outfits, these prove once and for all that you don’t need a floor-sweeping gown to embrace lace.
Shopping by Sophie Tobin
