What Is Lace? Types, Look and How to Style Lace Clothes

Lace is a textile with an openwork pattern: threads form flowers, tendrils or diamonds, and open gaps remain in between. Lace is not a particular fiber, but a way of working the pattern.

Lace blouses, lace tops and lace pants are a common sight in women’s fashion. Many people ask what lace actually is, what it is made of and how to wear it in everyday life. Here you can read which types exist, what matters when it comes to the fabric and which combinations with jeans, knitwear and a blazer work well.

What is lace? A simple explanation

Lace is an openwork thread structure. The pattern is made of threads that form lines, flowers or diamonds. Gaps remain between the motifs, so air and light pass through. That is why lace looks light and, depending on the pattern, lets a little show through.

In the past lace was made by hand. Today, clothing made of lace usually comes from machine production. For a long time lace was used mainly as trim on collars, hems and sleeves. Nowadays there are whole tops and pants made from it.

What types of lace are there?

The names usually describe the technique or the origin of the pattern. These are the terms you will come across most often:

• Bobbin lace. With this technique, threads are crossed and twisted on bobbins. Chantilly is a well-known fine bobbin lace with delicate flower patterns and is named after a French town.
• Crochet lace. The pattern has a raised, three-dimensional look, often with flowers or diamonds. The so-called crochet look, which you see on many summer pants, is reminiscent of it.
• Embroidered lace. Here the pattern is embroidered onto tulle or a base fabric. Plauen lace from Saxony is a well-known example.
• Stretch lace. With a share of elastane, this lace gives a little. You know it from close-fitting tops and bustiers.

You cannot always tell from a garment whether it was made by hand or by machine. For everyday wear, what matters more is how dense the pattern is and whether the piece is lined.

What is lace made of?

Lace can be made of cotton, viscose, polyamide or polyester, and blends with elastane are common too. Which fiber a piece contains is shown in the material details of each item. The fabric guide for women’s fashion gives an overview of other fabrics.

Two things matter more with lace than the fiber: how dense is the pattern, and is there a lining? A fine, widely worked pattern lets more show through than a dense crochet pattern. A lining, as some tops have, means the lace works only as a surface. Both are shown in the product description.

Which garments are made of lace?

Lace blouse. The loose lace blouse in pink has sleeves made of transparent lace. You wear it over a top or bandeau. You can find a selection in the lace blouses.

Lace top and bustier. The lace bustier in white is made of floral crochet lace and has a deep V neckline. In the daytime you wear it under an open blazer, in the evening with wide pants.

Lace pants. The lace pants in the shop have a fine crochet look, a high elastic waist and a wide leg with lining. They come in black, cream and taupe, among others. How to combine them and what to wear underneath is explained in the guide How to style lace pants.

Lace as a detail. If you only want a hint of lace, choose a piece with lace as an accent. The straight jeans in blue have fine lace details at the hem, the rest is cotton denim with stretch.

How do you wear lace in everyday life?

Lace is not just for the evening. Three rules make lace work during the day too:

• One lace piece per outfit. Lace already brings a lot of texture. Everything else can be smooth and plain.
• Smooth counterparts. Jeans, a simple sweater or a blazer calm the lace down.
• Quiet colors. Black, cream and white let the pattern show. Pink and taupe are softer.

In the daytime a layer on top helps, for example an open blazer or a cardigan. In the evening you leave it off.

How to style lace: with jeans, knitwear and a blazer

With jeans. A lace top or lace blouse with jeans is the simplest combination. The jeans make the look suitable for everyday. You can find a selection in the jeans.

With knitwear. A cardigan over the lace top softens the look. A fine cardigan in the color of the top keeps the line calm, a chunky knit sets a contrast to the fine lace.

With a blazer. The smooth fabric of a blazer is the counterpart to the pattern. You can find more pieces in the jackets. More ideas for smart tops are in the guide Elegant tops for women.

Lace on lace. If you like it deliberately, wear lace pants and a lace top in the same tone. Then the rest stays simple, one piece of jewelry is enough.

Three outfits with lace

Everyday with jeans. Pink lace blouse over a white top, with light jeans and flat shoes. The blouse stays the only lace piece.

Office with a blazer. White lace bustier under an open black blazer, with tailored pants and ballet flats. The blazer keeps the lace understated.

Evening with wide pants. Black lace top, wide pants in cream or beige and ankle boots. Two pieces, two quiet tones.

More dressy pieces are in the guide Smart tops for celebrations.

Also in the shop: lace for women, lace pants and lace tops.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of fabric is lace?

Lace is a textile with an openwork pattern, not a fiber type of its own. The pattern can be made of cotton, viscose, polyamide or polyester.

What types of lace are there?

Well known are bobbin lace, crochet lace, embroidered lace and stretch lace. The types differ in technique and in the look of the pattern.

Is lace see-through?

That depends on the pattern. Fine, widely worked lace lets more show through, a dense crochet pattern less. Whether a piece is lined is shown in the product description.

What is the difference between lace and crochet lace?

Lace is the umbrella term for openwork patterns. Crochet lace is one form of it, with a raised pattern that recalls crocheted flowers or diamonds.

Which colors go with lace?

Black, cream, white and taupe are the easiest tones. The pattern is easy to see, and the colors are simple to combine.

Can you wear lace in everyday life?

Yes, with jeans, a blazer or a cardigan lace looks plainer. One lace piece per outfit is enough.