Lace dress / lace skirt: women's trend

A trend round-up to inspire you for late-summer 2010, but also a trend that you'd be amiss not to carry in to Autumn / Fall 2010 / 2011: lace dresses and lace skirts.
Right now you're thinking that this is nothing new. And you're right; it's an extension of the sheer trend that's has, for some time, firmly cemented itself as its own, independent trend. So what follows is, instead, more about how to wear the trend now, and how to set yourself apart from the masses - so that you can bring it forwards and into a new league.

Types of lace

There are many different types of lace, and various methods for producing it - so many that we won't go into them here. The long and short of it is this: it's now less about the stretch, allover lace, and more about antique-style lace. Fabrics that look like a more traditional needle or bobbin lace (even if they're machine made). Generally, go for a wider net, a more unique pattern, a sturdier fabric - rather than a thin stretch lace.

How to wear it

The ultimate balance of lace in 2010 / 2011 is to be romantic but not over-girly; sensual but not over-suggestive. Like taking beautifully crafted lace that would have once been part of a garment and making it the only layer. The lace isn't an added detail of a garment, it is the garment. And thus we come to lace skirts and lace dresses. Dare to wear them without a slip underneath. Just keep the cut a little more relaxed or the hem a little longer to maintain that aforementioned balance.