A lace skirt might seem like the ultimate frivolous buy, but I’ve found the opposite to be true.
For one thing, you can wear them year round. Really. They’re lovely in summer with bare legs – even if they’re pale, and you’d prefer them to be tanned. Lace takes the edge off whatever might be bugging you about your legs. Uneven skin tone, the odd pesky hair (it happens), botched fake tanning. None of it matters. Lace takes care of it all. Come winter you just add tights. or socks. Or boots, whatever. It all seems to work.
There are signs that shorter lengths are creeping back. Great if that works for you, it doesn’t for everyone. So once again, let’s hear it for lace, which is an escape route from all the heavy kilts (love them, but not every day) and all that fabric. If you haven’t yet sampled the delights of a lace skirt because you think they’re too dressy/twee/high maintenance, try to open your mind. You won’t believe how light and effortless they feel.
On a fabrication note, unlike seersucker or linen, lace doesn’t look anachronistic in winter. The Bear Grylls of the wardrobe, it adapts to whatever conditions you throw at it.
Plus, it doesn’t crease – so it’s perfect for travel. It barely ever needs washing (tip from the top, stick to the darker colours, but if you must go pale, you’re probably better off steaming it than washing or dry cleaning).
Also there are the contradictions: it’s a pattern without being overbearing. It can be black, but since you can see skin it’s softened. In fact, whatever colour lace you choose, you can vary the intensity depending on the slip you wear underneath. It’s romantic, punk, goth, princessy or slutty (can we still say that? I mean it in a loving way). What other fabric enables you to channel your inner Brontë or Britney?
Want to know something else that might become invaluable? A lace or lace-trimmed camisole.
If you’re thinking the latter requires sculpted arms – no, they’re not mandatory. The point is not to wear the thing on its own, although you can, but to slip it under cardigans, blazers or even a military style khaki jacket. Yin and yang my friends, yin and yang.
I’ve more or less stopped wearing silk blouses and shirts under blazers – again, too much fabric, which can look frumpy. A cami stops knitwear looking Miss Marple and makes it glam. The monochrome Me+Em is the best around for the price, and bra friendly. It’s currently reduced but only a few sizes are left. I hope they redo it in different colourways. It’s one of those pieces you won’t know what you did without.
The perfect lace wardrobe
Lisa wears: Cotton hand smocked blouse, £165, Smock London; Lace skirt, made to order, Nevena; Silk scarf, from a selection, Dries Criel; Leather shoes, £225, Flattered; Leather bag, £295, Stow London; Gold plated earrings, £260, YSSO; Acetate sunglasses, £197, Black Eyewear
Photography: Sarah Brick; Hair and makeup: Oonagh Connor at Joy Goodman using NYX Cosmetics and YSL Beauty; Styling: Sophie Tobin; Stylist assistant: Hansveni Dave; Location: With thanks to Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa