Few fabrics are as romantic and timeless as lace. A lace dress feels feminine, elegant and a little luxurious, and it has been an obvious choice for fine occasions since the Victorian era. The best part? A lace dress is incredibly versatile – with the right styling, you can wear the same dress to everything from summer parties and weddings to a casual night on the town.
In this guide, we'll go over why the lace dress is so flattering, how to dress it up and down, what to consider when it comes to undergarments, how it fits at a wedding, and how to choose the length and color and care for the lace. Below, we'll answer the most common questions.
Content
- That's why the lace dress is so grateful
- Dress up the lace dress
- Dress it down for everyday wear
- Think about your underwear
- Lace dress at wedding
- Choose length and color
- How to care for the lace
- Our favorites right now
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
That's why the lace dress is so grateful
Lace is a timeless material that never goes out of style. It adds texture and dimension to a dress, a romantic and graceful feel, and a luxurious look – often without costing a fortune. Lace also comes in many varieties: from light and ethereal Chantilly lace to heavier, more structured guipure lace and embroidered lace with raised patterns. The type of lace you choose affects both the expression and the fit, but the common thing is that a lace dress always feels beautiful and well thought out.
Dress up the lace dress
The lace dress is made for a party. If you want to elevate the look for an evening or special occasion, a pair of heels, a small clutch and some more dramatic jewelry, preferably in metallic tones such as gold or champagne, are often enough to create harmony. An elegant hairdo completes the look. Keep the balance: if you wear large earrings, you can keep the necklace more subtle, so that the lace is the focus. Find the right shoes among our women's shoes and a bag among ours women's bags.
Dress it down for everyday wear
Lace doesn't always have to be dressed up. For a more casual look, you can match the lace dress with a light cardigan or a neutral trench coat and swap the heels for comfortable loafers or ballerinas. For a more modern and cool contrast, a pair of ankle boots and a denim jacket work great - the raw denim contrasts nicely with the delicate lace. Complete with a piece from our women's cardigans or women's jackets.
Think about your underwear
Lace is often semi-transparent, so undergarments play an extra important role. Make sure the dress has a lining or wear a slip underneath, and choose seamless underwear in a skin-tone shade that matches your skin tone rather than the color of the dress. A pair of shapewear can also give a smooth and even silhouette. If you want to read more, we have a whole guide on what to wear under a dress.
Lace dress at wedding
Lace is a popular and elegant choice for weddings, and a lace midi dress is especially flattering as a wedding guest. If you need to cover your shoulders during the wedding, simply add a bolero, shawl or nice cardigan – read more in our guide about what to wear over a sleeveless dress. Just remember the most important rule: as a guest, avoid white, ivory, and other bridal shades, as white is reserved for the bride. Instead, choose a colorful or muted tone – ELLE guides you through whatever is appropriate.Our summer dress for wedding guest with lace sleeves is a perfect example.
Choose length and color
The length determines the occasion. A short lace dress is perfect for the cocktail bar, birthday party or a night out dancing, while a midi length is the most versatile and suits everything from weddings to fancy dinners. A maxi lace dress gives a dramatically romantic feel that looks great at a garden party or gala. If you want to read more, we have a guide on dress lengths. When it comes to color, white and pastels feel romantic and spring-like, while deep jewel tones and black are suitable for more festive occasions in the fall and winter. A deep V-neck lace maxi dress is an elegant party choice, while a short white dress with lace details is summery and romantic.
How to care for the lace
Lace is delicate and will last the longest with a little extra care. Wash the dress by hand or on a gentle, cool cycle in a laundry bag, and avoid wringing it out to avoid damaging the threads. Be careful not to get the lace caught in jewelry or Velcro, let the garment air dry flat, and never iron hard directly on the lace – steam gently or iron inside out on low heat. For more care tips, we have a guide on how to wash delicate garments.
Our favorites right now
Three lace dresses we recommend:
- Lace maxi dress with deep V-neck – elegant and festive for the evening.
- Summer dress for wedding guest with lace sleeves – as if made for a summer wedding.
- Short white dress with lace details – summery, romantic and backless.
Find more models among our women's dresses – with free shipping within Sweden.
Frequently asked questions
How do you style a lace dress?
Dress it up with heels, a clutch and some dramatic jewelry for parties and weddings, or dress it down with a cardigan or denim jacket and comfortable shoes for everyday wear. A bolero or shawl provides nice coverage, and balanced accessories let the lace be the focus.
What to wear under a lace dress?
Since lace is often semi-transparent, you will need a lining or slip, as well as seamless underwear in a skin-tone shade. A pair of shapewear will also provide a smooth and even silhouette.
Is a lace dress appropriate for a wedding?
Yes, lace is a popular and elegant choice, and a lace midi dress is especially flattering as a wedding guest. Accessorize with a bolero to cover your shoulders, but avoid white and ivory as those colors are reserved for the bride.
What length of lace dress should you choose?
A short lace dress is suitable for the cocktail bar and party, a midi is the most versatile and suitable for weddings and dinners, and a maxi gives a dramatically romantic feel to a garden party or gala.
How do you wash a lace dress?
Wash by hand or on a gentle, cool cycle in a laundry bag, and avoid wringing it out. Let the garment air dry flat and never iron hard directly on the lace – steam gently or iron inside out on low heat.
What color of lace dress suits you best?
White and pastels feel romantic and spring-like, while deep jewel tones and black are suitable for more festive occasions in the fall and winter. However, avoid white if you are going to be a wedding guest.
Summary
The lace dress is romantic, timeless and incredibly versatile. Dress it up with heels and jewelry for parties and weddings, or dress it down with a denim jacket and boots for everyday wear.Consider lining and seamless undergarments as lace is often semi-transparent, choose length and color according to the occasion, and take care of the lace carefully so it lasts a long time. With the right styling, you can wear the same lace dress for almost any occasion.
Ready to find your favorite? Explore our women's dresses.
