Embracing Lace

(above) Valentino white lace dress. (right) Gucci black lace dress accessorized with biker boots and a black choker necklace. (Photos courtesy brands)

I’M READY TO PUT THE FUN IN FASHION ONCE MORE, FLING OPEN THE WARDROBE AND DRESS UP IN MY FINEST PARTY OUTFITS, WHATEVER THE OCCASION. This season, creativity reigns bright with fall trends such as patterned bodysuits, midriff baring silhouettes and miniskirts to thrill, but the one I see being a Hawai‘i crowd pleaser is luxe lace.

In its most defined form, lace is a beautiful, delicate fabric made from fine linen and silk thread. Since the 16th century when lace was first revered, the addition of this soft material added an element of luxury to clothing, indicating wealth and prestige. Throughout the ages, lace has had an enduring allure, adored by brides and rockers alike, and managing to conjure up a sense of both innocence and seduction all at once.

Current lace looks are stunning in all manipulations from Gabriela Hearst’s white overlay dresses with black lace belts to the sporty laser cut styles from Akris Punto often worn beneath gorgeous plush jackets. Many of the pieces shown came in monochromatic black or white with both being equally romantic. The purity of white lace undoubtedly projects a feeling of serenity like the head-to-toe white lace dress from Valentino, but when the same outfits are created in black, clothing morphs into another beast altogether. Seductive, powerful and a little bit punk, wearing black lace projects a vision of strength like a stunning sheer black lace dress from Gucci accessorized with biker boots and a black choker necklace. Shining bright among the lace looks were some rather gorgeous colored pieces. Tom Ford’s fuchsia pink lace mini-dress was a standout, and, among Dsquared2’s many lacey looks was a very wearable baby blue knee-length button-up dress finished off with a heavy leather coat. Many of the season’s looks juxtaposed feminine with masculine, soft fabrics mixed with strong shapes and lace with leather, essentially showing off the very essence of the female character.

Fashion is making a comeback, presenting looks that showed more beauty, more joy, more effort. Take revenge for the past year and harness the positivity of a new season by adding a little lace to your look. It’s time to step out and create new memories.

Kim Smith has been a professional wardrobe stylist in Honolulu since 2004. Born a true Londoner, Smith had a successful career in public relations in the fashion industry in London for more than eight years before moving to Hawai‘i in 2002. Smith’s work spans a vast array of magazines, retailers and television as well as working with individual clients on their specific style needs. See her work at kimsmithstyle.com.