Laced Up

I could not stop ogling over this month’s InStyle spread featuring Frida Pinto — how gorgeous is it?!  And how gorgeous is she?!

(Images from InStyle magazine)

It’s funny how things turn out, because I’ve been mentally curating a “lace” post for awhile, and these pics made me realize just how into the lace look I am.  My one caveat: lace can look cheap quickly, especially when the edges are unfinished/unhemmed and the fabric is too stiff.  That being said, I have a slew of pieces that have garnered my attention over the past few weeks, including this too-good-to-be-true See by Chloe dress, on sale for just $150 (!) at TheOutnet:

Adore the proportions and the prim cut, and swoon when I envision pairing it with some sparkling enorma-studs ($75, Bing Bang) and a pair of glossy black pumps (Rupert Sanderson, $590, Net-A-Porter):

I’m also loving the idea of a silky utility blouse ($325, Loeffler Randall) tucked into a trim black lace skirt ($70, TopShop):

I’d keep the jewelry light, with something like these vermeil bangles ($165 for 3, Margaret Elizabeth) and a pair of quartz studs (Anna Sheffield, $374, Shopbop), but the shoes fairly substantial (I’m loving the contrast between suede and lace at the moment — Boutique 9, $130, Shopbop) for the perfect blend of ethereal-with-edge:

Meanwhile, how darned fetching is this lovely little Manteleta Lace dress by Leifsdottir ($398, Leifsdottir)?

Um.  I’m obsessed.  Love the “eyelashes” along the bottom (I learned from wedding dress shopping that you call the little edges of lace that peek out over a hem “eyelashes”) and the interesting neckline.  Nude/champagne pumps are in order with this little feminine piece — something like this pair of Stuart Weitzmans would be perfect (on sale for $181, Farfetch):

And, to round it all out, a pair of sparkling earrings (Vintage Mariam Haskell, $548, House of Lavande) and a dreamy Lanvin clutch (loveeee the feather detail — $1,185, Kirna Zabete):

Lace needn’t be restricted to evening-wear, however.  I’m loving the idea of a somewhat cropped lace top, like this Lover brand piece ($455, Net-A-Porter) with a pair of white shorts (Pucci, $154, TheOutnet) and black strappy sandals (Belle by Sigerson Morrison, on sale for $97, La Garconne):

I like the idea of pairing it with a be-ribboned necklace, like this unexpected find from Talbot’s (on sale for $39, Talbots):

The same design principles apply for this boxy little almost-lace top by Paul&Joe (on sale for $176, MyTheresa) — I’d pair with some skinny jeans in black or a inky dark blue —

–and then top it off with a chunky necklace ($28, TopShop) and some eye-catching flats (Lanvin, $525, Shop Zoe):

Either of the above outfits would be adorable with this roomy, slightly edgy tote from Tory Burch ($595, Tory Burch):

I gotta say, though, that the cross-body bag has been BIG this season.  I’m still not so much into the look — it’s a bit too hipster-with-a-fedora for me (for some reason, the style reminds me of Urban Outfitters, which I like and where I often find nice separates in, but, taken on the whole, the Urban Outfitters aesthetic is sloppy and gritty in a way…which does not mesh well with my overall goal of stream-lined, polished dressing).  However, if I were so inclined, I’d probably snap up something like this Gorjana “Hudson” ($200, Gorjana):

Alternately, how adorable would this silky tank (Sykes, $279, Elizabeth Charles) be, tucked into this tidy little zippered white lace skirt (Paul & Joe, $590, Net-A-Porter):

I’d pair it with some nude pumps ($149, Corso Como) and a pearl-and-gold hooped necklace ($38, Anthropologie):

Or perhaps consider taking a note from the ballerina look by pairing a straight-forward tank ($35, J. Crew) with  a fuller lace skirt ($37.99, Modcloth) and a pair of ballet flats ($162, TheOutnet):

The only thing I’d add?  Some sparkling enorma-studs ($25, TopShop):

If you’re not sold on the lace separates look, just kick your typical LBD up a notch with a pair of killer lace-adorned pumps.  I’ve featured the Valentino bow-toes a number of time already, but how ridiculous are these Fendis (watch out — you may break your ankle in these puppies — $690, Nordstrom)?

Ladylike and edgy at the same time.  Love with a capital L.