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How to Ace Lace: Fresh, Modern Ways to Style Lace over 40

Lace has long been known for its delicate, vintage vibe—but if you’re in your 40s, 50s, or 60s, you might wonder if it’s veering into “old-lady” territory. The good news?  When styled with a modern twist, lace can be incredibly chic, flattering, and fresh—no matter your age.

Black lace top camel pants

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The secret is in the mix. Pair lace with everyday staples like denim, sleek blazers, or a great leather jacket, and suddenly, it feels current and cool—not fussy or frilly. It’s that balance of soft and structured, feminine and edgy, that makes lace work so well in a grown-up wardrobe.

Whether you’re grabbing brunch with friends, heading to the office, or getting dressed up for a night out, lace can easily be part of your style story. Here’s how to wear it with confidence—and without looking overly sweet or stuck in the past.

Modern Ways to Wear Lace

1. Choose the Right Lace for a Modern Look

The first step? Skip the stiff, bulky lace that feels prim and old-fashioned. Instead of heavy, intricately embroidered lace, choose lighter, softer, airier lace with a delicate pattern. Floral, geometric, and unique lace patterns can also add a contemporary edge.

floral lace topFloral Lace Top

2. Pair Lace with Casual Denim for a Chic Everyday Look

Lace and jeans may seem like opposites, but that’s why they work. The softness of lace and the structure of denim balance each other and will make you look modern. For example, a breezy, cropped white lace shirt with flare jeans and strappy flat sandals is an easy way to add lace to your wardrobe without feeling overdressed.

You might also try a lace-trimmed tee or even a sweatshirt with lace detail. Pair these with dark, medium, or light-wash jeans in any style. The lighter the color of the denim, the more casual the look. You can read more here about styling lace tops with jeans.

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black lace dress

Black Lace Dress

3. Skip the Frills (Unless You Love Them) and go for Modern Shapes and Styles

If you want to ditch the old lady look of lace, skip anything over frilly, ruffled, or with excessive lace details that create a voluminous look. Instead, opt for clean lines and minimal shapes. Modern lace looks best when it’s incorporated into a streamlined design, like a fitted blouse, tailored top, or a sleek midi dress. These simple silhouettes make the lace the star without overpowering your look. Asymmetric cuts can also give lace a youthful twist.

 

cream lace trucker jacket

Lace Trucker Jacket

4. Don’t OD on Lace

Too much lace is exhausting and tacky to look at. Don’t overdo it. For example, if you wear a lace blouse, don’t wear lace anywhere else. You can get too much of a good thing. This lace trucker jacket is a beautiful statement piece. Let it shine on its own.

coral lace edge tee with jeans and demin jacket

Coral Lace Hem Jersey

5. Layer Smart: Add a Jacket or Blazer

The easiest way to make lace look polished and classy is to wear it with a structured piece. For example, a blazer or denim jacket over an all-lace or lace-trimmed top tones down the sweet, romantic look and adds sophistication and authority.  A layering piece also helps give you a more youthful shape by improving the look of schlumpy, rounded shoulders that come with age.

Other options for layering pieces: a cropped moto jacket when you want to create an urban edge, a long cardigan, or a trench to look casually elegant.

 

Lavender Lace Dress

Lavender Lace Dress

6. Experiment with Color

Don’t feel limited to white or cream lace, which may not be you or can wash you out. Modern lace is all about personality. Burgundy or Emerald green for a luxe, bold feel, Aqua Blue or Ballerina Pink for a feminine spring look, and Black lace for evening or date nights. Also trending is navy and yellow lace.

7. Keep Accessories Simple and Sleek

Lace already adds texture and detail to your outfit, so there is no need to pile on bold accessories. Too much jewelry or a ton of accessories doesn’t look relaxed. Keep your look simple and sleek to make lace look lovely and daytime-friendly. Wear delicate jewelry, neutral shoes, and an elegant tote or crossbody bag. Keep it easy, polished, and unfussy.

8. Wear the Right Undergarments

Lace can be sheer, so what’s underneath matters. Use common sense and wear a camisole. I saw an attractive woman in her late 40s at the Heathrow airport wearing jeans and a white, see-through lace stop.  Everyone around her couldn’t stop staring at her very sexy, low-cut, push-up bra peeking through underneath. She got attention, but not in a good way!

Green lace dress

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9. Quality Counts, especially at our Age

Cheap lace is thin, overly stretchy lace, clingy, and looks dated.  Buy quality lace pieces with a bit of structure and nice finishing (like scalloped hems or lined bodices).  40+ bodies demand quality to look chic, and lace is one of those fabrics where this really counts. 

white jeans outfit

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10. Keep Hair & Makeup Effortless

Lace + heavy makeup + a stiff hairstyle instantly age you! Keep things fresh, natural, and feminine. Balance lace with loose waves and soft makeup to create a relaxed overall vibe.

The Last Word on Lace

Whether you are 42, 56, or 73, with the right styling, lace is timeless, feminine, and incredibly chic. Check out this fabulous spring trend, and if you put together an outfit, be sure to post it in my private Facebook Group- the Fabulous After 40 Dressing Room! 

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Meet the author

Deborah Boland

Deborah, a former Fashion & Lifestyle TV host and Image Consultant, understands the style challenges women face in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. As the founder of Fabulous After 40, she helps women tweak their chic and embrace fashion with confidence—so they always look and feel amazing.

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3 thoughts on “How to Ace Lace: Fresh, Modern Ways to Style Lace over 40

  1. Great tips! I love lace but in a discreet way. I like a tone-on-tone lace overlay on a dress (like the purple lace dress you showed above) or a lace cami under a v-neck top so just a little lace is showing at the neckline and shirt hem (ideally also tone-on-tone – teal lace cami under a teal v-neck top). Something where the lace brings an element of interest but doesn’t stand out.

  2. I saw Sally Field wearing red lace. She looks fantastic in everything. I love her! I had no idea she was 66. Last week I bought myself a Roland Klein Lace Dress with a matching long jacket (not sure if it’s too much) in a lovely light purple color. Still too cold to wear, but I am looking forward to putting it on in the summer.