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.
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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, opt for lighter, softer, and airier lace with a delicate pattern. Floral, geometric, and unique lace patterns can also add a contemporary edge.
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, making 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. For more information, you can read about styling lace tops with jeans here.
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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 frilly, ruffled, or with excessive lace details, as these can 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 add a youthful twist to lace.
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, avoid wearing lace elsewhere. You can get too much of a good thing. This lace trucker jacket is a beautiful statement piece. Let it shine on its own.
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 include a cropped moto jacket to create an urban edge, a long cardigan, or a trench to achieve a casually elegant look.
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 Heathrow Airport wearing jeans and a white, see-through lace top. 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!
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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.
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10. Keep Hair & Makeup Effortless
Lace, heavy makeup, and a stiff hairstyle can 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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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.
Hi Carolyn, Yes, I agree. I also like a subtle look—the more subtle, the more elegant. Less is more in general, but at the odd time, I like a nice statement piece!
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.