When we say lace, we think weddings, royalty, formal wear, gowns, and the like. It comes as no surprise that the fabric is associated with extravagance because it’s been around for a long time. It sprung so long ago that it was first a favorite among monarchs and the nobility before fashion designers and the common majority of people.
Lace used to be made by hand and was the most expensive part of a dress. Both men and women wore it on their collars, ties, cuffs, shoulders and shawls, but it took a lot and was a real pain to acquire and to be made into something wearable. So we must feel really lucky to have an abundance of it readily available and coming into stores almost every week (because of fast fashion and the fact that it never goes out of style).
Be that as it may, the lack of rarity can be a blessing and a curse because we have too many of it and that makes it lose its charm. It’s quite hard to feel fanciful and beautiful when you know all the other girls have something like it too, but lose the “woe is me” plight as these designer lace tops will differentiate you from the rest.
SAINT LAURENT sheer drop puff sleeve lace top
Price: US$1,398.00
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The contrasting delicacy and mystique of this Saint Laurent top can be attributed to black sheer silk lace that appears more opaque on the cuffs and shoulders. The bodice is shaped to go with the flow of your curves while the puffed long sleeves give it a little volume on the sides. Enhance the style of your nightlife persona by wearing this with something leather.
Monique Lhuillier High-Neck Long-Sleeve Floral-Guipure Lace Top
Price: US$1,195.00
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If we’re gonna talk about lace, there’s no one better to consult than Monique Lhuillier, a bridal fashion extraordinaire. This white top looks like it came from a gown that detached from a ball skirt. The humble high neck, slim fit and long sleeves are balanced by the low V at the back.
OSCAR DE LA RENTA Caraco bow-embellished cotton-blend guipure lace and tulle top
Price: US$1,890.00
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Oscar de la Renta makes the mesh ground work modestly by adding in large bell sleeves, scalloped trims, and grosgrain ribbons at the back that distract from the excessive show of skin. Bring out your daring side by wearing a black bralette underneath, or a cami to be more businesslike.
Roberto Cavalli Lace Cut Out Blouse
Price: US$2,595.00
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Roberto Cavalli’s cutout blouse reveals a lot with its seductive deep V neckline and bare low back, but it’s done in sophistication as delicate, flowy ruffles and asymmetric bell sleeves cover up, or more like decorate the rest of your upper body.
HUISHAN ZHANG Odetta lace top
Price: US$817.00
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Designer brands seem to have a mutual affinity for long-sleeved black lace tops as this list has revealed so far and we’re impressed with how no two tops look the same. Huishan Zhang’s Odetta top, though having the same long sleeves and front button-down fastening, has a tiered effect and faux pearls dotting the sleeves, which elicits a different dramatic mood.
Alexander McQueen Sheer High-Low Drawstring Sarabande Lace Top
Price: US$3,975.00
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For sure every woman has already imagined their dream wedding from the dress up to the giveaways when they were only a girl. Now that you’re a grown-up, the idea of a wedding might have changed for you, but why not bring back the playfulness of your childhood imagination and revel in the feel of a practice long train in the guise of Alexander McQueen‘s high-low Sarabande top?
SELF-PORTRAIT One-shoulder guipure lace top
Price: US$290.00
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An abstract swirling pattern partly shows off skin through this semi-sheer Self-Portrait top and bares the décolletage in a one-shoulder style. Made with thick guipure, this long-sleeved top with ruffles flowing from the asymmetric trims still gives you warmth and coverage in this chilly weather.
ROLAND MOURET Lace-paneled stretch-crepe blouse
Price: US$1,275.00
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A mesh ground is a common sight in any lace clothing so much so that appliqués and embroidered motifs attracts all the attention away from their fragile beauty. But this Roland Mouret top puts it as the main attraction simply by incorporating geometric panelling on the shoulders down to the flute sleeves. Put up your hair when you wear this to show off your shoulder blades with the low back.
OFF-WHITE High neck lace top with shoulder pads
Price: US$800.00
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Don’t swear off shoulder pads yet because this Off-White number might change your mind on the widely-despised trend. Except for the shoulders where the boxy pads sit, this top hides nothing in a completely sheer composition through thin silk threads and outline patterns. The style would’ve been demure but it’s the best show-off opportunity to layer over your best white lace bralette.
GIAMBATTISTA VALLI lace panel top
Price: US$1,933.00
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Everybody has days when they don’t feel like dressing up, even the most highly-regarded fashion icons and models. This lace top is made for those days when you need a go-to item that you can just grab and go. The loose and flowy top won’t make any fuss as you go through your day, but the lace panels and asymmetric hem keep your best-dressed streak even on your rest day.
FAITH CONNEXION sheer lace top
Price: US$395.00
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Many sheer lace tops still conform to your comfort zone by drowning you out in a loose fit or volumized sleeves, but this Faith Connexion top won’t give you an out when you decide to be this daring. It’s a form-fitting top that enhances your shape through the boxy shoulders and slimming hem. Others will have you wear a bra underneath but this will even save you the trouble by providing the opaque pads and large ribbon from the high neckline for extra cover.
GUCCI Pussy-bow Chantilly lace blouse
Price: US$2,700.00
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We can’t imagine not having lace clothes available when we need it and getting one nowadays only requires going to the mall or shopping online. Even though this Gucci top isn’t necessarily custom-made, it will make you feel the specialty of having a rare item because it took an old technique to create this with flimsy Chantilly lace. This top is topped with an exaggerated pussybow that you can remove if worn for everyday wear.
PHILOSOPHY DI LORENZO SERAFINI Lace top
Price: US$435.00
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Thanks to lace fabrics, layering in the summer is completely doable and is actually the solution to combat the heat. This lace top requires as little as a white camisole to keep it appropriate for all occasions as the loose fit keeps it airy and not icky on your body, especially during the dry season.
VERA WANG layered floral lace top
Price: US$625.00
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The combination of lace and Vera Wang paints a very clear picture in our minds of a beautiful, maximalist, crisp white wedding gown. But the designer takes it down a notch with this lace top cut in a t-shirt style. All you t-shirt-and-jeans type shouldn’t be left out to cotton tees when this top from the world-renowned designer can enhance your outfits a thousand-fold.
GIAMBATTISTA VALLI Pussy-bow lace-trimmed printed silk-chiffon blouse
Price: US$1,720.00
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A mix of chiffon and lace isn’t new to the fashion world. It’s a given formula for almost every summer blouse, skirt, or dress, but Giambattista Valli gives this top a high fashion treatment with the fusion of a varied polka dot design and the black patterned lace panels. The flared sleeves make a more apparent appearance when paired with flared jeans, so choose your bottoms accordingly.
AULA lace top
Price: US$327.00
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Wearing clothes is a normal part of our routine, and sometimes it becomes just that: a routine. This Aula top changes that for you as it acts more like a decoration you’ll push to adorn your body than a mandatory clothing for coverage. It doesn’t do much for that purpose anyway, but pairing this with a tube top underneath sets it like an art piece for your upper body.
Marchesa Bell-Sleeve Corded Lace Illusion Top
Price: US$995.00
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Marchesa’s pink bell sleeved lace top features an illusion. Tonal tight-fitting spandex hugs the space between your neck and shoulders until it falls to the seam where the lace overlay begins, which resemble an off-shoulder. It falls to a flared hem and sleeves, making it as easy to put on as your bedtime slips.
JONATHAN SIMKHAI Cutout guipure lace-paneled washed-silk top
Price: US$675.00
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A cutout between the draped shoulders and blouson sleeves is sometimes the best way to showcase a little tease of skin, but this Jonathan Simkhai doesn’t stop at that. The attention-grabbing lace panels along the hem and neck are matched with movement from the ties at the cuffs that moves as your arms swing when you walk. Even with jeans, this is sure to garner some looks of admiration.
ISABEL MARANT Kery broderie anglaise cotton and lace top
Price: US$625.00
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Isabel Marant’s Kery takes the openwork lace to a literal sense with this patterned broderie anglaise cotton and lace trim at the sleeves and hem. Pompoms line all sides of the hem which really puts this at the forefront of summer fashion. Wear this with a black triangle bra in the city or with a bikini top at the beach.
ALEXANDER WANG perforated lace top
Price: US$348.00
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Most of us can only imagine lace as edgy when it’s partnered with leather, as everyone has done for years. But an Alexander Wang top can’t escape the fashion house’s cutting-edge character even when using a delicate fabric. This perforated lace top gives off a metallic grainy texture from afar because of the layered nude cami and black long sleeve lace with raw fringed hems. It’s already edgy on its own but matching it with leather bottoms, skirt or otherwise, completes the look.
TORY BURCH Nicola lace top
Price: US$229.00
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You probably have the iconic Tory Burch flats with their signature double inverted T logo in silver or gold-tone hardware, but the brand isn’t only good for their accessories as pop culture would have you believe. The Nicola top proves the brand can make a statement with a bold red lace top lined with comfy midnight blue polyester.
MIU MIU Lace and silk-organza top
Price: US$1,445.00
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We’d love to bring out our shift dresses this early into spring, and in some places people can (what a lucky bunch!), but we’ll be unrealistic if we would call this chilling weather spring for the rest of the country. There’s still time to wear skinnies to block out the wind, so instead of a dress, this Miu Miu top which also has a straight and loose line and a bonus mandarin collar will keep you breezy as in summer but warm in this dreadful cold.
Ralph&Russo Lace Blouse
Price: US$2,450.00
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This sheer Ralph&Russo lace top doesn’t have any print or embroidery on the fabric. It’s just a mesh ground but you wouldn’t even notice the lack of it with the distraction of ruffles on every part of the blouse. A deep V neckline and midriff-baring lace panel shows a bit of skin and the high-low hemline is designed to hang on top of your trousers. Wear white to make it visible.
DIANE VON FURSTENBERG Lace top
Price: US$229.00
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This lace top would be the same as all the others if not for the distinct leaf motifs instead of floral and the slightly cropped length. It’s cut to a traditional t-shirt pattern and lined with a black cami, so it’s really meant for low-rise pants for an enhanced version of the most basic outfit combo.
MSGM floral sleeve lace top
Price: US$590.00
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MSGM is a brand meant for the hip and young, so this playful and bright long-sleeved lace top is no exception from their trendy and fresh designs. The white lace body ends in a scalloped hem while the puff sleeves feature an eclectic mix of floral images in bright oranges and yellows with pops of blue, pink, black, and red.
OLVI´S off-shoulder floral lace top
Price: US$609.00
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We’d really recommend going for black or white when it comes to lace blouses. There are some fabrics that look good in different colors, but lace is not one of those. Olvi’s off-shoulder top is one of the exceptions because it’s light gray color doesn’t take away the elegance of the lace, instead brings it forward. The length goes beyond your rear but show off at the top with your exposed shoulders, collar bones, and upper back.
Elie Saab Wrapped Lace Blouse
Price: US$1,625.00
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This figure-hugging Elise Saab lace top is a wrap style that makes everything opaque other than the lace panels on the hem and décolletage. A high neckline ends low with a wide V where the wrap starts and then ends with a ribbon tie on the waist.
ZIMMERMANN Asymmetric silk lace top
Price: US$475.00
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Mixing and matching takes skill and if you’re good at it, you can expand a one-compartment closet into a hundred different outfits. Clothes like this Zimmerman top should be your best friend. The long asymmetrical lace can disguise it as a dress when you match a black skirt or shorts to the attached black cami. On another day, have fun playing around with tucking it in or using it as decoration for some trousers.
GIVENCHY textured lace top
Price: US$1,900.00
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Don’t take our word on colored lace too seriously. Obviously there would be exceptions as designers surprise us with pieces that challenge what we know and Givenchy definitely turned us over with this electric blue lace top. The textured top makes stripes out of the alternating thickness and then sheerness of the lace. Wear with a nude cami underneath to really show the design.
Self-Portrait Floral Organza Eyelet Lace Top
Price: US$410.00
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White button-downs will be a hit in the summer. You’ll see a lot of chiffons because of the scorching hot weather, but take a different approach with this loose and slightly stretchable lace top. The holed pattern will give you tons of air flow to prevent sweating bullets, even with the long blouson sleeves, mandarin collar, and extra ruffles covering your front.
VALENTINO Lace top
Price: US$1,450.00
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Sets are fashion’s gift for reducing prep time when dressing. This lace top should immediately compel you to “add to cart” along with the matching lace shorts because them together are the ultimate summer outfit. We won’t hold it against you if you’re an avid outfit repeater this summer because of it.
Dolce & Gabbana Short-Sleeve Lace Blouse w/ Heart Applique
Price: US$1,675.00
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We wouldn’t totally disregard lace tops to incorporate into sporty outfits because this Dolce & Gabbana piece looks so good with an extremely loose pair of sweatpants. The logo-emblazoned heart appliqué will show you’re for the team D&G. Otherwise, untuck the scalloped hem over a pencil skirt for a business casual look.
GIAMBATTISTA VALLI Appliquéd embroidered cotton-blend lace blouse
Price: US$2,300.00
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It takes more than 30 items to be tired of white or black lace. Although you’re not completely done with it, perhaps you need something that has a differing element. This top from Giambattista is light-colored but has subtle hints of green throughout. We highly recommend this one because the ruffled deep V-neck will make you look all business on top, which you’d want to take advantage of for when you need a confidence boost.
SEE BY CHLOÉ Guipure lace-paneled cotton-jersey top
Price: US$265.00
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If you’ve ever worn uncomfortable lace that made every inch it touched on your body itch, lace in the summer might not sound so appealing. If you’d been turned off from lace during the summer, this top from See by Chloé will convert you back into it with a very airy and soft cotton-jersey from where loose lace-panelled sleeves flare out.
PATBO lace bell sleeve top
Price: US$347.00
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Pastel pink lace isn’t the most revolutionary thing in fashion. It’s been used a million times, but this Patbo top is one of the few that incorporates equally-adorable details like the elongated bell sleeves, which is a big trend right now. The off-shoulder style round neckline and floral motifs add to the delicate nature of the mesh.
TEMPERLEY LONDON Wondering lace-paneled fil coupé georgette blouse
Price: US$695.00
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The boho trend isn’t too far gone and wearing it now wouldn’t really put you in a negative light in the fashion world, especially since we’re moving towards spring and summer. This Temperley London top features different textures and prints, boho being evident in its balloon sleeves.
STELLA MCCARTNEY Lace top
Price: US$477.00
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Athleisure had been taking a moment in the fashion world long enough, it’s just about time we experiment with it. Begin playing around with your wardrobe through this Stella McCartney top which combines delicate white lace and sporty hems outlined with a gold stripe. On your first time, layer it over a white tank top then try it with a white casual sports bra when you’re ready to experiment with it a little more.
MIGUELINA Tama crocheted cotton-lace top
Price: US$450.00
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What do you get for the summer: a top or a cover-up? No need to answer that because Miguelina’s Tama top can be both. Whether you plan to bum around at the beach all summer long or you’re unfortunately tied to the city, you’ll be experiencing the season either way just by wearing this over triangle bras or bikini tops. Pair with Miguelina’s Yara shorts for a cute crocheted set outfit.
DAIZY SHELY flower lace top
Price: US$708.00
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This Daizy Shely lace top reminds us of thick curtains you’d usually find in your grandma’s house, in a very good way. In any grandparent’s house, everything seem to be vintage and high-quality. This thick beige lace with ruffled bell sleeves and shiny floral motifs give off a classic appeal. Pair with metallic or velvet bottoms to complement it with more sheen.
SEA Ribbed cotton-trimmed guipure lace sweatshirt
Price: US$355.00
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Sheer mesh and floral lace fabrics are cut in this sweatshirt style top, finished off with ribbed trims at the neckline, wavy cuffs, and hem. It’s not much to be noticed easily but the dark blue color makes every detail pop up against your skin. Manipulate the top by wearing different kinds of layers underneath (depending also on the weather) and adjusting the sleeves for either a three-quarter length or full coverage.
Spring cleaning your closet is a task that would soon line up on your planner in the coming weeks. If there’s something we couldn’t love more, it’s getting rid of the thick coats and thermal layers and stuffing the empty space they left with lightweight clothes made of paper-thin fabrics. That’s where these lace tops come in. Not only are these trendy, but they’re made intentionally to be day-to-night wearables for this specific weather. It’s just a bonus that they match the seasonal mood of spring and summer. If you’re really treating yourself this year, these tops are up and ready for grabs, so you can get them just in time for your annual closet cleaning schedule.
Other Must-Reads For Women’s Dashing Luxury Clothing in 2018:
- Top 17 Smart Casual Valentino Women’s Shirts in 2018
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- 9 Best Selling Balenciaga Jackets for Women in 2018
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