Embracing Lace

Apparently, if you're Emily Blunt, you can wear lace from head to toe and get away with it.

As I like to make comparison-posts, I decided that snow is very lace-like in it's delicate intricacy. Enough so that I feel I am completely justified in dedicating this post to lace (despite the fact that we have zero snow here where I live).

I am crazy about these retro Valentino looks!

Coo-coo and awesome at the same time!

This lacy gown on Dianna Agron is beyond stunning!

I'm loving the hard and soft combination here!

I love lace, though I think in many circumstances lace can be tacky, frumpy, gaudy, shabby or just too froofy. I also think that the memory of the Madonna-era-lace makes some people shy away from it before ever giving it a second chance.

Apparently, Dianne Kruger loves lace, because I found a ton of great examples of both of them together!

Whoa! Swoon!!!

Lace and golds and tans. Very interesting!

I remember clearly how desperately I wanted to own a pair of lace, cut-off gloves!

So, lets all take a second look and try to learn to embrace it's beauty and delicate elegance. Lace first came into popular existence in the late 1500's  (though objects resembling lace bobbins have been found in Roman remains, but there are no records of Roman lace-making). Of course, it was first used by clergy, but it quickly spread to royalty and other gentry. There is even a Patron Saint of Lace-Making (St John Francis Regis). 

A very dreamy 70's example.

Lace perfection!

Nothing like a little well-placed lace on a smoldering Rita Heyworth!

She is simply dripping with lace. Amazing!

The industrial revolution had a huge hand in the downfall of hand-made lace (though despite it's intricate and complicated process, there are still people today who carry on the tradition - including a dear friend of mine). But lace is still alive and well in fashion. I am a huge fan of lace when it is used well, so I hope you enjoy my post and it's accompanying pictures!

A typical example of traditional lace making. It looks virtually impossible to me, but I would really love to see a live demonstration! What kind of crazy lunatic came up with this in the first place?!

Here are some wonderful, older examples of lace and it's uses through the years.

How intricate and amazing! I sometimes wish collars and cuffs like this would come back around. (Maybe just a little bit smaller and more subtle?)