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Lace is more

Caution: With the fashion trend toward the lacy carrying over to spring, it's easy to get carried away.

By SHARON FINK
Published January 28, 2006

We're in the thick of the froufrou season: hearts, flowers, red, pink, cardboard Cupids to equal the population of China. And lace. Enough lace to clothe each member of the Cupid population every day for a month.

This year, however, Valentine's Day isn't the only thing to blame. Lace, one of fall's major fashion trends, is carrying over into spring and summer, pushing our "frou" levels way above normal.

Already in stores, lace is decorating dresses, T-shirts, blouses, sweaters and tank tops. Skirts and tops are made of it. Jackets made of and/or trimmed with lace are available for covering up all the other lace.

But a head-to-toe lace extravaganza succeeds only in making people think you're a wedding cake figurine, have an unhealthy fixation with prom dressing or never got past Madonna circa 1983-85. As with most things in life, moderation is best. And the most moderate way to wear lace is one piece at a time.

STARTING POINT: A top is the simplest way to go. For the conservative, opt for a T, tank or camisole with lace around the neckline and wear it under an unadorned blouse, sweater or jacket with the lace peeking out.

If you're in it strictly for the trend, go for low-price basic cotton; you can wear it for a few months and then toss it, and not have to worry about how long it will hold up in the wash before disintegrating (because most such pieces won't hold up for long). Or invest in a silk or high-grade synthetic camisole that you can wear for a few years with having it immediately dated as trendy. ADVANCE TO: Skirts, tops and jackets - one at a time.

Wear a lacy top, with sleeves or not, with a plain or subtly printed bottom. Or take that lace jacket and pair with with a simple top. A skirt is best either made of eyelet lace (lower-watt froufrou) or with lace as an inset or border accent. Keep it no longer than knee-length; the longer the skirt, the higher the frou.

EXTRA CREDIT: Add lace accents to clothes and accessories you already own with a yard or two of lace from a fabric store. Use it as a belt for pants or a tunic top. As a necklace or a wrist wrap. As a pocket accent for a jacket. Wrapped around a purse's handle or tied through one of the handle loops. Tie it around a straw hat.

UNDERCOVER WORK: If you can't bring yourself to engage in a public lace display, treat yourself to lacy lingerie stocked for Valentine's Day. It may not be the most practical undergarment, but that's not the point. It's all about the frou.

Sharon Fink can be reached at 727 893-8525 and fink@sptimes.com

[Last modified January 28, 2006, 01:37:10]