The prettiest layer of the moment has a zip, a hood and a whole lot of lace.

Quick answer: Lace has moved off the dress and onto the jacket. The best lace jackets right now come from Valentino, Chloé, Cecilie Bahnsen, Ulla Johnson and Scanlan Theodore, with sporty lace bombers from Motto and Mint Velvet. Shop all 11 below, from highest to lowest price, all in AUD.

Why is lace suddenly on every jacket?

For years lace lived on slip dresses and lingerie. Now it is on the jacket, and it looks more interesting there.

Cecilie Bahnsen put it on a hooded drawstring jacket. Valentino trimmed a corded lace cardigan with feathers. Chloé ran it along the hem of a cropped evening jacket. Further down the price scale, Motto zipped it into a sporty bomber with ribbed cuffs and a gold zip.

Romantic fabric. Practical shape. That is the whole appeal.

Romantic fabric, practical shape. That is the whole appeal.

Key takeaways

• Lace jackets mix two opposites, romantic and sporty, and that tension is exactly why they look so good.
• Look for one strong detail: a hood, a funnel neck, feather cuffs or a lace hem.
• Keep everything underneath simple. A tank, straight jeans or a slip skirt lets the lace do the work.
• There is a lace jacket at every price, from Valentino at $5,120 to Motto at $229.95.

How do you style a lace jacket?

• Go tonal. Black lace over black, or chocolate lace over brown satin, looks expensive in seconds.
• Add denim. A lace jacket with straight-leg jeans is the easiest way to wear it in the day.
• Layer over a slip. Lace over satin for dinner. Instant evening.
• Show a little skin. Sheer lace over a bralette or fine tank is the editor way to wear it.
• Keep the shoe sharp. A pointed pump or a knee boot keeps all that softness grown up.

Shop the lace jacket edit

11 lace jackets, listed from highest to lowest price. Tap any image or name to shop. All prices in AUD, converted where the brand sells in another currency.

Designer

Valentino Garavani, Feather-Trimmed Cotton Corded Lace Cardigan, black, $5,120 AUD: sheer corded lace, braided buttons and feathers at the cuffs. The most glamorous thing you could throw over a slip skirt.

Chloé, Lace-Embroidered Wool Evening Jacket, black, $3,820 AUD: a cropped, collarless jacket in wool grain de poudre with a deep lace hem. Polished on top, pretty at the edges.

Cecilie Bahnsen, Shila Hooded Drawstring Floral-Lace Jacket, grey, $2,395 AUD: airy floral lace, a soft hood, voluminous drawstring sleeves and flower toggles. The lace hoodie, made couture.

Ulla Johnson, Talia Lace Cardigan, noir, approx $1,200 AUD (US$790): fine merino with floral embroidery hand-inlaid over Chantilly lace. Button it up and wear it as a top.

Scanlan Theodore, Lace Funnel Neck Jacket, dark chocolate, $850 AUD: chocolate lace, a funnel neck, a front zip and a silk lining. Quietly the chicest jacket in the edit.

High street

Mint Velvet, Burgundy Embroidered Lace Bomber Jacket, burgundy, approx $286 AUD (£140): a burgundy lace bomber with a funnel neck. Wear it with a satin skirt in the same shade.

Motto, Ivory Euro Laced Hooded Jacket, ivory, $249.95 AUD: raglan sleeves, a lace-edged hood, a gold zip and a ribbed hem. Fully lined, so it is as easy to wear as it is pretty.

Motto, Blue Lace Bomber Jacket, blue, $229.95 AUD: blue lace with denim-look trims, a gold zip, gold toggles and sport tape down the sleeves. The lace bomber, done exactly right.

Motto, Black Lace Bomber Jacket, black, $229.95 AUD: black lace, denim-look trims and gold toggles. Throw it over a slip dress and you are done.

Motto, Ecru Lace Zip Jacket, ecru, $229.95 AUD: sheer floral lace with athletic ribbed trims and a zip front. Looks great over everything from a tank to a slip dress.

Motto, Black Lace Zip Jacket, black, $229.95 AUD: floral lace and sporty ribbed trims in a relaxed black zip-up. Delicate and tough in one jacket.

The final word

Lace used to be the thing you wore underneath. Now it is the jacket everyone notices.

Pick your lace, keep the rest simple and let it do the talking.

FAQs

What is a lace jacket?

A lace jacket is a jacket, bomber or cardigan made from lace, or finished with lace panels, hems or trims.

What do you wear under a lace jacket?

A simple tank, a bralette, a fitted tee or a slip dress. Match the tone of the lace for a polished look, or contrast it to show the pattern off.

Can you wear a lace jacket during the day?

Yes. Pair a lace bomber with jeans, a white tee and flat shoes and it reads relaxed, not dressy.

Where can I buy a lace jacket in Australia?

Net-a-Porter ships Valentino, Chloé and Cecilie Bahnsen to Australia in AUD. Scanlan Theodore and Motto are Australian labels, and Ulla Johnson and Mint Velvet ship internationally. Every jacket above links straight to where you can buy it.

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