You know when you were seventeen and trying to sneak past the bouncers at your local pub on a Saturday night*, did you have a failsafe outfit/piece of clothing? The various items in my group of friends’ favoured apparel included:

  • A long, grey, faux fur jacket (guaranteed to make you look at least five years older).
  • A fuschia-pink knee length skirt from Morgan in a snakeskin print with matching boob-tube. Yikes. However it WAS the 90’s.
  • Black rimmed glasses. Even though none of us had poor eyesight. The things we did!

And my best mate’s go-to top was always a little white lacy number. I think she has grown out of her love of lace and passed it on to me, because when I’m clothes shopping I am always drawn to pretty white lace dresses and tops. Now this may also be because I’m not yet married and haven’t had the chance to wear the ultimate white lacy dress. (Hint hint, Rich)…

I know that some lacy clothes can have a tendency to look a bit cheap and tacky but when I spotted this ‘Pretty Lace Top’ (yes that’s actually its name) in Next I was sold. The lace is nice and thick, so it washes well, and the shape is extremely flattering. It’s got little puff sleeves and even disguises the mum-tum. Plus it is so versatile. It’s the ultimate day-to-night and summer-to-autumn piece. I’ve worn mine with jeans during the day, tailored black trousers when I want to look smart, and under a denim pinafore dress on a rare date night with Rich. I reckon it would also look good with leather trousers. And if white isn’t your bag, it also comes in grey.

In the name of research I’ve hunted down a couple more pretty, delicate items of the lace variety.

White Lace

This Asos top is similar to mine apart from it’s a little more risqué as it’s only partially lined. If I could get away with going bra-less it would be in my virtual shopping basket right now. Of a similar style is this Victorian blouse from La Redoute – I’m loving the high neck. It’s also available in a gorgeous terracotta hue. And the fine black detailing and bow on this Topshop number is so on point.

Colourful Lace

The deep, rich, berry tones that are synonymous with autumn are all over the high street, my favourite lacy items being this Zara jumpsuit in ‘aubergine’ and this Boden dress in ‘emerald’. This sleeveless ruffle top from Topshop would look fab under a blazer – and it’s a very reasonable £24 – and this Zara dress is just stunning.

Is anyone else drawn to a certain fabric/style/colour of clothing? And I genuinely would love to hear what you wore out on a Saturday night back in the day…

*I am not condoning under-age drinking in any way. In fact it’s probably the reason why my memory is so terrible.

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Header images includes lace top from Next, jeans from Topshop, pinafore dress from Topshop (old but find similar here), and boots from New Look (old but find similar here).