Lace Dresses

WHY WE LOVE THEM

Lace dresses are often either conservative or coquettish, but these strike a lovely balance. Think Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (can’t you see her in the green one?), not the Queen Mother. Playful colors counter the naughtiness of the lace, creating a sexy attitude that’s anything but stodgy.

HOW TO WEAR THEM
You have to be careful here—lace can get cheap-looking quickly. Choose high-quality material, and pair vibrant hues with shoes in the same color family or in a metallic. Wear hair loose to keep the overall look easy- going and fun.

Photos: (left to right) Vera Wang, Burberry Prorsum, Alberta Ferretti, Roberto Cavalli

Silk, $98; loft.com for stores.

Lace, $396; aliceandolivia.com for stores.

Lace and silk organza, $493; yoanabaraschi.com for stores.

Lace and cotton, $1,350; neimanmarcus.com for stores.