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If the word lace conjures up images of your granny’s outdated tablecloth, think again! Lace is back! This is the third post in a series that is inspired by the InStyle article 5 Ways to Wake Up Your Work Wardrobe and explores how each trend is influencing fashion and furniture.

InStyle knows the trick to wearing and/or decorating with lace:  Try a touch of Lace. Because it’s a classic, lace plays quite well with conservative clothes. For best results, limit yourself to one piece per look, and choose lined items (or layer with a slip or cami) to avoid showing too much skin.

Earlier this year, I bought a lace-patterned suit at Talbots, but at the time, I didn’t even think of it as lace. Honestly, I’ve never been a big fan of traditional lace. That’s what’s so great about this trend this time around — there’s so much more variety. As much as I loved my new suit, it felt like too much for most business meetings and client events.

Enter InStyle’s advice. One piece per look. The suit is lovely, but I’m getting more wear out of it by separating the pieces. I wore the skirt to furniture market in October with a dark navy background, floral blouse from Anthropologie, bare legs (since it was quite warm) and a pair of moss green leather shoes with wooden heels. Inspired by the outfit in the lower right of the InStyle page shown above, I also  bought a black turtleneck from J. Jill (a more affordable option to jmclaughlin.com) to wear with the skirt, and I plan to add black tights and black suede, strappy Mary Jane heels.

How does the lace trend work in furniture? The Drexel Heritage (client) product design team says there has been a return to things that are hand-crafted or have a hand-crafted look. I noticed visitors to the Drexel showroom touching the chair in the photograph because it looks like the over-sized doilies sewn onto the fabric, when it is actually part of the upholstery with a smooth texture. If you like this look, you can go with a little or a lot.

Tis the perfect season to add a little lace to your life. I suggest starting with a few basic pieces that can be both dressed up for a festive holiday outfit AND dressed down for office attire. This Banana Republic lace shell easily goes from day to evening, as does this black lace pencil skirt from Anne Taylor. Accessories can make a big difference. I ordered this Bohemian Lace Dress from Garnet Hill that I plan to wear with my great grandma’s crystal necklaces (because sometimes granny’s stuff is hip!) and hose and high heels to a holiday fundraiser. The following week, I’ll layer it on top of leggings, add a scarf and some pretty ankle boots and wear it to the office.

What do you think? Can lace live beyond old curtains and holiday outfits? Let us know how you are incorporating lace into your wardrobe and your home decor.