As Australia slips into the final weeks of summer, a romantic new texture is enjoying its time in the sun: lace.
But if your mind immediately conjures images of your grandmother's wardrobe, rest assured, in 2026, lace is undergoing a rebrand. On international runways, the delicate fabric has returned with a renewed sense of purpose and this spring, it's less about prim femininity and more about contrast: think lace skirts layered over jeans, worn under blazers, or left raw at the hem.
On the Fall Winter 2025 runway at Chloé, lace appeared in ruffles lining silky playsuits, and peering from beneath of knits, in pieces that felt pulled from the pages of a Jane Austen novel, but updated for now with indie sleaze-esque waves and minimal makeup. Creative director Chemena Kamali layered long pendant necklaces over the translucent fabric, for a look that felt windswept, romantic, and unmistakably modern.
Fendi's Spring Summer 2026 collection offered a brighter take, but proved lace's versatility in the process – whether camouflaged amidst floral patterns on slip dresses, or covering 80s-inspired skirt suits entirely.
And over at Ferragamo that same season, lace took on a sultry sensibility, appearing as sheer panelling, punctuating shifts and slips alike.
Brands like Doên have been quick to adopt the trend, with their lace-trimmed silk slip skirts the must-have piece in the wardrobes of it-Girls in the Northern Hemisphere these past few months. Elsewhere My Mum Made It, Reformation, and With Jean have also made lace part of their seasonal vocabulary, proving that the fabric once confined to vintage heirlooms is now very much in the everyday mix.
With spring well and truly here, and warmer weather just on the horizon, there's no time like the present to split into something lacey. Below, shop the RUSSH edit of all things lace worth investing in for the latter half of 2025.
DÔEN Lucine lace-trimmed silk-satin blouse
ACNE STUDIOS Doyla lace-trimmed midi dress
My Mum Made It Lucienne Cotton Blouse and Lucienne Cotton Shorts
ISABEL MARANT Hizene cotton-guipure lace mini dress
COPERNI Lace Flower Gown
REFORMATION Fern Satin Shorts
NEOUS Kalliope lace and leather-trimmed crepe de chine sandals
REFORMATION Adriano Lace Knit Top and Mirabelle Knit Skirt
ROLLA'S Edith Lace Slip Dress
MAISON ESSENTIELE Lace Top
CHRISTOPHER ESBER Delphin Lace Rib Cami Dress
FREE PEOPLE In This Groove Mini Slip Dress
BUCI Daisy Skirt
STELLA MCCARTNEY Red Lace Dress
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