Romance Isn't Over—At Least, That's What Fall's Leading Trend Suggests.

      After a lengthy period dominated by stark minimalism and precise tailoring in fashion, romance is making a significant comeback. Softer silhouettes and feminine details are currently omnipresent, with one particular trend paving the way for the return of romantic fashion in 2025: lace. On the fall/winter 2025 runways, designers showcased this delicate fabric through fluid sheer lace maxi dresses and meticulously finished slip skirts with lace trims. The lace looks of fall strike a balance between dark and moody and soft and sensual, taking what is often viewed as an outdated fabric into a fresh, modern setting.

      At Chloé, designer Chemena Kamali presented sweeping sheer lace maxi dresses, enhanced with her signature laid-back style through long pendant necklaces, minimal makeup, and relaxed beachy waves, creating a counterpoint to the formal connotations of lace. In contrast, Silvia Venturini Fendi embraced a more refined and sophisticated take on lace, featuring pencil skirts and knee-length lace-trimmed dresses tucked into luxurious fur coats. Other designers, including Saint Laurent and Alberta Ferretti, incorporated lace trims on sweeping maxi dresses—a detail already shaping the most sought-after dresses and skirts for this spring and summer—as well as sheer lace trousers from Stella McCartney.

      It is evident that these lace interpretations are anything but conventional. Explore how the fall 2025 runways are redefining this romantic fabric and check out our curated selection of lace dresses, tops, skirts, and more.

      Irish designer Seán McGirr is confidently stepping into his role as the head of McQueen. This season's collection maintained the house's signature tailoring while infusing it with a sense of extravagance and opulence that pays tribute to Alexander McQueen's legacy. The collection featured a series of dramatic gowns, including a sheer lace piece worn by Alex Consani, layered over minimal undergarments and paired with tough lace-up boots instead of polished pumps. Lace made further appearances through lace tights that peeked from beneath pencil skirts and sculptural blazers paired with high-neck lace blouses.

      Three seasons in, and Chemena Kamali has turned Chloé into a buzzworthy label, captivating the fashion crowd with every detail on her runways. For fall, she presents the modern bohemian woman embracing her softer side, showcasing ethereal dresses of delicate lace and ruffles alongside sheer silhouettes and multitiered hems. Lace was abundant on this runway, appearing on the hem of a blush-skirt, harmoniously paired with pastel silk, and in tiered ruffled maxi dresses finished with scalloped edges.

      Fendi also showcased a significant array of lace looks, but Silvia Venturini Fendi's vision was rooted in maturity and confidence rather than fragility. The collection featured glamorous and affluent designs that embodied the essence of a Milanese sciura. Lace pencil skirts were elegantly matched with high-neck lace blouses, fur stoles, and lace-trimmed slips that peeked from beneath satin dresses, creating a sophisticated silhouette over stockings and polished pumps.

      Saint Laurent delivered a more edgy interpretation of lace, oozing sex appeal effortlessly. While much of the fall collection featured bright colors, the latter part of the runway showcased sweeping ball skirts styled with leather bomber jackets or lace-trimmed tanks, establishing an aura of relaxed luxury.

      In Chanel's fall collection, staged shortly after Matthieu Blazy's appointment as creative director, the Collection Studio delivered looks filled with Coco Chanel's classic elements of bows, ribbons, and pearls, resulting in a more demure approach to lace compared to the broader seasonal trends. Look 63 showcased a long cardigan dress crafted from intricate black lace and accented with velvet trim and ankle boots.

      Alberta Ferretti's fall collection presented a lace-trimmed gown that strikes a perfect balance between innocence and allure: a fluid bias-cut satin gown featuring a deep V neckline complemented by a sheer lace panel, exemplifying that when executed well, less can often be more.

      As designers across the spectrum add their unique interpretations to lace, Maximilian Davis at Ferragamo stood out with his lace paneling on a simple sheer knee-length dress, showcasing originality true to his essence.

      The overarching lesson from the fall collections is that a subtle touch of romantic lace can elevate an outfit. At Nina Ricci, a discreet lace panel peeked from a sumptuous purple velvet jacket, demonstrating the successful blend of textures.

      While many lace looks were presented in dark tones like black, deep brown, and soft white, Gucci’s collection featured a distinctive color palette of pastel shades, including bubblegum pink, lilac, and butter yellow, showcased in lace-paneled silk dresses and lace-trimmed slip dresses.

      Finally, Stella McCartney transformed lace from its traditional romantic context into something contemporary: lace leggings (or perhaps trousers). These unique lace bottoms mark an evolution of lace tights and Capri pants seen recently, styled with a matching belted jacket in a tonal olive green—a trend sure to reemit in