A good black lace top earns its place by being a bit more than pretty. The lace itself needs weight, not the flimsy sort that goes see through under office lighting and leaves you tugging at the hem all day. Look for a proper scalloped edge, a lining that sits where it should, and stitching that holds when you actually move in it, not just when it’s hanging on a rail looking innocent. I learned that one the hard way with a top from a market stall that survived exactly one dance floor before a seam gave up entirely, my friend Priya still brings it up whenever black lace comes up in conversation.
The best ones do double duty. Worn on their own with tailored trousers and heeled boots, a black lace top reads as proper evening dressing, no other effort required.
Thrown under a sharp blazer with the sleeves pushed up, it turns into something you could wear to a dinner that starts as work and ends up somewhere else entirely. And tucked into straight leg jeans with gold jewellery and a good coat, it stops being a going out top altogether and just becomes a top you happen to own, which is honestly the higher compliment.
Fit matters more than pattern here. A fitted lace top under an open shirt or a slouchy blazer looks considered rather than costumey. A looser, more romantic shape wants a slip skirt or wide leg trousers so the whole thing doesn’t tip into fancy dress. Long sleeves take it into cooler months without a coat doing all the work, sleeveless versions are made for layering under something structured.
Occasion wise, this is the top that solves the “I don’t know what to wear” problem for anything after 6pm. Birthday dinners, weddings where you’re not sure how dressed up is too dressed up, a work drinks that might turn into an actual night out, all of it. It photographs well without looking like it’s trying, and it survives sitting down at a restaurant table for three hours, which is more than I can say for half the going out tops I’ve ever owned. The trick is treating it like a proper piece of clothing rather than a novelty, buy it with the same care you’d give a good shirt, and it will outlast several nights out and several bad decisions about everything else you wore with it.
Top Picks
BLACK LACE TOPGLAM AND GLORIA, LLCCropped Black Lace Blouse Top - S / Black
$19.90 GLAM AND GLORIA, LLC
BLACK LACE TOPANTHROPOLOGIE (US)Silky Lace-Trim Tank Top
$78.05
$49.95 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)
BLACK LACE TOPZLIKE HAIRStraight Wig With Bangs Natural Color Straight Glueless Top Lace Human Hair Wigs - straight / 180%
$104.90 ZLIKE HAIR
ZLIKE HAIRZlike Boho Braids Water Wave Glueless Closure Lace with Braided Top Human Hair Wigs Pre-Cut Lace - 5x5 Lace (Top Braids) / Brown Highlight
$233.11 ZLIKE HAIR
DAILY SALE, INC.Women Fashion Black Lace Top Long Sleeve Elegant Casual Sweatshirt Blouse
$35.00 DAILY SALE, INC.
ZLIKE HAIRZlike Water Wave Boho Braids Glueless Pre-Cut Lace Front Long Wigs Human Hair Wigs With Braided Top - 5x5 Lace (Top Braids) / Brown Highlight
$233.11 ZLIKE HAIR
ZLIKE HAIRZlike Boho Braids Water Wave Glueless Closure Lace with Braided Top Human Hair Wigs Pre-Cut Lace - 5x5 Lace (Top Braids) / Natural Black🔥
$195.63 ZLIKE HAIR
HARVEY NICHOLS USRabanne Floral Stretch-lace top - Black - 38 (UK10 / S)
$901.61 HARVEY NICHOLS US
MEMOINatori Feathers Lace Top Tights - X-Large / Black
$32.00 MEMOI
SHOEMALL.COMTimberland Retro Swift High Top Lace-Up Sneaker Women's Black Sneaker 8.5
$65.97 SHOEMALL.COM
PLANET BLUE CORPElegant Moments 30069 Lace Cami Top Set - L / Black
$39.60 PLANET BLUE CORP
CRONJAGERMOTHER'S LOVE - Lace Layered Cap Sleeve Top Black
$39.00 CRONJAGER
ZLIKE HAIRZlike Boho Braids Water Wave Glueless Closure Lace with Braided Top Human Hair Wigs Pre-Cut Lace - 13x6 Lace (Top Braids) / Brown Highlight / 14 (Bob)
$155.71 ZLIKE HAIR
GLAM AND GLORIA, LLCFaux Leather Bralette Top with Lace Trim - M / Black
$29.90 GLAM AND GLORIA, LLC
ZEAGOOZeagoo Satin Camisole for Women 2 PCS Lace Tank Top - Black+green / S(4)
$28.62 ZEAGOO
ZEAGOOZeagoo Satin Camisole for Women 2 PCS Lace Tank Top - Black+white / S(4)
$28.62 ZEAGOO
HARVEY NICHOLS USFree People Adella Crochet-lace top - Black
$77.28 HARVEY NICHOLS US
ZLIKE HAIRPut On And Go Glueless Body Wave With Bangs Top Lace Wig 100% Human Hair Wigs - boby wave / 180%
$164.27 ZLIKE HAIR
EGO (US & CA)Long Sleeve Shoulder Pad Detail Crop Top In Black Lace, Women's Size US
$37.00 EGO (US & CA)
CERQULARDIESEL High Top Mens Trainers Black & Red Synthetic UK 7 Casual Zip Lace
$29.89 CERQULAR
HARVEY NICHOLS USFree People Ilektra Crochet-lace bra top - Black
$38.64 HARVEY NICHOLS US
THE LUXURY CLOSETCharo Ruiz Black Lace Sheer Dana Top
$260.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
REBECCA TAYLORIdun Lace Top
$360.00 REBECCA TAYLOR
THE LUXURY CLOSETThe Attico Black Jersey Lace Up Tank Top
$222.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
RENT THE RUNWAYRabanne Lace Crop Top Black
$135.00 RENT THE RUNWAY
THE LUXURY CLOSETAlice + Olivia Black Jersey Lace Trim Crop Top
$163.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
WHITE FOX BOUTIQUE USQueen Of Hearts Long Sleeve Lace Trimmed Top Black
$49.99 WHITE FOX BOUTIQUE US
MEMOIWomen's Simply Bare Floral Lace Top Thigh High Tights - L/XL / Honey
$17.50 MEMOI
MEMOIWomen's Organic Cotton Seamless Rib Lace Long Sleeve Top - M / Black
$46.00 MEMOI
EGO (US & CA)Bandeau Structured Detail Corset Top In Black Lace, Women's Size US
$32.00 EGO (US & CA)
ZLIKE HAIRStraight Wig With Bangs Natural Color Straight Glueless Top Lace Human Hair Wigs - straight / 180%
$104.90 ZLIKE HAIR
DAILY SALE, INC.Women's Long Sleeve Lace Patchwork V Neck Top - Black / XXXXXL
$29.00 DAILY SALE, INC.
W CONCEPT (US)EYELET GARDEN LACE TOP [BLACK]
$128.00 W CONCEPT (US)
W CONCEPT (US)Built-in Cap Lace Inner Sleeveless Top
$44.00 W CONCEPT (US)
ZLIKE HAIRZlike Water Wave Boho Braids Glueless Pre-Cut Lace Front Long Wigs Human Hair Wigs With Braided Top - 13x6 Lace (Top Braids) / Natural Black🔥
$172.11 ZLIKE HAIR
EGO (US & CA)Bandeau Structured Corset Top With Lace Sleeves In Chocolate Brown Satin, Women's Size US
$33.00 EGO (US & CA)
HELLO MOLLY (US)New Standard Lace Crop Top Black
$89.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)
SELDOM SEEN STYLESWomen's V-Neck Lace Crochet Beach Cover Up Sheer Boho Swimsuit Coverup Summer Vacation Bikini Top
$34.99 SELDOM SEEN STYLES
GLAM AND GLORIA, LLCCropped Black Lace Blouse Top - S / Black
$19.90 GLAM AND GLORIA, LLC
SHOPBOPLE BOP Ella Lace Tank Top Black
$108.00 SHOPBOP
SPIRAL DIRECT USCORPSE BRIDE - GLOW IN THE DARK - Lace Layered Cap Sleeve Top Black
$29.99 SPIRAL DIRECT US
INTIMISSIMIIntimissimi Modal Ultralight Cashmere Blend Top with Lace Woman Black
$55.00 INTIMISSIMI
INTIMISSIMIIntimissimi Lace and Silk Top Woman Black
$85.00 INTIMISSIMI
HARVEY NICHOLS USReformation Teddy Lace-trim Silk Camisole top - Black - M (UK12 / M)
$167.44 HARVEY NICHOLS US
BLUEBELLA USBluebella Back Seam Leg/Lace Top Stockings Black
$26.00 BLUEBELLA US
HARVEY NICHOLS USRabanne Floral Lace top - Black - 38 (UK10 / S)
$592.48 HARVEY NICHOLS US
WHITE FOX BOUTIQUE USAlways Stay Embellished Lace Long Sleeve Top Black
$64.99 WHITE FOX BOUTIQUE US
−36%
ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)Silky Lace-Trim Tank Top$78.05
$49.95 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)
−52%
ANN TAYLORAnn Taylor Scalloped Lace Top$118.73
$56.99 ANN TAYLOR
−60%
SHOPBOPVeronica Beard Jean Nate Lace Top Black$268.00
$107.20 SHOPBOP
−50%
REBECCA MINKOFF USRebecca Minkoff Cara Lace Short Sleeve Dress Top$250.00
$125.00 REBECCA MINKOFF US
−50%
HARVEY NICHOLS USRabanne Floral Stretch-guipure Lace Crop top - Black - 36 (UK8 / S)$515.20
$257.60 HARVEY NICHOLS US
−30%
SHOPBOPALICE + OLIVIA Alessia Lace Ruffle Top Black$395.00
$276.50 SHOPBOP
![EYELET GARDEN LACE TOP [BLACK]](https://images2.productserve.com/?w=200&h=200&bg=white&trim=5&t=letterbox&url=ssl%3Acdn.wconcept.com%2Fproducts%2F7200754%2F14%2F720075414_1.jpg&feedId=21675&k=7d76fab1067e762b8451461a2a908d4f85dcf823)
