Africa has produced some of the most stunning lace fabrics for women’s clothing. Sites like eBay, Etsy and Pinterest have pages and pages dedicated to unique African lace prints and patterns that are vibrant and often handcrafted. Lace can be fragile and can tear easily, but African lace is typically high quality, making it perfect for important events such as weddings. Here are some ideas that mix a little of the old with a lot of the new: 12 African lace styles perfect for weddings.
Full bodice
This full-length gown with a slim train is perfect for a curvy figure. The slightly belled sleeves make the arms look slender and the sparkly brooch is the perfect thing to make it more youthful.
That bright blue is perfect for the spring. The sweetheart neckline becomes romantic with the unhemmed flowery lace. The bright head wrap and belt are the perfect accessories to make the outfit pop.
We love the translucent sleeves with occasional patches of laced flowers and the way the lace layer separates from the green fabric on the skirt, so the lace can swish with the wearer.
If you are planning a spring wedding these bridesmaid dresses are perfect. They mix the classic, structured hems of the ’50s and ’60s with whimsical lace. We love the jagged lace skirt hems on the dresses.
Lace is the perfect fabric to make the otherwise formal royal blue a bit flirty. We love the semi-detached lace train that flows behind the wearer, and the ultra flattering puffy sleeves.
This subtle lavender color is perfect for nighttime or daytime events. We love the slightly frilled lace around the neckline. The bold clutch was the perfect pairing for the otherwise muted outfit.
This Victorian-meets-modern dress was at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Africa 2014. We love the contrast of the delicate, ruffled lace on the top, and the thick, bold material of the skirt.
Since lace can have a very Victorian-era look, it makes sense with natural colors like sea green. We love the contrast of the romantic top in the middle outfit with the flirtatious skirt.
The looped lace is a bit more youthful than the traditional floral lace, and is perfect for this bold, happy yellow. We love the bell sleeves that don’t have any under-fabric, letting the arms peek through.
We love how Ghanaian fashion company Shik Designs took advantage of lace’s versatility and paired it with bold, bright patterned skirts. The ultra feminine lace with the tribal prints is the perfect contrast.
This sleeveless frock could be for a daytime picnic, but the belled top makes it formal enough for evening wear. We love the paisley mixed in with the floral lace, and the bell-train is so flattering.
This dress features transparent lace that allows the hot pink fabric underneath to come through, but the lace makes it a little more subdued and romantic. The low-backline that features just the white lace is seductive and elegant.