Lace Cami Tops: How to Wear a Lace Camisole Now

A lace cami is a camisole with fine straps and a band of lace at the neckline, and it is a simple way to soften a blazer, a shirt and a V-neck jumper this winter. The new ME+EM Lace Trim Cami Top in Black ($260) and its Light Cream twin ($260) were designed for exactly that, and you can see the rest of the label’s current edit on our ME+EM page and across all camisoles at Coveti.

This guide covers what to look for in a lace cami, how to wear one in the day and at night, which fabric suits which job, how it should fit, and how to wash it so the lace lasts.

What makes a good lace cami

Three things separate a cami you will wear for years from one that sits in a drawer. The first is the base fabric. Jersey is soft, a little stretchy and easy under knitwear; satin and satin-backed crepe have a sheen that reads as evening. The second is the lace itself: a scalloped eyelash edge looks finished when it peeks out of a collar, while a flat lace band disappears. The third is the strap. A fine strap sits cleanly under a jacket, and an adjustable one lets you set the neckline exactly where you want it.

The new ME+EM lace trim camis

ME+EM calls its new jersey cami a layering hero, and the description is fair. The Lace Trim Cami Top in Black ($260) is cut from an ultra-soft stretch jersey (54% cotton, 41% modal, 5% elastane) with a contrast lace trim along the V-neckline. It sits at mid length, so it tucks into a trouser without bunching. The brand designed it to be left on show under shirts and V-neck knits, which is the most useful way to wear it.

The Lace Trim Cami Top in Light Cream ($260) is the same jersey with a finer lace at the neckline. ME+EM pairs it with crisp masculine shirting to balance the lace, and in our view it is the better colour to start with: cream lace under a navy, chocolate and grey knit is the softer contrast.

For evening there is the Lace Trim Cami Top in Dark Chocolate/Black ($430), cut in satin-backed crepe with black lace at the V-neck and along the straps, in a relaxed fit. Wear it with the matching Lace Trim Maxi Skirt ($570) for a full look that reads as a slip dress, with more freedom.

How to wear a lace cami by day

Under an open shirt. Leave the top two buttons of a poplin shirt undone and let the lace show at the V. This is the look ME+EM shot the Light Cream cami in. A crisp white shirt keeps the lace from feeling like lingerie.

Under a V-neck jumper. A deep V knit such as the Ultimate Boyfriend Jumper in Dark Chocolate Brown ($620) frames the lace perfectly. Pull the lace up a few millimetres above the knit. Our full guide to layering under a jumper covers the same principle with shirts.

Under a knitted vest. Wear the cami as the base and a slim vest on top, with the straps showing at the shoulder. The Lace Trim Slim Knit Vest in Black ($390) repeats the lace detail in brushed cashmere. More on that in our guide to how to wear a knitted vest.

With jeans and a long coat. A black cami, mid-wash jeans and a camel coat is a simple weekend outfit. Add a cardigan buttoned once at the waist when it gets cold.

How to wear a lace cami at night

At night the cami comes into its own. Under a black blazer worn open, the lace neckline replaces a necklace. Our guide to what to wear under a blazer sets out the options. With a satin skirt, a cami makes an easy two-piece for a dinner; see our edit of satin skirts for the shapes that work. For a dress-code event, the cami works under a tuxedo jacket for cocktail attire.

How a lace cami should fit

A cami should lie flat against the chest without gaping at the neckline when you lean forward. The straps should sit in the middle of the shoulder, not slipping to the edge. If you plan to tuck it in, a mid length is enough; if you wear it loose over a skirt, choose a level hem that reaches the hip bone. ME+EM’s jersey cami fits true to size and runs from UK 4 to UK 18 on Coveti. Check our ME+EM size guide if you sit between sizes.

How to care for lace

Turn the cami inside out and wash it cold in a mesh bag, on a delicate cycle, with like colours. Lace snags on zips and hooks, so keep it away from jeans in the drum. Never tumble dry: heat distorts elastane and loosens the lace edge. Dry flat, then press the jersey on a low heat, never the lace. Satin and crepe camis are best hand-washed; follow the care label on each product page.

Lace cami, lace trim top and slip: the difference

A lace cami has thin straps and no sleeves. A lace trim top can have sleeves, a high collar and lace only at the cuffs; we cover those in our guide to lace trim tops. A slip is a full-length dress with the same idea, like the Fit + Flare Maxi Slip Dress in Dark Chocolate Brown ($840), cut on the bias in satin-backed crepe with lace trims.

Frequently asked questions

How do you wear a lace cami without it looking like lingerie?

Pair it with something structured. A crisp shirt, a tailored blazer and a chunky knit all balance the lace. Keep the base fabric matte for daytime, choose a jersey cami, and let only the lace edge show.

Is a lace cami appropriate for the office?

Yes, worn as a layer. Under an open shirt, a V-neck jumper and a blazer, only the lace edge is visible and the look is polished. On its own, a cami is better kept for evenings and weekends.

What colour lace cami should I buy first?

Black is the most versatile with dark tailoring and knitwear. A cream cami is softer under navy, brown and grey, and looks fresher with white shirting. If you wear a lot of black, start with cream for contrast.

What is the ME+EM Lace Trim Cami made of?

The jersey version is 54% cotton, 41% modal and 5% elastane, with a polyamide lace trim. The evening version is satin-backed crepe in triacetate and polyester with polyester lace.

Does the ME+EM lace cami run true to size?

It fits true to size. The jersey has stretch, so choose your usual UK size. Coveti stocks it from UK 4 to UK 18, subject to availability.

How do I stop a lace cami from riding up?

Tuck it into a high trouser waistband and choose a mid-length body. A cami with some elastane in the jersey stays in place better than a pure silk one.