Prompt:
Full body fashion photography. A Japanese woman wearing a long beige wool coat open. Inside, she wears a black sheer lace top layered over a beige camisole, paired with wide-leg white trousers. Minimalist and sophisticated styling. Studio lighting, neutral background.
Prompt:
Close-up detail shot of fabrics textures. Heavy textured white cable knit wool contrasted with fine, intricate white floral lace fabric. The lighting emphasizes the softness of the wool and the transparency of the lace. dreamy and ethereal atmosphere.
Prompt:
Cinematic fashion shot of a stylish Japanese woman in Tokyo winter street. She is wearing a chunky oversized charcoal grey knit sweater. Delicate black sheer lace fabric is peeking out from the cuffs and the high neck collar. She wears silver hoop earrings. Soft winter sunlight, bokeh background of city streets. High fashion magazine style.
Prompt:
Street snap style. A Japanese woman walking. She is wearing a midi-length satin skirt, and over the skirt, she has layered a sheer lace wrap skirt in a matching navy blue tone. She wears black leather boots and a heavy leather jacket. Edgy yet feminine mix.
Prompt:
Portrait shot in a cafe. A Japanese woman drinking coffee. She wears a black V-neck cardigan buttoned up, with a high-neck white lace top showing prominently at the neckline. Elegant accessories, warm indoor lighting.
As the temperatures drop and we instinctively reach for our heaviest wool coats and thermal layers, a surprising counter-trend has emerged on the runways for the 2025-26 winter season. We are seeing a delightful paradox: the marriage of heavy, protective winter fabrics with the delicate, ethereal vulnerability of sheer lace.
Full-body fashion photography of a Japanese woman wearing a long beige wool coat open, revealing a black sheer lace top layered over a beige camisole.
Prompt:
Full body fashion photography. A Japanese woman wearing a long beige wool coat open. Inside, she wears a black sheer lace top layered over a beige camisole, paired with wide-leg white trousers. Minimalist and sophisticated styling. Studio lighting, neutral background.
For the adult woman, the concept of “showing skin” in winter can feel daunting, or even contradictory. However, this season’s approach isn’t about exposure; it is about texture. It is about the sophisticated interplay between the opaque and the transparent. By strategically layering sheer lace, we can alleviate the “heaviness” that often plagues winter coordinates, adding a breath of fresh air and a touch of sensual elegance to our daily wardrobe.
Let’s dive into how you can master this “旬顔” (trendy look) layering technique without sacrificing warmth or refinement.
Why Sheer Lace? The Texture Shift of 2025
In previous seasons, we saw a lot of “Corpcore” and utilitarian aesthetics. While structure remains important, the 2025-26 winter trend forecast predicts a shift toward “Soft Power.” Designers are softening rigid silhouettes with romantic materials. Lace, specifically, serves as the perfect bridge.
Close-up photo focusing on fabric textures, showing the contrast between heavy white cable knit wool and delicate, intricate white floral lace fabric.
Prompt:
Close-up detail shot of fabrics textures. Heavy textured white cable knit wool contrasted with fine, intricate white floral lace fabric. The lighting emphasizes the softness of the wool and the transparency of the lace. dreamy and ethereal atmosphere.
The key difference this year is the contrast. We aren’t wearing lace as a standalone summer piece. We are using it as a “spice” to break up the monotony of knits, wool, and leather. It creates depth in an outfit that flat fabrics simply cannot achieve.
Technique 1: The “Peek-a-Boo” Neckline (Beginner Level)
If you are new to the sheer trend, the easiest entry point is the neckline. This technique adds immediate sophistication to your existing wardrobe basics.
The Lace Turtleneck
A stylish Japanese woman standing on a Tokyo street corner, wearing a chunky charcoal grey knit sweater with delicate black see-through lace peeking out.
Prompt:
Cinematic fashion shot of a stylish Japanese woman in Tokyo winter street. She is wearing a chunky oversized charcoal grey knit sweater. Delicate black sheer lace fabric is peeking out from the cuffs and the high neck collar. She wears silver hoop earrings. Soft winter sunlight, bokeh background of city streets. High fashion magazine style.
Invest in a high-quality, sheer lace turtleneck or high-neck top. This item is the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of winter layering. Wear it underneath your chunky cable-knit sweaters or oversized sweatshirts.
The Look: Let the lace collar stand up and peek out from the crew neck of your knitwear.
The Cuff: Don’t forget to pull the lace sleeves down so they extend beyond the cuffs of your sweater. This creates a cohesive, intentional look.
Color Match: For a subtle look, match the lace color to your knit (e.g., grey on grey). For a bolder statement, use white lace under a dark navy or black sweater to brighten your face.
Portrait shot in a cafe of a Japanese woman drinking coffee, wearing a buttoned-up black V-neck cardigan with a high-neck white lace top.
Prompt:
Portrait shot in a cafe. A Japanese woman drinking coffee. She wears a black V-neck cardigan buttoned up, with a high-neck white lace top showing prominently at the neckline. Elegant accessories, warm indoor lighting.
Softening the Blazer
For office settings, a structured blazer can sometimes feel too stiff or masculine. By swapping your standard cotton shirt for a lace blouse (worn with a camisole underneath, of course), you instantly elevate the look to something more feminine and complex. The lace softens the lapels of the jacket, creating a perfect balance of authority and approachability.
Technique 2: Skirt-Over-Pants (Advanced Level)
This is undoubtedly the defining silhouette of the 2025-26 season. The “Skirt-Over-Pants” style has returned, but it has matured significantly since the early 2000s.
Street snap style of a Japanese woman wearing a satin midi skirt layered with a sheer lace wrap skirt in a matching navy blue tone.
Prompt:
Street snap style. A Japanese woman walking. She is wearing a midi-length satin skirt, and over the skirt, she has layered a sheer lace wrap skirt in a matching navy blue tone. She wears black leather boots and a heavy leather jacket. An edgy yet feminine mix.
Instead of opaque miniskirts, we are seeing long, sheer lace maxi skirts layered over trousers. This offers a fantastic solution for winter styling: you get the romantic sway and silhouette of a skirt, but the warmth and practicality of pants underneath.
How to Style It:
The Base: Start with a pair of slim-straight tailored trousers or even straight-leg denim. Avoid wide-leg pants that are too voluminous, as they can clash with the volume of the skirt.
The Layer: Wear a sheer lace skirt (tulle or organza blends work well too) on top.
The Balance: Since the bottom half is complex, keep your top half simple. A sleek merino wool turtleneck or a cropped jacket works beautifully.
This look is particularly effective because it allows you to wear delicate lace without worrying about tights or bare legs in freezing temperatures.
The New Color Palette: Beyond Black
While black lace is timeless and “sexy,” the 2025-26 mood favors earthy and moody tones that feel warmer and more modern.
Chocolate Brown & Espresso: These shades are replacing black as the new neutral. Brown lace looks incredibly expensive and pairs beautifully with beige, cream, and denim.
Burgundy & Wine: A deep red lace adds a Victorian-inspired gothic romance that is huge this season. It looks stunning paired with grey wool or leather.
Ice Blue & Silver: For a “Winter Queen” aesthetic, icy tones look fresh and crisp, especially when paired with white knits.
Kawasho’s Styling Rules for Adult Lace
To ensure your look remains elegant (“jouhin”) rather than cheap, keep these three rules in mind:
1. Material Contrast is King
Never pair lace with cheap, shiny synthetic fabrics. Lace needs to be grounded by substantial, matte textures like wool, cashmere, leather, or denim. The rougher the opposing fabric, the more delicate and expensive the lace will look.
2. Mind the Innerwear
Nothing ruins a sheer look faster than unintentional undergarments.
For Tops: Use a camisole that matches your skin tone for a “nude” look, or matches the top for a solid look. Avoid tank tops with thick straps; spaghetti straps look more refined.
For Bottoms: If wearing a lace skirt over pants, ensure the waistband of the pants is clean and flat so it doesn’t create bulk under the skirt.
3. Don’t Overdo It
Limit the sheer element to one part of your body. If your top is sheer lace, keep your bottoms opaque and structured. If you are doing the lace-skirt-over-pants look, keep your top solid. Balance is the secret to adult sophistication.
Summary
The “Sheer Lace” trend for Winter 2025-26 is an invitation to play with fashion again. It challenges us to break free from the heavy, monochromatic blocks of winter clothing and introduce lightness, movement, and texture. Whether you start small with a lace cuff peeking out from a sweater, or go bold with a lace-over-denim ensemble, this trend allows you to express your femininity and style acumen even in the coldest months.
Stay warm, stay stylish, and enjoy the art of layering this season.