20 Types of Laces and Their Names: Features, Uses, and Identification

Lace is one of the most widely used decorative fabrics in garment manufacturing. It appears in bridal gowns, fashion dresses, lingerie, kidswear, ethnic apparel, collars, cuffs, sleeves, hems, and garment panels.

The global lace market was valued at about USD 1.2 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at around 5% CAGR through 2030. Demand from bridalwear, fashion apparel, and innerwear continues to support this growth across Asia, Europe, and North America.

Bangladesh also has a strong connection with lace use through its export-focused RMG industry. According to BGMEA, the readymade garment sector contributes over 84% of the country’s export earnings and generated more than USD 47 billion in garment exports in FY 2022-23.

Lace selection directly affects garment appearance, comfort, durability, production cost, and bulk order consistency. A lace type that works for bridalwear may not perform well in lingerie or mass fashion production.

This guide covers 20 different types of lace and their names, with details on their features, uses, identification, and applications in garment manufacturing.

1. Chantilly Lace
2. Guipure Lace
3. Alençon Lace
4. Schiffli Lace
5. Chemical Lace
6. Embroidery Lace
7. Raschel Lace
8. Crochet Lace
9. Cotton Lace
10. Polyester Lace
11. Nylon Lace
12. Stretch Lace
13. Tulle Lace
14. Eyelet Lace
15. Broderie Lace
16. Water Soluble Lace
17. Lace Trim
18. Lingerie Lace
19. Eyelash Lace
20. Scallop Edge Lace

1. Chantilly Lace

Chantilly lace is one of the most recognized and widely sourced lace types in the global garment industry. It is named after the French town of Chantilly, where this style of lace was first crafted in the 17th century. Today it is produced at industrial scale while preserving its signature fine net structure and detailed floral motifs.

How to Identify Chantilly Lace

Chantilly lace is identified by its fine hexagonal net base, delicate floral patterns, and the distinctive silky outline threads that trace each design element. The patterns typically feature flowers, leaves, and flowing vines worked on a lightweight, transparent ground.

When you hold Chantilly lace up to the light, the net base remains clearly visible and the design appears almost floating. The outline threads give it a slight raised feel without the heaviness of corded lace. The hand feel is soft and smooth, not stiff. It is commercially dominant in black and ivory, though it is produced across a full range of fashion colorways.

Where Chantilly Lace Is Used in Garments 

Chantilly lace is a top choice for bridalwear, evening gowns, formal dresses, and luxury tops. Its fine, elegant appearance makes it suitable for full-fabric panels in wedding dresses and sheer overlays in formalwear.

It is also widely used in women’s blouses, lingerie overlays, and sleeves where a delicate decorative effect is needed. In export production, Chantilly lace appears frequently in European and North American fashion orders where the product brief calls for a premium lace finish.

Chantilly Lace Bulk Buying Checklist for Garment Factories 

Before ordering Chantilly lace in bulk, verify these points carefully:

• Pattern consistency: The floral design repeat must be uniform across the full roll without distortion or alignment shift between rows.
• Net base integrity: Inspect the hexagonal net for broken threads or thin spots, especially at roll edges where tension is highest.
• Colorfastness: Request dye lot samples and confirm colorfastness ratings before approving the bulk order, as Chantilly lace is prone to shade variation across batches.
• Weight and width: Confirm the fabric weight in grams per square meter (GSM) and usable width against your cutting pattern requirements.
• Shrinkage test: Request a wash test report before bulk production begins, as some Chantilly lace distorts with moisture exposure.

2. Guipure Lace/Venice lace

Guipure lace, also known as Venice lace, is a heavy, structured lace type with no net backing or ground fabric. The design elements connect to each other through woven bars or bridges, giving Guipure lace a bold, three-dimensional appearance. It is one of the most popular lace types for structured dresses, panel applications, and decorative borders in both fashion and formalwear markets.

How to Identify Guipure Lace

Guipure lace is identified by the complete absence of a net or mesh background. The motifs, typically geometric shapes or floral patterns, are joined directly by woven connecting bars rather than a ground fabric.

When you run your fingers across Guipure lace, you feel the distinct raised texture of each design element. It has a noticeably firmer, heavier weight compared to most other lace types. The pattern shows visible spacing between motifs with no ground fabric filling those gaps. It holds its shape well and does not drape as softly as net-based laces.

Where Guipure Lace Is Used in Garments 

Guipure lace is heavily used in structured dress panels, jacket borders, cape overlays, and statement sleeves. Its firm structure means it can carry its own shape without support fabric underneath.

Fashion brands use Guipure lace for co-ord sets, tailored dresses, and high-end separates where bold pattern detail is the design focus. In export markets, Guipure lace is popular for Western fashion orders targeting premium casualwear and eveningwear buyers who want visible texture and structural definition.

Guipure Lace Bulk Buying Checklist for Garment Factories 

• Motif alignment: Check that connecting bars between motifs are even and not twisted across the entire roll.
• Edge finish quality: Inspect roll edges for fraying motifs, as Guipure lace can lose structural integrity at cut edges during production.
• Weight uniformity: Heavy Guipure lace must be consistent in weight across the full roll to avoid tension and alignment problems during cutting and sewing.
• Thread count and density: Denser Guipure construction holds better in garment panels; sparse designs distort during construction and wear.
• Color penetration: Since Guipure is typically piece-dyed, request a cross-section color check to confirm the dye has penetrated all thread layers evenly.

3. Alençon Lace

Alençon lace is one of the oldest and most prestigious lace types in the world, originating from the French town of Alençon in the late 17th century. It is defined by its fine net background and the raised corded outline that traces every design motif. This cord gives Alençon lace a refined, three-dimensional look that is difficult to replicate in lower-cost alternatives.

How to Identify Alençon Lace

The key identifier of Alençon lace is the raised satin cord or outline thread that borders each design motif on a fine net base. This cord is applied by hand in traditional versions but is machine-applied in commercial production.

The net background is typically fine and smooth. The design motifs include flowers, leaves, and classic ornamental forms. When examined closely, the corded outline feels distinct and slightly raised under the fingertip. It has a more formal, structured appearance than Chantilly lace, and the cord gives it a polished, finished look even as raw yardage.

Where Alençon Lace Is Used in Garments 

Alençon lace is a premium choice for bridalwear, formal evening gowns, and high-end formalwear. It is especially popular for wedding dress bodices, where the corded outline adds dimension and catches light in a way that flat lace cannot replicate.

It is also used in luxury tops, formal skirts, and decorative sleeves. Major bridal fashion markets in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East consistently feature Alençon lace in their top-selling product lines, making it a commercially important lace type for export-focused production teams.

Alençon Lace Bulk Buying Checklist for Garment Factories

• Cord uniformity: Inspect the satin cord outline across the roll to confirm it is consistently applied without gaps or irregular tension points.
• Net base pull test: A weak net base will distort during sewing; always perform a pull test on a fabric sample before committing to a bulk order.
• Pattern repeat accuracy: For cut-and-sew production, confirm that the design repeat allows efficient cutting without creating excessive fabric waste.
• Compliance certifications: For export orders, verify OEKO-TEX Standard 100 or REACH compliance where required by the buyer.
• Colorfastness in white and ivory: Any shade deviation is immediately visible on bridal garments; request strict colorway matching before bulk production.

4. Schiffli Lace

Schiffli lace is produced using the Schiffli embroidery machine, a large-scale industrial machine that uses hundreds of needles simultaneously to embroider patterns onto a base fabric or water-soluble backing. It is one of the most versatile and widely produced machine lace types in the garment industry, particularly across South and Southeast Asia.

Where Schiffli Lace Is Used in Garments

Schiffli lace is identified by its uniform, embroidered patterns with consistent stitch density across the full design repeat. The embroidery sits on a visible base fabric or appears as a standalone openwork fabric when the base has been dissolved.

Under close inspection, the reverse side of Schiffli lace shows a dense network of jump threads connecting each motif section. The pattern precision is high because Schiffli machines operate with up to 1,000 or more needles at a time. When produced on a dissolvable base, the finished result resembles Chemical lace. When produced on a net or woven fabric base, it appears as embroidered fabric with visible ground material.

Where Schiffli Lace Is Used in Garments 

Schiffli lace is used extensively in fashion panels, full-width fabric sections, sleeves, and trims. It is particularly common in women’s tops, blouses, kurtis, and occasion dresses across all market tiers.

In South Asia, including Bangladesh and India, Schiffli lace is a standard choice for both domestic fashion production and export garment manufacturing. Its ability to reproduce complex patterns consistently across large yardage rolls makes it ideal for factories running mid to high-volume production.

Schiffli Lace Bulk Buying Checklist for Garment Factories

• Base fabric type: Confirm whether the base is cotton, polyester, net, or dissolvable before ordering, as this directly affects hand feel and finish in the final garment.
• Stitch density specification: Higher stitch density produces a more durable and visually sharp pattern; always request the stitch count specification from your supplier.
• Pattern registration accuracy: Check that the design repeat aligns correctly from panel to panel across the full roll width.
• Minimum order quantity: Schiffli lace is produced in large machine runs; confirm the supplier’s minimum order quantity aligns with your production volume.
• Lead time planning: Custom Schiffli designs require machine setup and programming time; plan sourcing timelines well in advance.

5. Chemical Lace

Chemical lace is produced by embroidering a pattern onto a chemically dissolvable base fabric. After embroidery, the base is dissolved in a chemical bath, leaving only the embroidered design as a standalone lace. This process creates a lightweight, intricate lace with a clean, floating visual character.

How to Identify Chemical Lace

Chemical lace is identified by the complete absence of any ground fabric or net backing. The embroidered design stands alone, held together by connecting stitches and occasional bridging bars between motifs.

The overall appearance is light and delicate. When held up to the light, the open spaces in the design are fully transparent with no background mesh visible at all. The edges of the motifs may show fine thread ends or small connecting bars depending on the design. Chemical lace closely resembles needle lace in appearance but is produced at industrial scale through machine embroidery rather than by hand.

Where Chemical Lace Is Used in Garments

Chemical lace is commonly used as appliqué motifs, decorative patches, and standalone panels sewn onto garments. It adds a luxury visual effect without adding the weight of heavy lace fabric to the garment.

It is popular in fashion tops, evening blouses, wedding dress applications, and decorative sleeve sections. In export production, Chemical lace is often used in small-panel applications where a high-design effect is needed without the cost of full-width premium lace throughout the garment.

Chemical Lace Bulk Buying Checklist for Garment Factories

• Motif stability test: Pull gently at the edges of a motif to check that connecting threads are secure and do not separate under light tension.
• Residue-free confirmation: Confirm that no base material residue remains after dissolution, as residue affects dyeing results and garment performance.
• Cutwork consistency: Inspect the open spaces within the design for uniformity; irregular or uneven openings indicate production quality problems.
• Thread type specification: Rayon thread gives a softer sheen; polyester thread gives stronger durability. Confirm which is used before placing your order.
• Packaging standards: Chemical lace motifs are fragile in transit; confirm that the supplier uses adequate protective packaging for bulk shipments.

6. Embroidery Lace

Embroidery lace is produced by embroidering decorative patterns directly onto fabric or mesh base materials. Unlike Chemical lace, the base fabric remains intact in Embroidery lace and is a visible part of the final product. It is one of the most broadly used lace types in garment production across all market price points.

How to Identify Embroidery Lace

Embroidery lace is identified by a visible base fabric, which may be cotton, polyester, net, or mesh, with a raised embroidered design worked on top. The base fabric is always present and forms an integral part of the finished material.

The design can range from simple repeating florals to complex geometric patterns. The stitching appears on the front face with characteristic jump threads or backing stitches visible on the reverse side. Unlike woven or knitted lace, you can clearly see that the pattern is applied onto the base rather than formed as part of the fabric structure itself.

Where Embroidery Lace Is Used in Garments

Embroidery lace is used across a wide range of garment categories including tops, dresses, kurtis, sleeves, and full fabric panels. Its versatility and range of available price points make it one of the highest-volume lace types in global garment production.

In Bangladesh, Embroidery lace is a core input for women’s fashion garments, especially in export orders for Europe, the United States, and Australia. It is also widely sourced for domestic market fashion and ethnic wear production across the country.

Embroidery  Lace Bulk Buying Checklist for Garment Factories

• Thread anchoring pull test: Test the embroidered thread to confirm stitches are properly locked and will not unravel during washing or extended wear.
• Base fabric weight match: Lighter base fabrics can distort during sewing; confirm the base weight suits your garment’s construction method.
• Color bleed test: Multicolor Embroidery lace must be tested for color bleeding between thread colors before production begins.
• Pattern placement within usable width: Confirm the embroidery design falls within the usable cutting width of the roll and not into the selvedge margin.
• Batch consistency: For bulk orders, request all rolls from the same production batch to ensure color and pattern uniformity throughout.

7. Raschel Lace

Raschel lace is produced on a Raschel warp-knitting machine and is the most widely manufactured machine-made lace type in the global garment industry. It accounts for a dominant share of all synthetic lace used in mass garment production worldwide, making it one of the most commercially important lace inputs for factories running high-volume orders.

How to Identify Raschel Lace

Raschel lace is identified by its knitted structure, where the pattern is formed as an integral part of the fabric rather than embroidered or woven on top. The design elements and the ground fabric are created simultaneously on the machine.

When examined closely, the structure shows a characteristic looped thread construction rather than embroidered stitches. The fabric has a consistent, geometric repeat pattern across its full width. It is lightweight, flexible, and has a slightly mechanical visual character compared to handmade or embroidered lace types. Raschel lace is produced in wide fabric widths, often 150 cm or more, making it highly efficient for large-scale garment cutting operations.

Where Raschel Lace Is Used in Garments 

Raschel lace is the standard choice for lingerie, innerwear, casualwear trims, and budget-to-mid-segment fashion garments. Its production efficiency makes it the most cost-competitive lace option for factories running high-volume orders with tight material cost targets.

In the global lingerie market, which was valued at over USD 100 billion in 2023, Raschel lace is one of the most frequently specified materials by buyers and brands at the mid-market price tier. It is produced in enormous volumes across China, India, and other Asian manufacturing centers and is consistently available in short lead times.

Raschel Lace Bulk Buying Checklist for Garment Factories

• Knit stability test: Confirm the knitted structure does not run or ladder when the edge is cut; a stable selvedge edge is a reliable quality indicator.
• Stretch recovery for lingerie use: Repeatedly stretch and release a sample to confirm no permanent elongation occurs, which is critical for lingerie applications.
• Pattern uniformity across the roll: Inspect the design repeat for machine-line defects, dropped stitches, or density variations that create visible inconsistency in the finished garment.
• Full usable width verification: Confirm that the usable cutting width covers the full specified width and not just the center portion of the roll.
• Fiber composition certificate: Request documented fiber content, especially for export orders requiring accurate customs and care label documentation.

8. Crochet Lace

Crochet lace is produced by interlocking loops of yarn using a crochet hook, either by hand or by specialized crochet machines. It produces a textured, dimensional lace with a distinctly artisanal character. Handmade crochet lace is a traditional craft, while machine-made crochet lace serves industrial production at scale.

How to Identify Crochet Lace

Crochet lace is identified by its looped, interconnected structure where each stitch visibly connects to the next in a chain-like formation. There is no flat woven or net base; the entire fabric is built stitch by stitch from yarn loops.

The texture is noticeably three-dimensional compared to flat embroidered or net-based laces. The loops create a consistent open pattern with clearly visible thread paths running through the design. Machine-made crochet lace has a regular, uniform appearance. Handmade versions show slight variations in stitch tension that give each piece its own character, which is commercially valued in artisan and sustainable fashion segments.

Where Crochet  Lace Is Used in Garments

Crochet lace is widely used in ethnic wear, bohemian-style fashion, beach cover-ups, and handcrafted trim applications. In South Asian garment production, it appears in kurtis, dupattas, blouses, and decorative borders on traditional and ethnic garments.

In export production, crochet lace is popular in boho-style women’s clothing for Western fashion buyers. It also has growing demand in sustainable and handcraft fashion segments, where buyers specifically seek artisanal production methods and natural fiber inputs.

Crochet Lace Bulk Buying Checklist for Garment Factories

• Stitch density consistency: Even small stitch density variations become visible in garment applications; inspect the fabric across the full roll length carefully.
• Yarn fiber content confirmation: Cotton crochet lace behaves differently from acrylic or blended versions in washing and wear; always confirm fiber content for care label accuracy.
• Edge stability check: Crochet lace edges can unravel if not properly finished; inspect the selvedge construction before approving a bulk order.
• Color batch consistency: Crochet lace is produced in yarn-dyed form, and batch color variation is common, especially in handmade production runs.

9. Cotton Lace

Cotton lace is produced from natural cotton yarn and is one of the most preferred lace types for garments where skin comfort, breathability, and natural fiber certification are commercial priorities. It is widely sourced for kidswear, casualwear, and sustainable fashion production.

How to Identify Cotton Lace

Cotton lace is identified by its matte appearance, soft hand feel, and the natural off-white or cream tone of undyed cotton fiber. Unlike synthetic laces, cotton lace does not carry a synthetic sheen or artificial brightness.

A burn test confirms cotton clearly: it burns with an orange flame, produces gray ash, and smells like burning paper. This distinguishes it from polyester or nylon lace, both of which melt and produce chemical odors. Cotton lace is typically heavier per unit area than nylon or polyester at the same design complexity, and it feels noticeably more absorbent against the skin.

Where Crochet  Lace Is Used in Garments

Cotton lace is the top choice for kidswear, baby clothing, women’s casual blouses, summer dresses, and any garment category where a natural fiber label is commercially important. It is also the preferred lace type for OEKO-TEX certified and GOTS-compliant sustainable fashion production lines.

In export production for European and North American markets, buyers increasingly specify cotton lace for organic and eco-friendly product collections. Global demand for organic cotton textiles has grown consistently in recent years, and cotton lace is a direct beneficiary of this shift in buyer preference.

Crochet Lace Bulk Buying Checklist for Garment Factories

• Fiber certification documentation: Request a fiber composition certificate and organic certification (GOTS or equivalent) if required for your export compliance requirements.
• Pre-wash shrinkage test: Cotton lace can shrink by 3% to 8% after washing; always request pre-washed samples before bulk cutting begins.
• Colorfastness rating: Cotton absorbs dye well but can fade with repeated washing; confirm both lightfastness and wash fastness ratings before production.
• Softness across batches: Request physical samples from the actual production batch, as cotton yarn quality and processing affect softness significantly between orders.
• Width and usable yield: Cotton lace is often produced in narrower widths than synthetic alternatives; confirm usable width against your pattern requirements to avoid yield loss.

10. Polyester Lace

Polyester lace is produced from polyester yarn and is one of the most cost-effective and durable lace types available for mass garment production. Its colorfastness, shape retention, and production efficiency make it the dominant lace material at mid-market and value-segment fashion categories globally.

How to Identify Polyester Lace

Polyester lace is identified by its bright, slightly glossy appearance and the crisp, smooth texture of the yarn. It has a noticeably different hand feel compared to cotton lace, with lower absorbency and a more pronounced synthetic sheen.

A burn test confirms polyester quickly: it melts and shrinks from the flame, produces black soot, and creates a hard, plastic-like bead at the burn point. The smell is sharp and chemical, distinctly different from the paper-like smell of cotton. Polyester lace resists wrinkling and holds its pattern shape well even after repeated machine washing.

Where Polyester Lace Is Used in Garments

Polyester lace is used across a wide range of garment categories including fashion dresses, blouses, party wear, and casualwear. It is the default lace material for value-market fashion brands and fast-fashion retailers due to its low cost and consistent availability in large bulk quantities.

In Bangladesh’s RMG sector, polyester lace is among the highest-volume lace inputs for export production, particularly for fashion brands sourcing from North America, Europe, and Australia at competitive wholesale price points.

Polyester Lace Bulk Buying Checklist for Garment Factories

• Denier and weight specification: Polyester lace is produced at various thread deniers; confirm the specification aligns with your garment construction requirements before ordering.
• Wash and rub colorfastness: Request both ratings, especially for deep or bright colors that can transfer to skin or other garment layers in use.
• Anti-static treatment availability: Polyester lace can attract static in dry conditions; for certain garment applications, request anti-static treated options from your supplier.
• REACH compliance confirmation: Many buyers in Europe and North America now require REACH compliance for all synthetic materials; verify this with your supplier.
• Shade uniformity across rolls: Request that bulk orders originate from the same dye bath to avoid visible shade variation between production rolls.

11. Nylon Lace

Nylon lace is produced from nylon (polyamide) yarn and is valued for its smooth texture, lightweight construction, and softness against the skin. It is particularly suited to lingerie, innerwear, and delicate fashion applications where a fine, skin-friendly material is required.

How to Identify Nylon Lace

Nylon lace is identified by its extremely smooth, almost silky feel and its fine, lightweight structure. Compared to polyester lace of similar design, nylon lace has a softer drape and a subtler sheen rather than a high gloss.

A burn test shows that nylon melts slowly, produces a gray-white smoke, and creates a tough, hard bead at the burn point. It carries a faint celery-like or mild plastic smell when burned. Nylon lace typically has a very fine thread gauge, producing a delicate and refined appearance that is difficult to achieve with heavier polyester or natural fiber alternatives.

Where Nylon Lace Is Used in Garments

Nylon lace is the preferred choice for lingerie, bras, panties, nightwear, and any garment that sits directly against the skin. Its smooth surface reduces friction and irritation, making it both the functional and aesthetic choice for innerwear manufacturers.

It is also used in high-end fashion trims, sheer overlays, and occasion wear where a fine, light, and polished lace character is required. The global lingerie industry relies on nylon lace as a primary material across all market tiers, from mass market to luxury, due to its combination of softness, lightweight structure, and design flexibility.

Nylon Lace Bulk Buying Checklist for Garment Factories

• Skin safety testing: For lingerie and innerwear, request an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 test report confirming the material is safe for direct body contact.
• Elasticity assessment: Some nylon lace has natural stretch due to fiber properties; confirm whether any stretch is acceptable or problematic for your specific application.
• Color range availability: Nylon is more difficult to dye uniformly than polyester; confirm required colors are available in bulk without extended production lead times.
• Lightweight handling capability: Nylon lace below 80 GSM requires careful handling during production; confirm your factory’s machinery and operators can manage fine materials.
• Breathability consideration: Nylon is less breathable than cotton; for markets where fabric breathability is a labeling or compliance factor, confirm the specification against your requirements.

12. Stretch Lace

Stretch lace is produced by integrating elastic yarn, typically spandex or elastane, into the lace structure. This gives it the ability to expand under tension and fully recover its original shape when released. The combination of decorative lace pattern and functional stretch makes Stretch lace essential for form-fitting garment categories globally.

How to Identify Stretch Lace

Stretch lace is identified by its visible elasticity when pulled in the width direction or, in four-way stretch versions, in both directions. It returns cleanly to its original form after stretching, unlike regular knitted or woven lace, which would remain distorted.

When stretched, the pattern opens up and becomes less dense; when released, it snaps back completely. The fabric has a soft, elastic feel, similar to a combination of traditional lace and swimwear elastic. The spandex or elastane content in Stretch lace typically ranges from 10% to 30% depending on the required stretch level and end-use application.

Where Stretch Lace Is Used in Garments

Stretch lace is the industry standard for bra bands, lingerie waistbands, panty trim, shapewear edges, and any fitted garment where the lace must conform to body movement without restricting comfort or distorting during wear.

It is also used in activewear-inspired fashion, swimwear overlays, and fitted tops where the design calls for both a visual pattern and functional flexibility. In the global intimate apparel market, Stretch lace is among the highest-volume lace inputs by both weight and commercial value.

Stretch Lace Bulk Buying Checklist for Garment Factories

• Stretch ratio confirmation: Confirm the percentage of stretch (such as 50%, 100%, or 150%) against your garment specification before ordering in bulk.
• Multi-cycle recovery test: Repeatedly stretch and release a sample to confirm that no permanent elongation occurs after extended use.
• Elastane content documentation: Request a fiber composition certificate for export compliance and care label accuracy.
• Heat sensitivity check: Elastane degrades under high heat; confirm the safe ironing temperature before planning production sequences.
• Relaxed width verification: Stretch lace contracts when in its relaxed state; always confirm the relaxed width against your cutting patterns, not the stretched width.

13. Tulle Lace

Tulle lace is produced by embroidering decorative patterns onto a fine tulle or net base fabric. Tulle itself is an extremely lightweight, fine netting material, and when combined with embroidered lace motifs, it creates a soft, airy textile that is a consistent choice in bridal and formal fashion production worldwide.

How to Identify Tulle Lace

Tulle lace is identified by its extremely fine, transparent net base with embroidered designs applied on top. The base is softer and finer than the hexagonal net used in Chantilly lace, giving Tulle lace a more delicate, floating quality.

When held up to the light, the tulle base is nearly invisible, making the embroidered design appear to float with no visible support structure behind it. The hand feel is light and airy, and the embroidered portions carry a slightly raised texture against the flat net. It is most often available in white, ivory, and soft pastel shades, reflecting its primary application in bridal and occasion wear markets.

Where Tulle Lace Is Used in Garments

Tulle lace is used primarily in bridal gowns, veils, formal eveningwear, and prom dresses. It is a common choice for dress overlays, skirt layers, and sleeve sections where a sheer, ethereal visual quality is required.

In fashion segments beyond bridalwear, Tulle lace appears in theatrical costume, luxury fashion overlays, and occasion wear for formal market retailers globally. Its extremely lightweight nature makes it comfortable for layered construction without adding visible bulk or weight to the finished garment.

Tulle Lace Bulk Buying Checklist for Garment Factories

• Net base integrity inspection: Fine tulle tears easily; inspect the base for any pre-existing damage, as defects will create expensive production waste in bulk cutting.
• Embroidery adhesion test: Check that embroidered elements are securely anchored to the tulle base and do not peel or shift when the fabric is handled.
• Color uniformity tolerance: Fine tulle is sensitive to shade variation; confirm all rolls match within a tight, agreed color tolerance before production starts.
• Roll packaging requirement: Tulle lace must be stored and shipped rolled, not folded; permanent crease marks cannot be steamed out of fine tulle in production conditions.
• Yield calculation with margin allowance: Fine tulle lace often has non-usable margins that reduce effective cutting yield; calculate usable yield before confirming your order quantity.

14. Eyelet Lace

Eyelet lace is produced by embroidering patterns of clean, defined holes onto a base fabric to create a decorative openwork effect. Unlike other lace types, the pattern in Eyelet lace is defined primarily by the placement and shape of the punched or embroidered holes rather than by surface thread patterns alone.

How to Identify Eyelet Lace

Eyelet lace is identified by the clean, round or oval holes within the design, each surrounded by tight, smooth satin stitch embroidery that reinforces the edge. The base fabric remains visible and intact between the hole openings.

The holes are typically arranged in repeating floral or geometric patterns. The edge of each hole is reinforced to prevent fraying. Unlike Chemical lace, there is always a visible solid fabric base filling the spaces between the open areas in Eyelet lace. The overall fabric is more opaque than net-based laces and has a structured, textured surface character.

Where Eyelet Lace Is Used in Garments

Eyelet lace is one of the most popular choices for kidswear, baby garments, summer dresses, casual blouses, and beachwear. Its clean, cheerful appearance and natural association with cotton make it a standard input for children’s clothing manufacturers operating in both domestic and export markets.

It is widely sourced for European and North American kidswear export orders where natural fiber, breathable, and safe materials are standard buyer specifications. Eyelet lace is also popular in women’s casualwear and spring-summer fashion collections for both domestic and export production.

Eyelet Lace Bulk Buying Checklist for Garment Factories

• Hole integrity inspection: All punched holes must be clean, round, and free from thread fraying or fabric distortion around the edges.
• Base fabric content confirmation: Confirm whether the base is 100% cotton, a cotton-polyester blend, or synthetic, as this affects certifications and care label accuracy.
• Embroidery lock stitch test: Test the satin stitch border around each hole; poorly anchored stitching will unravel during washing and wear.
• Pre-wash shrinkage check: Cotton Eyelet lace requires a wash shrinkage test before bulk cutting begins to prevent garment size inconsistency.
• Surface pilling tendency: Rub the fabric surface briskly to check for pilling tendencies; pilling is a common quality indicator issue in lower-grade Eyelet lace.

15. Broderie Lace

Broderie lace, derived from the term Broderie Anglaise, is a style of embroidery lace characterized by complex cutwork patterns worked on a base fabric, typically cotton or a cotton blend. It is closely related to Eyelet lace but features more elaborate, continuous cutwork designs and a greater density of embroidered detail within each pattern repeat.

How to Identify Broderie Lace

Broderie lace is identified by its detailed cutwork embroidery on a solid base fabric. The design features intricate patterns of small holes combined with dense embroidered elements using multiple stitch types within a single repeat.

The base fabric is always visible and integral to the design. The surface often combines satin stitch areas with open cutwork sections, creating a rich visual contrast between solid and open areas. The overall appearance is more decorative and detailed than standard Eyelet lace, with a premium visual effect that reflects the greater production effort involved.

Where Eyelet Lace Is Used in Garments

Broderie lace is used in blouses, dresses, children’s wear, and summer fashion categories. Its classic, timeless quality makes it suitable for both fashion-forward garments and more traditionally styled product lines.

It is popular in export production for European fashion markets where heritage-inspired detailing and visible embroidery quality are commercially valued. In domestic South Asian markets, Broderie lace is sourced for women’s blouses and tops where a decorative, handcraft-inspired appearance is the design goal.

Eyelet Lace Bulk Buying Checklist for Garment Factories

• Stitch integrity at design intersections: Complex patterns require high-quality thread anchoring at points where design elements cross or meet; inspect these areas carefully.
• Base fabric weight against embroidery density: Confirm the base fabric weight is sufficient to support the embroidery without puckering or distorting under stitch tension.
• Cutwork edge quality: Clean-cut holes with tight satin stitch borders are the mark of quality production; ragged or frayed holes indicate poor workmanship.
• Pattern repeat length measurement: Measure the design repeat accurately for cutting efficiency; complex Broderie patterns often have long repeats that create yield loss if not planned carefully.
• Batch color and embroidery consistency: Broderie lace can show batch variation in both base fabric shade and embroidery thread color; always request samples from the actual production batch.

16. Water Soluble Lace

Water soluble lace is produced by embroidering intricate designs onto a water-dissolvable backing fabric. After production, the backing is removed using water, leaving only the embroidered design as a standalone lace motif or panel. This process allows the creation of highly detailed, lightweight designs that would be impossible to produce using conventional lace construction methods.

How to Identify Water Soluble Lace

Water soluble lace is identified by the complete absence of any background fabric or net, similar to Chemical lace. The embroidered design stands independently, connected only by its own thread structure and any bridging bars between individual motifs.

The key technical distinction from Chemical lace lies in the dissolution method: water-soluble backing is removed using plain water alone, while Chemical lace may use a chemical solvent bath. In the finished product, both appear similar to the eye and feel. The embroidered elements in Water soluble lace are typically precise and complex because the computerized embroidery machines used in production offer high design accuracy at industrial output rates.

Where Water Soluble Lace Is Used in Garments

Water soluble lace is used as decorative patches, appliqué motifs, standalone panels, and high-detail trim in fashion garments. It adds a luxury design effect without adding the weight of full lace fabric to the garment construction.

It is commonly applied to women’s fashion tops, evening blouses, bridal accessories, and collar or cuff embellishments. For brands working in the mid-to-premium segment, Water soluble lace motifs offer a cost-effective way to include premium lace detailing on key garment panels without sourcing full-width lace fabric for the entire garment.

Water Soluble Lace Bulk Buying Checklist for Garment Factories

• Residue-free production confirmation: Request a water dissolution test report to confirm that no backing material remains embedded in the finished lace after production.
• Motif structural integrity test: Pull gently at motif edges to check that the design holds its shape without distortion or thread separation.
• Protective packaging in transit: These delicate motifs must be packaged flat and protected from compression; inspect supplier packaging standards before placing your order.
• Thread type and sheen specification: Rayon thread gives a softer sheen while polyester adds durability; choose thread type based on the garment’s end-use requirements.
• Custom design minimum order: Confirm whether your supplier can produce custom motif designs and what the minimum order quantity is for custom pattern production.

17. Lace Trim

Lace trim refers to narrow strips of lace fabric used as decorative borders and edging on garments, rather than as a full-width fabric panel. It is one of the most universally used garment accessories across all product categories and price points, and it is a daily-use material in most garment factories.

How to Identify Lace Trim

Lace trim is identified by its narrow width, typically ranging from 1 cm to 15 cm, produced specifically for border and edging applications. It may be made from any lace construction including Raschel, Chantilly, Schiffli, or Embroidery lace, but its defining characteristic is the narrow strip format.

Lace trim usually has a finished edge on one or both sides to prevent fraying during sewing and garment wear. This finished edge distinguishes it from cut strips of wider lace fabric, which have raw edges. It is supplied in rolls of varying lengths, typically 100 meters or more per roll for bulk supply, allowing efficient factory-floor dispensing and use.

Where Lace Trim Is Used in Garments

Lace trim is applied to necklines, cuffs, sleeve edges, hemlines, collar borders, and pocket edges across virtually every garment category. It is used in women’s wear, kidswear, men’s traditional wear, lingerie, and casualwear production alike, making it one of the most cross-category garment accessories in existence.

In terms of purchasing volume, Lace trim is one of the highest-selling garment accessories in both domestic and export supply chains. For garment factories, it is a replenishment material that is ordered consistently and requires reliable quality and availability from suppliers above all else.

Lace Trim Bulk Buying Checklist for Garment Factories

• Edge finish quality: Both edges must be cleanly finished; a loose selvedge or fraying edge will unravel during the sewing process and cause production delays.
• Width consistency across the roll: Trim must maintain a consistent width throughout the full roll; variation greater than 1 mm creates visible inconsistency on the finished garment.
• Roll length and weight documentation: Confirm roll length per piece and total weight per order to plan inventory accurately and avoid production shortfalls.
• Color matching against base fabric: Lace trim must match the base garment fabric or stated color standard; always request physical samples against your fabric swatches before confirming bulk quantities.
• Stretch versus non-stretch clarity: Confirm whether the trim has any stretch, especially for curved applications such as necklines or armholes where stretch behavior affects the fit and finish.

18. Lingerie Lace

Lingerie lace is a category term describing lace types specifically engineered for use in intimate apparel and innerwear. It encompasses both stretch and non-stretch lace varieties that meet the specific comfort, durability, and aesthetic requirements of the lingerie manufacturing industry.

How to Identify Lingerie Lace

Lingerie lace is identified by its fine, delicate construction, soft hand feel, and in most cases a degree of flexibility or stretch. It is designed to sit directly against the skin without causing irritation, which means thread quality, edge finishing, and material safety are held to higher standards than lace used in outerwear categories.

Common constructions include Raschel knitted lace, stretch nylon lace, and fine Chantilly lace used in non-stretch applications. The edges of quality Lingerie lace are typically scalloped or otherwise finished to eliminate any stiff or sharp edges that could cause discomfort during extended wear.

Where Lingerie Lace Is Used in Garments

Lingerie lace is used in bras, panties, bodysuits, nightwear, slips, and robes. It serves both structural and decorative roles in intimate apparel production, often doing both functions simultaneously in a single garment piece.

In bra production, it is used in cups, wings, and strap sections as both fabric and trim. In panties and briefs, it may form the majority of the garment’s visible surface area. The global intimate apparel market consumes enormous volumes of Lingerie lace annually, and consistent quality supply with verified material safety is a non-negotiable operational requirement for factories in this product category.

Lingerie Lace Bulk Buying Checklist for Garment Factories

• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification: This is the minimum acceptable safety standard for Lingerie lace intended for direct skin contact; always verify before placing an order.
• Multi-cycle stretch and recovery testing: Test stretch percentage and recovery under multiple repeated stretch cycles to confirm the lace maintains performance through real wear conditions.
• Edge comfort assessment: Run a finger along the lace edge to check for any scratchy, rough, or raised elements that would cause skin irritation during wear.
• Dye migration test: Lingerie lace must not transfer color to skin or adjacent fabrics during wear, particularly in heat or perspiration conditions.
• Weight and opacity specification: Confirm the GSM and opacity of the lace against the product design specification; Lingerie lace is often very light and semi-transparent by design.

19. Eyelash Lace

Eyelash lace is a specialty lace type characterized by a fine fringe along one or both edges that visually resembles eyelashes. This fringe detail produces a distinctive, dramatic border that adds softness and movement to luxury and bridal fashion garments.

How to Identify Eyelash Lace

Eyelash lace is identified by the fine, loose fringe threads that extend beyond the main lace body along its edge. These fringe threads are typically 5 mm to 15 mm in length and create a soft, wispy border that moves freely with the fabric.

The main body of the lace may use any construction including Chantilly-style net or embroidered mesh, but the eyelash fringe is the defining visual feature. In quality production, the fringe is always soft, individually separated, and evenly distributed along the edge without matting, clumping, or adhesive stiffness.

Where Eyelash Lace Is Used in Garments

Eyelash lace is used primarily in bridal gowns, luxury dress overlays, evening wear, and high-end fashion tops. It creates a soft, romantic border effect at necklines, sleeve edges, and hemlines that no other lace type can replicate.

It is also sourced for bridal veils, luxury nightwear, and occasion wear collections where the fringe detail adds visual movement and a premium market positioning. In export fashion, Eyelash lace is a specialty material sourced for collections targeting the premium and luxury retail segments in Europe and North America.

Eyelash Lace Bulk Buying Checklist for Garment Factories

• Fringe attachment security: Check that fringe threads are individually separated and securely attached at the base; loose attachment causes fringe loss during production handling and garment wear.
• Fringe length consistency across the roll: Measure fringe length at multiple points across the roll; variation creates an uneven border effect on the finished garment.
• Main lace body quality: Inspect the lace body for the same quality criteria as the relevant base construction, whether Chantilly, embroidered, or net-based.
• Fringe-protective packaging: Eyelash fringe is easily tangled and damaged in transit; confirm the supplier’s rolling and packaging method protects the fringe throughout shipping.
• Fashion colorway availability: Eyelash lace beyond white and ivory may require custom production; confirm color availability and custom minimum order quantities before specifying in your design.

20. Scallop Edge Lace

Scallop edge lace is defined by a curved, wave-like decorative border along one or both edges. The scallop formation is not defined by a single construction method but by the distinctive curved edge profile, which can be applied to Raschel, embroidered, or Chemical lace constructions depending on the desired quality level and price point.

How to Identify Scallop Edge Lace

Scallop edge lace is identified by the repeating curved arc pattern along the finished edge of the lace. The scallops may be shallow and wide, or deep and narrow, depending on the design, but they always present a clean, finished curved border rather than a straight cut or raw edge.

When laid flat, a quality scallop edge lace lies naturally without curling or pulling at the curved edge. In well-produced examples, the scallop points are symmetrical and the curve transitions smoothly and evenly between each arc. The opposite edge may be straight and raw or finished, depending on whether the lace is designed as a trim or as a full panel material.

Where Scallop Edge Lace Is Used in Garments

Scallop edge lace is used along hemlines, necklines, sleeve edges, and lingerie edges where a decorative curved border adds a finished, elegant detail. Applied correctly, the scallop edge eliminates the need for additional hemming at the garment edge, reducing production steps and construction time.

It is widely used in lingerie production, women’s casualwear, children’s dresses, and spring-summer fashion garments. For garment manufacturers, Scallop edge lace is both a decorative and a practical material because it provides a ready-finished garment edge that simplifies construction without sacrificing the finished appearance.

Scallop Edge Lace Bulk Buying Checklist for Garment Factories

• Scallop symmetry inspection: Inspect multiple scallop points across the roll for consistent size and arc shape; irregular scallops are immediately visible on the finished garment.
• Edge stability after cutting: Test the scallop edge for fraying or unraveling after cutting between scallops, as some applications require individual scallops to be separated during construction.
• Pattern repeat alignment: The scallop repeat length must align with your garment’s hemline or edge dimensions to avoid awkward partial scallops at seam join points.
• Stretch behavior confirmation: Some Scallop edge lace has slight inherent stretch; confirm the stretch behavior matches your application, especially for curved hemlines where stretch affects the final drape.
• Stock availability versus custom profile: Standard scallop designs are typically available from stock; custom scallop profiles require a production minimum and longer lead times.

Common Lace Uses in Bangladesh Garments

Lace is commonly used in Bangladesh garments for women’s tops, blouses, dresses, lingerie, kidswear, ethnicwear, collars, cuffs, sleeves, hems, and decorative panels. Each garment category requires a different lace type based on fabric feel, design style, stretch, durability, safety, and buyer compliance needs.

Bangladesh is one of the world’s largest garment exporters, and lace remains an important trim material for export-focused apparel production. Proper lace selection helps factories reduce sampling errors, avoid shade or quality mismatch, and improve final garment finishing.

Below are the common lace uses in Bangladesh garments and the lace types usually selected for each application.

Common lace applications in Bangladesh garments:

1. Women’s tops and blouses
2. Dresses and fashionwear
3. Lingerie and innerwear
4. Kidswear
5. Ethnicwear
6. Collars, cuffs, sleeves, hems, and panels

Women’s Tops and Blouses

Women’s tops and blouses are high-volume categories for lace usage in Bangladesh’s garment sector. Embroidery lace and Schiffli lace are commonly used in front panels, yokes, sleeves, and decorative upper-body sections.

Lace trim is applied at necklines, cuffs, and hem edges to improve garment finishing. Eyelet lace and cotton lace are also used in casual blouses, especially for spring and summer collections targeting European and Australian buyers.

Dresses and Fashionwear

Dresses use lace for overlays, panels, sleeves, trims, and full-fabric decoration. Guipure lace is suitable for panel-based dress designs where structure and bold texture matter.

Chantilly lace works well for premium overlays and soft fashion dresses. Raschel lace and polyester lace are common in mid-market and fast-fashion dress production because they support cost control, repeat orders, and reliable bulk supply.

Lingerie and Innerwear

Lingerie and innerwear require lace that is soft, flexible, skin-safe, and suitable for close body contact. Stretch lace, nylon lace, Raschel lace, and scallop edge lace are widely used in this category.

International buyers often require safety and compliance documents for lace used in innerwear. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is an important certification because it helps verify that textile materials are tested for harmful substances.

Kidswear

Kidswear requires lace that feels soft, lightweight, and non-irritating on the skin. Cotton lace, eyelet lace, and Broderie lace are common choices for children’s dresses, tops, collars, sleeves, and decorative panels.

Factories producing kidswear for Europe and North America usually need proper compliance documents for lace and trim inputs. OEKO-TEX and REACH-related requirements are important because children’s garments face stricter buyer safety checks.

Ethnicwear

Ethnicwear production in Bangladesh includes kameez, kurtis, traditional blouses, and decorative garments for domestic and export buyers. Crochet lace, embroidery lace, and decorative lace trim are widely used in this category.

Lace is commonly applied at necklines, sleeves, hemlines, borders, and center panels. Decorative lace helps ethnicwear achieve a richer visual finish without changing the main garment fabric.

Collars, Cuffs, Sleeves, Hems, and Panels

Lace is also used as a functional-decorative trim across collars, cuffs, sleeve openings, hems, and garment panels. Lace trim and scallop edge lace are the most common formats for these applications.

Straight lace trim works well for joining and insertion. Scallop edge lace gives visible garment edges a decorative finish. Eyelash lace is often selected for premium necklines, overlays, and fashion garments with higher retail price points.

Source Bulk Lace Fabric and Lace Trim from Axisory

Axisory supplies bulk lace fabric, lace trim, handmade accessories, and garment security tags for B2B apparel buyers in Bangladesh. The company works with garment factories, buying houses, exporters, and fashion brands that need wholesale garment accessories for repeat production.

The focus is bulk sourcing, not retail orders. The product range supports apparel manufacturers that need decorative trims, lace components, handmade items, and EAS security alarm tags from one sourcing-oriented supplier.

Bulk buyers can source:

• Lace fabric and lace trim for garment production
• Custom lace patterns, widths, colors, and repeat designs
• Handmade garment accessories such as flowers, bows, tassels, patches, and crochet items
• Security alarm tags for retail-ready apparel programs
• Sample approval before production
• Repeat specification support for future orders
• Wholesale pricing for B2B garment buyers

Compliance also matters in garment accessories sourcing. OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 focuses on harmful substance testing for textile products, while GOTS covers organic fiber textile processing with environmental and social criteria. Standards such as OCS, RCS, and GRS also support organic and recycled material claims through third-party certification systems.

For garment factories, lace sourcing is not only about design. Bulk buyers need the same lace width, shade, GSM, pattern repeat, stretch, and wash result across approved samples and production rolls. A reliable supplier helps factories reduce variation, control quality, and maintain consistency across repeat orders.

FAQs

What are the main types of lace fabric?

The main types of lace fabric include Chantilly lace, Guipure lace, Alençon lace, Schiffli lace, embroidery lace, Raschel lace, chemical lace, cotton lace, eyelet lace, stretch lace, crochet lace, and lace trim. Each type differs in construction, fiber composition, pattern, texture, stretch, and intended garment application.

What is lace fabric?

Lace fabric is an openwork textile formed by arranging yarn or thread into decorative patterns with spaces between the motifs. Lace may be embroidered, knitted, woven, braided, or produced using specialized lace-making machines. It is commonly used for dresses, bridalwear, lingerie, sleeves, overlays, panels, trims, and decorative garment details.

What is lace made of?

Lace can be made from cotton, silk, linen, polyester, nylon, rayon, spandex, or blended yarns. The material depends on the required appearance, softness, durability, stretch, garment application, and production cost. White lace fabric can therefore be made from either natural or synthetic fibers; its color does not determine its fiber composition.

What is lace fabric called?

Lace is generally called lace fabric or lace material, while individual varieties are named according to their construction, origin, fiber, or design. Examples include Chantilly lace, Guipure lace, Schiffli lace, Raschel lace, embroidery lace, cotton lace, stretch lace, and chemical lace.

What is French lace?

French lace generally refers to traditional lace styles associated with France rather than one specific fabric. Chantilly lace and Alençon lace are two well-known examples. Chantilly lace is recognized for fine netting and detailed motifs, while traditional Alençon lace is known for intricate needle-lace construction and outlined patterns.

What should buyers check before ordering lace fabric in bulk?

Buyers should confirm the lace material, construction, width, GSM, pattern repeat, color, stretch level, hand feel, shrinkage, color fastness, finishing, and shade consistency before bulk production. Garment factories should also approve samples and confirm MOQ, production capacity, packaging, compliance requirements, lead time, and repeat-order specifications.

Does Axisory supply custom lace for garment factories?

Yes. Axisory supplies lace for garment factories, exporters, buying houses, and fashion brands, including custom patterns, colors, widths, and production specifications. Buyers can develop samples before bulk production and maintain approved specifications for repeat orders. Contact Axisory with the required lace type, quantity, design, color, and garment application for sourcing details.