How NOT to wear lace: Stylists reveal which A-listers should have left their risqué dresses on the rack and the midlife celebs nailing the trendy look

It's a trend that simply refuses to die, as lace looks - particularly monochrome versions - appear to be more prominent than ever among A-listers hitting the red carpet.On Monday night, actress Ellie Bamber left little to the imagination at the premiere of Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol as she stepped out in a long-sleeved black lace top with a V-neckline that cascaded down into a dramatic layered burgundy skirt.The actress, 29, who portrays Belle in the Charles Dickens Christmas film, also wore a coordinated lace choker necklace and accessorised with silver drop earrings.Yet she is not the first star to have recently embraced black lace as their go-to red carpet attire, with the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Sofia Vergara recently stepping out in their best lace dresses.According to stylist Lisa Talbot, lace is 'having a real moment because it can be incredibly versatile'.She told the Daily Mail: 'It can be romantic, feminine and elegant, but it can also be bold, dramatic and quite provocative.'I think celebrities are enjoying the opportunity to make a statement with a fabric that has traditionally been associated with something much softer and more delicate.'However, stylist Caroline Baxter warned that lace outfits can soon 'go very wrong if the dress is too tight or the wearer looks as though they've been squeezed into it'.Read on to discover which stars have successfully embraced the trending style to its fullest extent, and who should perhaps be hanging up their lace ensembles in future...Ellie Bamber On Monday night, actress Ellie Bamber left little to the imagination at the premiere of Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol as she stepped out in a long-sleeved black lace top with a V-neckline that cascaded down into a dramatic layered burgundy skirtAccording to Caroline, Ellie's black lace look on Monday night 'lacked structure'.She added: 'While the lace choker is too deep and interrupts the line of the outfit. Chokers can be tricky because they visually cut off the neckline, disconnecting the head from the torso. 'The dress needs to feel like one unified silhouette, but the silk taffeta appears awkwardly attached and doesn't work with the lace. There is also very little support or structure. It's a no from me.'Meanwhile, Lisa described Ellie's lace outfit as 'the most challenging combination'.She said: 'The deep plunge, sheer lace and contrasting bright skirt are all making a statement at the same time. I don’t think there’s a clear focal point. 'The colour contrast is quite strong and competes with the intricate lace. 'I’d have preferred a more understated skirt to allow the lace to take centre stage, or a simpler lace top with the statement skirt.'Jennifer Lopez Stepping out for Dolce & Gabbana's Milan Fashion Week party last month, Jennifer Lopez opted for a sheer lace dress that left little to the imaginationStepping out for Dolce & Gabbana's Milan Fashion Week party last month, Jennifer Lopez opted for a sheer lace dress that left little to the imagination. Yet Caroline believed that her lace ensemble was 'too short to work with ankle-strap stilettos, which further breaks up the leg line'.She added: 'There is also a lack of support, while the chunky coat feels too heavy against such a delicate dress. It doesn't quite come together.'However, Lisa spoke more favourably about this lace ensemble, arguing that 'the delicate, sheer lace dress against the heavier fur outerwear creates texture and gives the outfit a more interesting dimension'.'The outerwear also provides some coverage and balances the transparency of the dress,' she said.'It’s a good example of how layering can change the feel of an outfit. Without the coat, it would have a very different look.'Sofia Vergara Sofia Vergara joined a star-studded line-up of celebrities at the annual Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Gala who embraced the so-called 'naked dress' trend earlier this monthSofia Vergara joined a star-studded line-up of celebrities at the annual Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Gala who embraced the so-called 'naked dress' trend earlier this month.The Modern Family star, 54, delivered bombshell glamour in a busty sheer black lace gown that hugged her curvaceous figure.According to Caroline, however, this look suffered issues with its 'fit' as it 'looks like a lace basque with a skirt attached, rather than a beautifully constructed dress'.'The fit is the biggest problem. Without straps, Sofia is having to work too hard to keep the dress in place and it looks as though she is in danger of falling out of it,' she said. 'The combination of black and nude lace is actually quite pretty and isn't overly transparent, but the construction and fit let it down. It's simply not flattering enough.'Lisa, meanwhile, described Sofia's dress as 'a great example of a fitted lace dress working well'.She noted: 'The strapless neckline and defined silhouette give the outfit a clear shape, and the lace adds texture without needing lots of additional detail. 'I particularly like that the dress is doing the work rather than relying on accessories. It’s glamorous, but still relatively uncomplicated.'Charlie Murphy On Monday night, Charlie Murphy wowed in a racy black semi-sheer dress which featured a sheer lace skirt and plunging neckline at the Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol premiereOn Monday night, Charlie Murphy wowed in a racy black semi-sheer dress which featured a sheer lace skirt and plunging neckline at the Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol premiere.And her look was highly favoured by Caroline, who described it as 'diaphanous, whimsical and flattering and exactly how chiffon and lace should be worn'.She added: 'There is just the right amount of coverage while still allowing the transparency of the fabric to do its job. 'It has a beautiful vintage quality, with a distinctly Victoriana feel, and the longer length gives it elegance. The cut is lovely and, importantly, it looks expensive. This is a much more considered approach to sheer dressing.'Lisa, however, noted that this look may have had 'too many elements competing'.She added: 'The deep neckline, sheer lace and additional volume around the hips create quite a busy overall look. I would have preferred to see the dress simplified. 'With lace, you need to decide where you want the attention to go. If the neckline is the statement, allow that to be the feature rather than introducing lots of other details.'Janet Jackson Last month, Janet Jackson turned heads with her age-defying looks as she stepped out in a custom floor-length black lace gown by Christian Siriano at the Dancers Against Cancer's Gala of the Stars in Beverly HillsLast month, Janet Jackson turned heads with her age-defying looks as she stepped out in a custom floor-length black lace gown by Christian Siriano at the Dancers Against Cancer's Gala of the Stars in Beverly Hills.In Caroline's view, the dress served as a 'really flattering way to wear lace if you're a little older and don't necessarily want to reveal too much skin'.She noted: 'It's tailored, beautifully structured and suits Janet perfectly. The lace detailing at the cuffs, waist and shoulders adds definition and creates a lovely shape. 'Rather than relying on transparency, the dress uses lace as a decorative detail. It's elegant, sophisticated and a yes from me.'Lisa, meanwhile, described Janet's look as incredibly 'interesting', noting that 'the longer sleeves and more structured waist give the dress definition, while the intricate pattern creates interest'.'I also like the darker, almost chocolate-toned colour rather than the usual black. It feels a little different and gives the outfit a sophisticated edge,' she said.'It’s a reminder that lace doesn’t always have to be delicate or overtly feminine.'Dakota Johnson In September, Dakota Johnson turned heads in a sheer white lace dress from Colleen Allen at the star-studded Verity premiere in LondonIn September, Dakota Johnson turned heads in a sheer white lace dress from Colleen Allen at the star-studded Verity premiere in London. Caroline noted that the unique white dress is 'cool, effortless and has a lovely vintage-inspired quality'.She added: 'It's also a look that really depends on having the right proportions and being comfortable with the silhouette. Wearing black underwear underneath is a very current fashion statement. 'A few years ago, the instinct would have been to choose nude underwear and make it disappear, whereas now the underwear is deliberately part of the look. 'I love the open neckline and the wide lace detailing, which gives it a pretty, almost antique feel. It's a yes, although it's definitely not a dress that everyone could carry off.'Lisa added that Dakota's choice of a 'lighter, ivory lace feels fresh and offers an alternative to the sea of black lace we’re seeing'.'It’s feminine without being overly complicated. However, with lighter lace, the choice of lining and underwear is particularly important,' she said.'You want the garment to look intentional, with the transparency and underlayer working together. It’s those finishing details that make the difference.'Nicole Kidman Actress Nicole Kidman dazzled as she arrived in a sheer black lace gown at the Los Angeles premiere of Practical Magic 2 in SeptemberActress Nicole Kidman dazzled as she arrived in a sheer black lace gown at the Los Angeles premiere of Practical Magic 2 in September. The 59-year-old opted for the gown, designed by Pieter Mulier for Atelier Versace, which she paired with a lace choker, in the look styled by Jason Bolden.Caroline praised this dress highly, and said: 'I love the asymmetrical hemline and the vintage-inspired lace design. The nude mini dress underneath provides coverage in all the right places without taking away from the beauty of the lace overlay. 'My only reservation is the lace choker, which distracts from the dress and interrupts the neckline. Without it, the overall look would be much stronger. The lace pattern itself has a lovely vintage quality.'Lisa, similarly, was a huge fan of this outfit, describing it as her 'top pick' among the A-listers opting for lace ensembles.She said: 'It’s a lovely example of how to wear lace without it looking overly fussy. The longer silhouette gives the outfit elegance, while the lace introduces texture and interest. 'There’s a nice balance between femininity and sophistication. This is a look I’d encourage women to take inspiration from. You don’t always need to wear lace head to toe to make an impact.'Heidi Klum In September, Heidi Klum stepped out in a black, off-the-shoulder corseted lace mini dress by Celia Kritharioti, the Greek designer, to Vogue World in MilanIn September, Heidi Klum stepped out in a black, off-the-shoulder corseted lace mini dress by Celia Kritharioti, the Greek designer, to Vogue World in Milan. However, in Caroline's view, 'this is one of those dresses that has incredible hanger appeal'.She explained: 'All the intricate detailing makes it look absolutely divine on the rail. But once it's on, it becomes a different story. It's simply too revealing, and the shape through the torso isn't particularly flattering. 'The high Victoriana neckline is also rather overwhelming on Heidi. Sometimes a dress can look spectacular as a design but doesn't necessarily translate when worn.'Lisa, meanwhile, described Heidi's look as one that makes a great 'statement'.'The sheer lace makes it quite daring, but I think the overall silhouette works because the dress is relatively simple in shape,' she said.'The lace is the focal point and there isn’t a huge amount of additional styling competing with it. 'However, this is very much a red-carpet look rather than something I’d suggest copying literally for everyday occasion wear.'Joey King Over the summer, Joey King stepped out in a black lace halter dress from Alessandra Rich's Fall/Winter collectionOver the summer, Joey King stepped out in a black lace halter dress from Alessandra Rich's Fall/Winter collection. Caroline noted that Joey, 27, is 'known for embracing lace and isn't afraid of showing a little skin'.'This dress is incredibly cute on her and feels completely in keeping with her personal style,' she said. 'The halterneck, the skirt cut on the bias and the playful proportions all work beautifully together. Her hair and make-up complement the look without making it feel overdone. She isn't trying too hard, which is precisely why it works.'In Lisa's view, one of the focal points of Joey's look is the 'halterneck detail' which 'gives the dress structure and draws attention upwards, while the lace creates a softer contrast'.She explained: 'There is quite a lot happening with the ruffle detailing and the different lace sections, so I’d have preferred a slightly simpler finish. 'When you’re wearing a detailed fabric, you need to be careful that the design doesn’t become too busy.'