Having already written about, and fallen achingly and unashamedly in love with, the A/W lace trend way back in February, it is with a gleeful (and slightly territorial) heart that I watch the fabric start to trickle into the high street shops. Of course, vintage stores and markets will always be the best place for lace that looks like a spiderweb of stories and secrets, for scraps, ribbons and accessories that will give any outfit that hint of lace-spun dreams.

But in these economically tricky times, the British high street is a veritable field of dreams this summer. Besides, for an actual dress, modern shapes tend to fit better and stop the look from becoming too antique and dusty.

As much as I love all the dark romance that is around this winter, the black lace dresses that dominated the catwalks from Alexander McQueen to Philosophy Di Alberta Ferretti are a little heavy for hazy sunlit days. Instead, try lighter dresses in paler hues.

This pale grey number from Topshop is straight off the Prada runway and is a beautifully modern way to wear the trend. Wear yours with bare legs, easy breezy Californian hair and natural make-up for a lacy summer that looks as light as air.