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Loungewear has become one of the biggest trends in fashion. But if your style leans more coquette than athleisure, then pointelle will be your safest entryway into the casual, cool style.
If you are not familiar with pointelle, it’s a French term used to refer to a lace-like knit pattern with micro perforations, often arranged in chevron-style shapes, that create intricate, dainty motifs. Pointelle pieces, especially when made of cotton, have been a staple in intimates and sleepwear for literal decades. After years of being reserved for loungewear, pointelle pieces are now permeating the mainstream as outerwear, with tops, skirts, shorts, socks, and more getting the celebrity stamp of approval.
Why is pointelle becoming so popular? The key elements are certainly comfort and nostalgia. Pointelle pieces have an effortless je-ne-sais-quoi that can turn a super simple outfit into a super cute one. And they are especially preferred over the summer since they are super lightweight and versatile. (All those tiny holes come in clutch during the hotter months when we all need a little extra breathability!)
Basically, opting for pointelle instead of a basic jersey is a certified way of giving any simple tee or tank in your outfit formula some added texture while also ensuring your ‘fit feels more breezy. It’s the MVP of elevated basics for summer. (Taylor Swift even wore it to a football game!)
With pointelle, you can go as simple or as rococo as you want. Many brands these days make sober pointelle designs with no added frills, but for the most nostalgic and romantic pieces, you can find adornments such as tiny bow details and scalloped or picot trims.
Styling pointelle is also super easy—you can go for a full pointelle look for a loungewear-inspired look or pair a standout piece with denim, linen, or other summer-appropriate fabrics for a more balanced look. Also, while pointelle pieces are more common in white and black, there are plenty of color options on the market right now, from red and blue to gray, yellow, and pink, and even floral patterns.
Recently, Harry Styles gave the trend his stamp of approval, rocking a bright pink pointelle shirt by JW Anderson during his Together, Together Amsterdam residency. Styles, dressed by his longtime stylist Harry Lambert, paired his tee, which featured a micro bow on the neckline and delicate, floral-like perforated clusters, with gray suit pants and a black leather belt.
Styles’s rumored fiancée, Zoë Kravitz, is also a big fan of pointelle. The star has been seen in various pointelle pieces, often by London-based brand Cou Cou Intimates, to create summer looks in her trademark effortless style. Some of the combos include a cropped white pointelle cami with a bandana and low-rise linen pants, as well as a matching midi skirt and cami combo with ballet flats to boot.
Millie Bobby Brown also gave pointelle her stamp of approval earlier this year, launching her own pointelle collection with Florence by Mills. And Olivia Rodrigo also wore pointelle tights from the brand Hue in the music video for “drop dead,” off her new album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love. (She has also been seen in basic pointelle tees.)
But this trend has been long growing. Hailey Bieber has rocked both floral-patterned and baby blue pointelle pieces in the past. Selena Gomez and Normani are also fans of the trend. Last year, pointelle even made an appearance on The Summer I Turned Pretty.
If you too want to join the pointelle club this summer, whether to lounge around or while out and about, we've gathered some of our favorite pieces below:
