
You can probably tell by now that we’re laying out all of our Valentine’s Day outfit options before we choose a clear winner. So far, we’ve ogled at Little Red Dresses and snatched up the most colorful wrap dresses around, but we still feel like there’s uncharted styles left to explore. When we noticed that there are tons of fancy lace frocks on the market, we knew we had to do a deep dive. These 20 lacy looks might just be the perfect get-ups to get wined and dined in—they’ll stand up to the romance of the holiday and can easily be reworn to all those Spring weddings you’ve been invited too. That seems hard to beat! Looking to keep things on the cheap? Use this list as inspiration for your next lace DIY!
1. Patchwork Lace Pencil Dress ($298): Contrasting lace panels add a graphic touch to this delicate dress. We’re nuts about the patterns that emerge from this overlay.
2. Lovely Lace Sheath Dress ($28): If you’re idea of a lace dress is something billowy and fussy, this streamlined sheath will make you think again. With contrast piping and a modern high neck, this is the lace dress perfect for babes with a more minimal style.
3. Nha Khanh Red Lace Dahlia Dress ($100): The natural scalloped neckline on this lace dress is everything! We love that the design is mirrored at the hemline, which is amped up with flirty nude tulle.
4. Vila Beirut Dress With Lace Detail ($47): This eye-catching cap sleeved dress would be a serious stunner on its own, but with the added sheer lace panels bringing attention to all the right places, it should make its way straight to the top of your must have list.
5. ML Monique Lhuillier Chasing Clouds Dress ($40): Now this is a foolproof way to look lovely in lace. With elbow-length sleeves, a boat neckline, and a full skirt with pockets, this blue hued dress is as sweet as you can get.
6. Oasis Lace Sleeve Skater Dress ($60): We’re absolutely floored by this modern lace dress. Two of the most delicate fabrics known to man—crepe and of course, lace—are expertly tailored to create a frock that looks structured, yet totally feminine. Swoon!
7. Asos Curve Exclusive Peplum Dress in Lace ($70): Pleated lace peplum FTW! The sheer lace back and scalloped detail on the stretch skirt come in at a close second and third.
8. Honeyed Lace Dress ($80): Sparkly bronze lace acts as a lovely sheath over a black, cami-cut slip. The black satin sash makes this metallic dress even more glam.
9. Capitola Bodycon Dress ($47): Curvy girls, do your body proud and rock it in this pencil cut bodycon dress. If you thought that strip by the neckline was all the lace you’re getting, you just wait till this beauty struts past you ;)
10. Little Mistress Lace Broderie Prom Dress ($38): The daisy patterned lace overlay is the main attraction on this sweet ‘50s-inspired dress. We’d twist the night away in that swingin’ full skirt.
11. French Connection Printed Lace Shift Dress ($156): Ten deep into this roundup means that we’re not strangers to a beautiful lace overlay, but can we please talk about this amazing floral pattern that pops underneath it? Clashing patterns and textures was a risky move, but it totally paid off in our eyes—it’s one of our favorites on this list.
12. Paper Doll Pencil Dress With Eyelash Lace ($102): Eyelash lace contours a flattering hourglass shape onto this white pencil dress like a dream. It’s a silhouette that’s sure to be a great fit for nearly any figure.
13. Robert Rodriguez Black Label Berry Wild Lace Gown ($125): Now this is the ultimate way to wear a lace maxi—not dripping in it from head to toe, but ever so perfectly placed as head-turning trim on this asymmetrical gown.
14. Kay Unger Speck Tacular Sheath ($30): The mix of sheer and sparkle on this dress is totally insane! We’re obsessed with this metallic jacquard that’s tamed to a tasteful center panel with lace overlay.
15. Celeste Lace Dress ($43): Children of the ‘90s, get ready to rock the high neck once again this spring. The comeback, for better or worse, actually looks lovely on this white lace dress, adding a sporty element to this ultra feminine silhouette.
16. Whistles Rebecca Dress in Lace ($158): Here’s another unmistakably modern way to wear lace. The cut crew neckline and relaxed sheer sleeves add an effortless feel to this structured number that’s complete with gems like front pockets and an exposed back zipper.
17. Jay Godfrey Iris Lace Sheath ($30): The thick lace trim acts as an elegant embellishment on this iris colored sheath dress. We love how it acts as a faux peplum around the waist, too!
18. Mina Mesh and Lace Dress ($71): We’re bowled over by the mix of girly and sophisticated frills in this dress. Can’t you just picture Zosia Mamet from Girls killing it on the red carpet in this?
19. Hybrid Pencil Dress With Plunge Neck and Lace Skirt ($176): The neutral toned color block neckline leads your eye straight to the smokin’ pencil skirt boasting a gorgeous lace overlay. The olive branch-inspired pattern is totally unique.
20. Nha Khanh Karla Dress ($40): Just imagine the reaction you’d get walking into a cocktail reception in this simply severe lace dress! You’d own the room, darling!
How are you sorting out what to wear for Valentine’s Day? Going for something flowy and romantic or channeling that inner vixen? Tell us in the comments below.
Welcome to Selfmade Finance School, our new money series with Block Advisors to help small business owners with their tax, bookkeeping, and payroll needs year-round. This week, we explore the tax implications of bringing family members into your business.
The question for today is this: Does hiring your family members make sense for your business? Let me be clear. This is not a piece about whether hiring your family members makes sense for your relationships with those family members. As someone who is part of a family business, I could fill up a lot more than 600 words on my opinions about that. For today's purposes, we focus on whether it makes sense from an overall "good business and tax implication" perspective. As it turns out, there is a decent amount of tax nuance when it comes to employing your family. Let's break it down based on relationship to the employee:
You X Ventures for Unsplash
Spouses Who Are In Business Together
Personally, if I had to be in business with my husband, it would not go well. However, many couples build viable, strong businesses together and I say, good for them! Depending on how you have your business entity structured, it will make a big difference on the tax treatment of you and your spouse working as partners. Because a business jointly owned and operated by a married couple is generally treated as a partnership for Federal tax purposes, the spouses must comply with filing and record keeping requirements imposed on partnerships and their partners. The election to file two Schedule C (Form 1040) forms, (one for each spouse) permits certain married co-owners to avoid filing partnership returns, provided that each spouse separately reports a share of all the businesses' items of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit. Under the election, both spouses will be subject to self-employment tax and on net earnings from self-employment and receive credit for Social Security earnings.
One Spouse Employs Another
If you have a dynamic where your spouse is an employee of your business, then your spouse's wages are subject to income tax withholding, Social Security and Medicare taxes. If you are self-employed (not a corporation or a partnership), your spouse's pay does not have to be included in your federal unemployment tax account (FUTA) contributions and payments. However, if your business is a corporation or a partnership you must include that spouse's pay in your unemployment tax contribution calculation.
Kobu Agency for Unsplash
You Employ Your Child
First, let's be clear. I work in my family business, but I am an adult, so I am treated just like a normal employee. However, if you, for example, run a family restaurant and want to hire your children under 18 to work for you, there are some tax benefits. But first, you should check with your state for rules on how many hours minors can work (in non-agricultural jobs) and reference the Fair Labor Standards Act for information on limitations on the kinds of work children can perform.
"This is an often overlooked or under-utilized strategy. Paying your children for true services they provide in your business can be a powerful tax-saving tool," says Cathi Reed, Block Advisors Regional Director. "If you are a sole-proprietorship or single member LLC, and the child is less than 18 years of age, the business is not required to withhold FICA or payroll taxes. The child can use his or her standard deduction against income you pay."
You Hire Your Parent
Oh dear. If you are brave enough to do this, know that you will need to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on your parent's wages and make the appropriate withholdings, but you don't have to pay unemployment taxes. Now all you have to do is convince your parent that you are the boss. Have fun with that!
Is Hiring Family Members Worth It For The Tax Benefits?
"There are some positive tax advantages to hiring family members. It's important to treat a family member like any other employee. Hiring your children can result in substantial savings for businesses. Make sure your child has real, age-appropriate work to do and a reasonable pay rate, comparable to other employees. Consult with a Block Advisors small business certified tax pro to ensure that you are complying with all requirements," advises Reed. "Block Advisors, a team within H&R Block, is dedicated to meeting the tax, bookkeeping and payroll needs of small business owners year-round. To start working with the tax experts at Block Advisors, visit blockadvisors.com."
In my opinion, you should not hire a family member solely because of the tax benefits. You should always hire based on whether that person is right for the job and keep in mind how this hire could materially impact your relationship with that person and others in your family. Finally, as I mentioned, make sure you have a tax professional on your team when making these determinations. As you can see, things can get a little tricky!
*All details were sourced from IRS.gov and blockadvisors.com
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax advisor with regards to your individual situation. Comments concerning the past performance are not intended to be forward looking and should not be viewed as an indication of future results. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. O'Keeffe Financial Partners and any other entity listed herein is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS Investor Disclosures: https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures