Top: Jason Wu

Skirt: J Crew

Bag: Miu Miu

Bangle: Lulu Frost

Earrings: Vivienne Westwood

How about a little bit of lace on lace?  It would be easy to pair another black lace top with this skirt, but the contrast cream keeps it from being overly formal.  It's still a feminine and ornate outfit without being too sweet.  Also keeping it from being too sweet, the edgy cracked leather bag.  The bangle and earrings are delicate with the bangle adding an antique, vintage look.  This outfit doesn't stray into the overly young outfit that some lace pairings do making it completely appropriate for a woman over 40.  The pencil skirt is so good for an hourglass figure, and the top has enough fabric to keep it from clingy around areas we don't want it to.