Calais lace has a reputation for being delicate, and that reputation is not entirely wrong. But most of the damage we see on returned pieces is not from wear. It is from washing. The lace itself is remarkably durable. The problem is usually heat, agitation, or the wrong detergent. Here is what actually works.

What Makes Calais Lace Different From Other Lace

Calais lace is made on Leavers looms. Mechanical looms that produce a continuous net structure rather than a woven or knitted fabric. The result is a lace with a three-dimensional texture that holds its pattern under tension. It is heavier than most machine-made lace and significantly more durable. The mill we source from in Caudry, northern France, has been running the same Leavers looms since the 1960s. The pattern we use has been in continuous production since 1962.

The Right Way to Wash Calais Lace

Hand-wash in cool water. Below 30 degrees Celsius. With a small amount of a pH-neutral detergent. We include a mesh laundry bag with every Stream Lab Core Nex lingerie order, and if you must machine-wash, use the bag on a delicate cycle with cold water. Never use fabric softener on lace. It coats the fibres and reduces the texture over time. Never wring or twist the fabric to remove water. Press it gently between two clean towels.

Drying and Storage

Dry flat, away from direct sunlight. Lace can lose its shape if hung while wet because the weight of the water pulls the structure down. Sunlight fades the dye and weakens the fibres over time. This applies to ivory and blush colourways especially. For storage, fold loosely and keep in a cotton dust bag or a drawer lined with acid-free tissue. Do not compress lace under other garments for extended periods.

When to Seek Repair Rather Than Replace

A small snag or a broken thread in Calais lace is repairable. The structure of the fabric means that a single broken thread does not unravel the way a knit would. We offer a repair service for Stream Lab Core Nex pieces. Send us a photograph of the damage and we will advise whether it can be fixed and at what cost. In most cases, a repair is straightforward and significantly cheaper than a replacement.

Treated correctly, a Calais lace bralette should last five years or more. If you have a piece that needs attention, email us with a photograph.