Lace fabrics were originally named for the locations where they were made. As a result, there are hundreds of varieties of lace. These fall into roughly three categories, however - allover lace, guipure lace and fine lace.

• Alençon lace - characterised by a floral and swag design on a net ground. This was originally made using a needle and linen thread, with individual motifs of flowers outlined in heavier thread. Often Alençon lace will have been clipped to make lace appliqué. Alençon lace is used to make wedding gowns, lingerie and formal wear. In comparison to Chantilly lace, Alençon motifs are a little more delicate and are outlined with cord, the scallops at the edges are not so pronounced, and the edge is not made of picot but rather of chained beads;
  
• Allover lace - this has a repetitive pattern similar to that found in a print. The edges are often straight, sometimes with a selvage and sometimes unfinished. Usually found in wide widths, and generally inexpensive;
  
• Breton lace - another name for Schiffi lace;
• Burano lace - a handmade needle lace similar to Alençon but with a more square-like mesh;
  
• Chantilly - a fine, open lace with a delicate design of branches and flowers held within a pattern of ribbons and scrolls. Chantilly lace is usually edged with picots. Chantilly was originally made with bobbin lace - the pattern is still outlined in thick and silky threads. Chantilly is frequently used for bridalwear, cocktail dresses and other formal wear;
  
• Cluny - a coarse lace made with cotton or cotton-like threads, available in both narrow and wide widths. Cluny is usually used for trims, curtains, tablecloths and casual garments;
  
• Filet - a set of shapes embedded in a square mesh, usually available only in narrow trims;
  
• Guipure - a firm, stiff lace with no net background, Guipure lace is also called Venise lace, point de Venise, "chemical" lace or "burned-out" lace. It is usually made from cotton on Schiffi machines following an embroidered design, although it was originally made using founation material that would dissole in a lye bath, hence its alternative names;
• Metallic lace - any lace that incorporates metallic threads
  
• Re-embroidered lace - any lace embellished to emphasize or enhance the design, whether embroidered with heavy cord, lace, ribbons, beads or sequins;
  
• Schiffi lace - a delicate, transparent net with chain-stritched embroidery designs. Usually found in trims, although it can be found in wider strips;
  
• Tape lace - uses a "tape effect" as part of the design against a sheer background. Tape lace is also called "Milanese lace" or "Battenberg lace". Available in narrow widths, in collars and cuffs;
  
• Val lace - also called "Valenciennes lace", this is a narrow, flat lace with a delicate floral design within a diamond-shaped or round-shaped netting pattern
  

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