What Is Eyelet Fabric? Broderie Anglaise and How to Style It
Eyelet fabric is the cotton you recognise by its pattern of tiny stitched holes, and in 2026 it is one of the easiest ways to make a plain summer piece look finished. This guide explains what eyelet actually is, how it differs from lace and cutwork, and how to wear an eyelet top, dress or caftan from beach lunch to dinner.
Quick answer
Eyelet is broderie anglaise: a cotton or linen cloth embroidered with small round or oval holes whose edges are stitched to stop them fraying. It is breathable, holds its shape better than lace, and works best styled simply, with the pattern doing the decorating.
What is eyelet fabric?
Eyelet is the common name for broderie anglaise, which the Textile Research Centre in Leiden describes as open whitework in which round or oval holes are pierced in a fine linen or cotton ground and finished with overcast or buttonhole stitch (TRC Leiden). The same source notes it became popular in the latter half of the nineteenth century for women's and children's clothing, which is why it still reads as fresh, summery and a little romantic.
Because the holes are stitched rather than woven, eyelet has more body than lace. A dress in eyelet keeps its line, a top sits away from the body instead of clinging, and the fabric breathes, which is exactly what you want in heat.
Eyelet, lace and cutwork: what is the difference?
Lace is built from thread alone; there is no cloth underneath. Cutwork is the wider family of embroidery where areas of fabric are cut away. Eyelet is one member of that family, defined by small, repeated holes on an otherwise solid cotton. Schiffli is a close relative: machine-embroidered openwork that often covers the whole cloth, which our schiffli guide explains. In practice eyelet is sturdier than lace, easier to wash, and less formal. It belongs with cotton and linen pieces rather than evening silks.
How to style eyelet
- Let it be the only texture. Pair a white eyelet top with plain wide trousers or pants; a second pattern competes with the holes.
- Go all white for maximum effect. A white eyelet dress or a full-length eyelet kaftan is the classic resort look. Browse the whites edit for more.
- Try colour for something less expected. Eyelet in black, red or neon reads modern rather than bridal: think a black eyelet dress for dinner, or the red eyelet shirt with denim.
- Use it as a set. A matching eyelet shirt and pants co-ord looks deliberate with almost no effort; see all co-ord sets.
- Keep accessories flat and natural. Leather sandals, a straw bag, gold studs. Heavy jewellery fights the openwork.
“Eyelet already has its detail built in, so treat it like a print: one piece, clean lines around it, and let the light come through” says fashion designer Ramola Bachchan, who founded First Resort in 2018.
Where does eyelet work best?
Eyelet is at its best in daylight and warm weather: beach lunches, garden parties, brunch, holiday evenings on a terrace. A white eyelet kaftan top over a swimsuit doubles as a cover-up, and a longer neck-tie eyelet kaftan goes from pool to dinner with a change of shoes. For offices with a relaxed code, an eyelet blouse under a plain jacket softens a formal outfit without breaking it.
Caring for eyelet
Most eyelet is cotton, so it washes well, but the stitched edges around each hole can catch. Wash cool on a gentle cycle, inside out or in a mesh bag, skip the tumble dryer, and iron on the reverse over a towel so the embroidery keeps its raised texture. Always follow the care label on the garment first.
Browse all our kaftans and dresses, or start with the whites edit. Sizes run XS to 8XL.
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Also shop: Whites · Cotton · Dresses · Kaftans · Silk · Shirt
Also read: Cutwork: The Craft and How to Style It · The All-White Resort Edit · Types of Hand Embroidery