Would You Wear… Sheer Clothing?
From left: Leighton Meester in Emilio De La Morena, Christian Dior on the runway, Rihanna in Gareth Pugh
Sheer clothing is almost always a component of most designers’ spring collections, with layers of soft chiffon creating dreamy silhouettes. Lately, however, the trend has turned ultra sheer, exposing bras and body parts for all to see in the name of fashion. Leighton Meester has repeatedly rocked this look, with an Emilio De La Morena dress (pictured above) and a lace Sofia Vintage top. Stars like Rihanna have also gotten in on this sexy trend.
This look is obviously not for work or school, but it’s daring for a night out – whether clubbing or at a fancier event. The key is all in what you choose to show, and how you choose to show it. The Christian Dior look above is bold, but the feminine cut, delicate fabrics, and coverage in the skirt make it significantly more wearable and beautiful than one might expect. Layering a blazer over top of a sheer shirt makes for a classier look, too.
Another way to make the sheer trend wearable is choosing what you display. While Leighton Meester’s dress is fairly scandalous, it is also wearable because only bits and pieces are sheer, and not obviously so. This is certainly the trick when wearing sheer attire to a more formal event, in order to make the look coy and sexy instead of obvious and promiscuous.
Personally, I love this look on others – I find it daring, but can also be soft and feminine. However, I would never be able to wear it, except perhaps to show off my -gasp- collar bone.
Check out some versions of the trend you may find wearable below.
Outfit #1: When You’re Feeling Demure but Playful
Product Information: Grey Blazer: Topshop, Sheer Blouse: Tara Jarmon, Black Lace Bra: Ultimo, Golden Bangles: Sarasa, Grey Pumps: Michael Antonio, Black Draped Skirt: Xmiss, Black Tights: Gap
Outfit #2: When You’re Feeling Sexy
Product Information: Seamed Pantyhose: Miss Selfridge, Sheer Dress: Thakoon (a girl can dream, right?), Knotted Headband: Forever 21, Zipper Necklace: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Red Pumps: Ami Club Wear
Thoughts? Feelings? Concerns?
While I love the idea of this trend, I think it’s tough to pull off unless you’re on a catwalk or a red carpet. I am a fan of sheer accents though, such as sleeves.
Now I want to know what you think! Would you or do you ever wear sheer clothing? How do you pull it off? Let me know in the comments!
Posted on on January 26, 2010 / Filed Under: Would You Wear? / Tags: Christian Dior, Emilio De La Morena, Gareth Pugh, Leighton Meester, Rihanna, Sheer, Trends
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FashionStyleAdvice
It’s definitely going to be very trendy this year, however I’m kind of iffy… I don’t think I would dare to wear sheer fabrics… I would have to wear a tank top under a see-through blouse for instance…
/Milana
Kim - Cal State
Oh my goodness, I love the sheer trend, the only thing is I think one of the biggest problems with it is you have to be either skinny skinny or in really good shape to be able to pull it off. Nonetheless, I’m pretty eager to try it out, I bought a cute top from a thrift store that I can’t wait to test. Just gotta get the guts to wear it…
Isabelle
I personally think it’s gorgeous when you’ve got the bod and the classiness added to it. The problem with this trend is that it can go overboard into the tacky department worn by the wrong people.
Madeleine
I would never wear sheer clothing because I think it doesn’t work well with everyday routines plus it’s too revealing for my taste. I would only wear it if it only exposed my nonscandalous body parts (such as my collar bone and the like)
Cassandra
I like it. I only have a shift dress thats sheer-ish, but I dont think it was made for that purpose. will see what i can dig up in the coming months :)
I like cutouts (alexander wang sweater dress with the leather shoulder bits -drools-) and lace catsuits so i really like the femine part of it. Love the way it looks gauzy and skimming over skin :) I wouldn’t wear something like what Rihanna has on though, just seems, well … cheap there. only for glimpses and bits of clothes do i think it works.
been dreaming owning something like this for summer ever since i saw it over on Style Bubble …
http://www.stylebubble.co.uk/.a/6a00e5508e95a9883301287704ea15970c-640wi
tape my boobs down neatly and make it all about the back :D hair tied with scarf, denim shorts, light canvas sneakers in nuetral … arh. right now its too cold for me to wear anything but jeans(not even fat tights) and its bumming me out.
Liz
I love to check out this blog for a little college fashion fixes etc. I’m from Ireland so i think our general styles are on a slightly different time line, because sheer clothing has been popular here for a little while. It usually seems to be patches (collarbone/sleeve area etc) on tops and dresses which is really nice. A few months ago on a night out i was feeling a bit playful so wore a sheer blouse but tucked into a high waisted skirt so all tummy areas were covered! :P
Tiffany - University of Pennsylvania
I’m trying to figure out how to incorporate this subtly into my wardrobe — it’s so much fun and yet so risky! I’ll probably end up trying this via creative layering of blouses, camis, skirts, etc.
I think this in conjunction with the lingerie-inspired looks for spring will make for some really interesting outfit ideas :)
Nicole
I would so totally wear outfit two out on a date with my boyfriend.
Natalie
I just find it hard to imagine myself wearing this to a calculus class, microbio lab, or even a party. I can imagine wearing a sheer tulle top (or something) with a shirt or cami underneath, but I really can’t picture myself wearing anything else.
Rachel
I was thinking exactly what you were Tiffany! Definitely think this trend is cool, but I don’t think i’d wear an entirely sheer shirt without at least a tank underneath. I’m thinking designers could do some cool things in terms of sheer patches in shirts (like just the back), but wearing an entirely see through shirt with just a bra underneath would be tooo risky for me, personally. :) Cool post, it’s definitely a source of inspiration.
Leia
Too risqué for me I think!
Kenna
I think the trend works on celebrities and models but that is about it. I personally would never wear sheer clothing, it just doesn’t fit into my lifestyle.
Marisa
I like this trend. However I do think only models and celebrities should wear it the way shown on the pictures and in the outfits you put together. I wear my sheer top with a tanktop underneath so I’m not showing too much. This way I keep the suggestive sexy look, but won’t look tacky.
JG
I really love this trend but I agree…I feel like only celebs and runway models can pull it off. I have a few shirts with sheer sleeves which I love and my one sheer top I always wear with a tank top underneath. I think if you want to do a sheer black top (which I think is the only acceptable sheer piece to do without a tanktop underneath) you need to be sure the black bra underneath has more coverage and isn’t too sexual. The bra on the runway model from the Dior show posted above is perfect. Sadly, my stomach is in no shape to be seen so I’m going to stick with the tanktop underneath :)
lia
Runway trends/celebrity styles are usually toned down a bit for “normal” people, right? I saw this trend and really liked the idea, and it’s actually started showing up in a couple places (well, more toned-down versions), like this dress from target:
http://www.target.com/Rodarte-Target-Juniors-Swiss-Dress/dp/B002ULBKLU
personally, i don’t know if I like the dress above, but I like the idea of the sheer collarbone/sleeves.
Sunshine
I don’t think I could pull it off unless they were sheer puff out short sleeves or the like.
Lub
I was going to post a dress like Lia’s. I love the look of dresses like that it looks so classy. I feel as thought sheer can look very tasteless too, especially when it reveals a lot like Rhianna’s dress.
Lu
I didn’t mean for the b to be added to my name.
kaley
like any runway trend, i think this can work when used in subtle ways. if you arent comfortable with showing a bra or something like that, a lacy tank under a sheer blouse can be really chic!
Holly
I would wear something that’s sheer in the back… in other words, shows the back of a pretty bra. But to me, anything sheer below the waist or in front is just plain skanky and tacky. No way around it. I don’t want to have to explain a mess like that to my future children when they’re looking through old pictures…
Tiia
I have many sheer tops, and I love to wear them ! However, I do wear them with camis underneath.
Suburban Sweetheart
No, no & NO. never. Yuck.
aish
love the trend
looks hot on leighton meester
but i would only do it fro a night out
i have one sheer top which has a bubble hem
lisa
NEVER!!!!
Grace
I think its extremely tacky. The only way I could find a way to work this is with a sheer-ish loose white top, colorful bra and skinnies.
Feebs
I have a floral sheer blouse that im planning to wear with just a black bra underneath! Im very proud of my body and I will cover up completely everywhere else. Just be confident