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From Rihanna to Kristen Stewart, it seems like everyone is embracing the sheer look these days. Once a major statement and now a bold trend, sheer pieces are taking over spring and summer fashion. From the streets to the runways and even festivals, see-through numbers are seemingly everywhere and don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.
You may have first noticed the sheer trend in September 2021 during New York Fashion Week, where a number of designers sent models in sheer dresses down the catwalks. Christian Cowan and Maryam Nassir Zadeh showed looks with light fabrics to achieve the see-through effect. We also saw the trend in other parts of the world throughout the seasons. It was a popular choice at Paris Fashion Week in March 2022. There, one of fashion’s biggest names, Bella Hadid modeled not just one, but two sheer looks. The first was from Ludovic De Saint-Sernin’s Fall/Winter 2022 collection and the other, from Coperni’s Fall/Winter 2023 collection.
Beyond the runways, the sheer trend has taken over red carpets, stages, and more. Celebrities like Rachel Zegler, Halsey, Conan Gray, and Lizzo have shown their fashion savvy by sporting their various takes on the trend. Others like Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian took it a step further by opting for sheer catsuits, each giving it their own personal spin. Whether you prefer a classic style like Rachel’s, Halsey’s edgy aesthetic, Conan’s monochromatic look, or Lizzo’s sparkles, the versatile trend can lend itself to anyone’s unique preferences.
That being said, you don’t need a red carpet or special stage to sport this daring trend. It can easily become casual chic. Actor and Coachella style connoisseur, Vanessa Hudgens perfectly demonstrated how to take this trend from the runways and award shows to make it your own. She wore a sparkly, sheer mini dress to attend the festival, playing it down with a swimsuit underneath and accessories including layered jewelry, a cowboy hat, and combat boots.
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While that look hit all the major trends from the sheer dress to the western influence, Vanessa also went for a more timeless boho look that incorporated the see-through style. This time more subtly sheer, she wore a yellow maxi dress with balloon sleeves, for a whimsical spring look with more playful and flirty vibes, perfect for Coachella’s reigning fashion royalty.
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Seeing how Vanessa managed to show us the versatility of the sheer trend all in one weekend, we think it's safe to say that the sheer trend is a worthwhile one. It can be styled in so many different ways, and like all fashion, it’s bound to come back into style. In fact, the current sheer dress trend is already making a return from the 2000s like many other Y2K styles that dominated pop culture at the time. Fashion is cyclical, after all.
If you’ve not already donned the sheer trend, don’t worry! There’s still time to see it through, so we’ve gathered all the bare necessities for you below.
Sheer Dresses
Sheer Tops
Sheer Leggings
Sheer Bodysuits
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