The Rise of Sheer Fashion on the Red Carpet
Six months ago, a viral TikTok trend had us obsessed with being demure and mindful. However, modesty has now taken a back seat, as see-through outfits have taken over red carpets and catwalks.
At the Brit Awards last week, big winner Charli XCX made waves by wearing a sheer black dress. The outfit sparked hundreds of complaints to media watchdog Ofcom. During one of her acceptance speeches, Charli addressed the controversy, saying, “I heard that ITV were complaining about my nipples. I feel like we’re in the era of ‘free the nipple’ though, right?”
Sheer Dresses at Major Award Ceremonies
The nearly naked look has been a hot topic at other award ceremonies, too. At the Oscars and the Grammys in February, Kanye West’s girlfriend Bianca Censori stunned everyone by dropping her coat on the red carpet, revealing an almost entirely invisible dress.
The trend continued at London and Paris fashion weeks, with several celebrities joining in. At Stella McCartney’s Paris show, US actress Paris Jackson wore a translucent black off-the-shoulder maxi dress with a nude thong underneath. Rapper Ice Spice also sported a black lace catsuit with a feathered coat.
Naked dressing has become a staple in designers’ spring/summer and autumn/winter collections, with Vogue noting in January that sheer looks are now commonplace every season.
The Fashion Industry Embraces Sheer Materials
Dior’s latest collection embraced see-through material in an ethereal way, featuring intricate detailing and gender-fluid silhouettes. Creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri explained that the collection “demonstrates how clothing affirms cultural, aesthetic, and social codes.”
Sheer dressing is reminiscent of the minimalist fashion of the 1990s, like Kate Moss wearing a slip dress. The trend also had a resurgence in the early 2010s, particularly with Rihanna’s sheer crystal-embellished dress at the 2014 CFDA Awards.
Mixed Reactions to Sheer Fashion Choices
Charli XCX’s outfit at the Brit Awards sparked divided opinions. Some on social media praised her for challenging societal expectations, while others felt it was too risque for prime-time TV. Ofcom received 825 complaints, with many viewers objecting to Charli’s outfit and Sabrina Carpenter’s pre-watershed performance.
Challenging Fashion Norms and Women’s Rights
Fashion stylist Julia Pukhalskaia sees revealing outfits as a “provocative statement” and a way for women to reclaim control over their bodies. The controversy feeds into a broader conversation about women’s rights and dress codes.
Abhi Madan, creative director of Amarra, believes the trend is about embracing freedom and boldness in fashion. “It’s not just about exposure,” she says. “It’s a movement toward body positivity and challenging conventional fashion norms.”
Men and the Naked Dress Trend
While the trend is still mainly associated with women, some men have joined in. Timothée Chalamet wore a backless red top at the 2022 Venice Film Festival, and Harry Styles freed the nipple at the 2023 Grammys in a plunging harlequin jumpsuit.
A Divisive Trend
The debate over nearly naked dressing is likely to continue. Some view it as a step toward redefining modesty in fashion, while others argue it’s rooted in misogyny or simply a ploy for attention. Regardless, celebrities will keep making waves with their bold fashion choices, and society remains divided over their impact.
Article souse :-BBC
