I love wearing current trends, such as sheer dresses with nice lingerie underneath. I think it can be done elegantly and tastefully. Unfortunately, the places I visit and the people I know are far more conservative than I. So is it scandalous to wear a chic see-through dress to, say, a New England golf club cocktail party? Do I risk being ostracized? — Anna, Washington, D.C.
While being completely ostracized is unlikely, wearing a sheer dress to a conservative event could certainly make you the center of attention—and not always in the way you intend. The ‘naked dress’ trend has persisted on red carpets, thanks to its show-stopping nature, but translating it to everyday life requires a more nuanced approach. For celebrities, the goal is often to generate buzz, but for most people, the stakes are different.
For A-listers like Dakota Johnson in sheer blue Gucci, Margot Robbie in embroidered Armani Privé, or Beyoncé in Givenchy at the Met Gala, transparent gowns are a powerful statement. Rihanna’s daring sheer Adam Selman look at the 2014 CFDA awards even helped ignite the current fascination (though Marilyn Monroe’s ‘Happy Birthday’ dress holds a place in history too). However, this celebrity embrace of transparent fashion has also sparked controversy, notably at the Cannes Film Festival, where officials felt compelled to ban nudity on the red carpet and other festival areas due to the increasing prevalence of the ‘naked look.’
Debates around public or semi-public exposure are hardly new, stretching back to Lady Godiva’s legendary ride. Fashion history is dotted with moments of designers pushing boundaries, like Yves Saint Laurent’s groundbreaking sheer tops in 1966. More recently, Florence Pugh made headlines with her bold sheer Valentino ensemble in 2022, reigniting conversations about appropriate attire.
Meredith Koop, Michelle Obama’s stylist and co-author of ‘The Look,’ offered a thoughtful perspective. When asked about sheer dressing, she noted, ‘There are a lot of nuanced conversations we could have about women, exposure, safety, history, trend, misogyny, control, subjugation and brainwashing.’
Primarily, she believes these discussions highlight ‘revealing people’s narrow apertures of what women should wear, more than revealing skin’—a keen observation on societal expectations rather than just fabric choices.
Whether rooted in a Puritanical past or a conservative present, this reality, however unfair, exists. While it’s empowering to embrace your body and personal style, choosing a transparent outfit for settings like a conservative country club, a religious ceremony, or a Washington cocktail party might lead to unintended consequences. It’s wise to consider the potential reactions from those who may be less comfortable with such fashion choices.
The main repercussion? Your ensemble could overshadow your personality, accomplishments, or charm, becoming the primary topic of conversation for days or even years. This often comes with unprompted assumptions about your values and intentions behind your fashion statement.
Crisis consultant Risa Heller echoed this sentiment, stating, ‘There is only one chance to make a first impression.’ She advised against shocking people with an outfit that signals a misunderstanding of the environment or cultural norms, unless making such a provocative statement is the explicit goal. Otherwise, she warned, ‘you are doing yourself a disservice.’
However, there are elegant ways to approach this trend without overstepping. Ms. Koop recommends strategic layering: ‘a bustier or sheer turtleneck under a chic oversize blazer or a great leather jacket.’ For those new to the look, she suggested, ‘maybe just show a little peek’ to ease into the experimentation. This cautious approach might even subtly broaden others’ perceptions of what constitutes ‘appropriate’ attire.
Ultimately, as Ms. Koop eloquently put it, ‘You might inspire someone else to express themselves more authentically, to lean into what feels aligned for them.’
Your Fashion Quandaries, Demystified
Each week in ‘Ask Vanessa,’ our fashion expert answers reader questions. Feel free to submit your own style dilemmas; questions are edited for clarity and length.