It’s 6 pm and the red carpet has begun. You’re somewhere in the crowd, taking note of attendees and their glamorous outfits. One strikes you from a distance. Her thighs, flat tummy, and upper bust glimmer from her nude-colored sheer dress, revealing her beige underwear.
As you move closer to get a better view of this stunning woman, you see you aren’t the only one mesmerized by her beauty.
The cameras are flashing at her. The men are gazing at her. Other women aren’t left out. For some, their eyes dilate with utter disapproval while a few have a glint of admiration in their eyes.
You don’t care what they think about her. You instead admire her beautiful boldness.
That’s the kind of reaction outfits like that get.
It takes some level of guts to wear a transparent dress in public. Even though the trend has become normal in today’s world, you’ll agree with me some people still deem it risqué.
But should you cower to their standards or wear what you love? Should you damn their opinions and express your style even if it means donning a sheer dress and giving the world sneak bits of your alluring body?
The answer to the above questions is none other than:
Do what suits your style.
If your style is to go all sheer or flash a little amount of skin, by all means, do so. As you’ll learn in this article, you can rock a sheer dress, top, or pair of pants in different ways with or without baring your whole body.
Wondering how?
It’s simple and I’ll show you how to pull off anything sheer without feeling shy as you garner stares of admiration (and disapproval, too).
Come with me.
What is Sheer Clothing?
If you are a fan of body positivity and skin-baring clothes, sheer dresses must be on your to-wear list. These clothes are see-through made with transparent fabrics such as tulle, crochet, chiffon, organza, sheer silk, organdy, georgette, lace, gauze, batiste, cotton lawn, voile, sheer nylon, sheer polyester, netting, mesh, muslin, etc.
They often come as tops, dresses, skirts, jumpsuits, and pants.
These clothes are statement pieces. Wearing them down the street or anywhere means you’re ready for the attention it brings.
And if you really are, let’s see…
How to Pull off Sheer Dress, Top, or Bottoms Outfits
Sheer dresses are fun pieces perfect for promoting confidence without giving off an indecent vibe. It all boils down to what you wear underneath or over your sheer clothing.
Base layers and outerwear add a subtle feel of modesty to transparent clothing. Celebrity Stylist, Danyul Brown, said it best in an interview with Instyle:
“With the right undergarments and base layers, sheer clothing can have a place in any wardrobe — even ones that lean more towards the modest side.”
Danyul Brown
So, don’t write off sheer dresses off because you think they’re too risque for you. Rock them to achieve a modest or daring look (depending on your personal style) by using these tips:
1. Start Small
Instead of going all in to wear a 100% sheer dress, start with one little piece of see-through clothing or clothes with minimal transparent parts.
This could be sheer tops, bottoms, or dresses that are half-see-through and half-covered.
Do this and you’ll exude an edgy style without entirely leaving your comfort zone.
2. Choose the Best Base Layers for Your Sheer Top
If you plan to don a sheer top, keep a black or beige bra handy. This can be a strapless, bandeau, lacy bra, sports bra, or any bra that suits the style of your top.
You can also wear a nude bra or one that’s the same color as your top.
And if you aren’t comfortable baring your bra, wear a tank top or singlet over it. This way, what they see underneath your transparent top is the tank top and not your skin or bra.
3. Wear Base Layers for Your Sheer Bottoms
For see-through skirts, shorts, or pants, you have a number of base layers to choose from. The best include high-rise briefs, bum shorts, short tights, leggings, jeans, bodysuits, or miniskirts.
High-waisted briefs help to cover your stomach and butt areas while leggings and jeans completely cover your lower body.
Bum shorts and mini skirts act as little layers of coverage for your lower body. They are short enough to flaunt your thighs down to your legs and long enough to cover your waist and bum while highlighting your sheer clothing.
Similarly, bodysuits don’t just cover your lower body. They act as a top for your upper body, making one needless unless you’re layering.
4. Wear Base Layers for Your Sheer Dress
What you wear underneath your sheer dress largely depends on how much skin you want to bare. Let’s look at some of them.
Matching Set of High-waisted Briefs and Bra/ Tank Top
This option lets you cover your lower body while still showing a modest amount of skin. And if you don’t wanna bare your belly, consider wearing a tank top with your high-rise briefs.
No briefs available? Not a problem. Pair your tank top with short tights, a miniskirt, or bum shorts. But make it a matching set for more effects.
Wear a Slip Dress Underneath
Is your dress so sheer that you can’t risk wearing it out? Don’t give up on it. Use it to layer a short slip dress and go turn heads.
Wear a Bodysuit Underneath
This is a great option if you want something tight-fitting that covers your body well enough to create a decent sheer dress look. Wear a sleeveless or full-sleeved bodysuit if you want. Anyone is fine.
Use Your Sheer Dress to Layer Another Outfit
You can also use your sheer dress to layer a complete outfit. This includes bottoms such as leggings, bum shorts, jeans, skirts, etc., with full coverage tops or crop tops.
Leggings, skirts, or jeans will cover your lower body to a large extent. Know what this means? You can flash your upper body without appearing too revealing.
Wear with Your Beach Wear
You can also use your sheer dress to layer your bikini when next you go chill at the beach. For more effects, under-layer with underwear that matches your skin color.
This way, you create an illusion of no underwear and make more eyes bulge with the thought that you have nothing underneath your transparent dress.
5. Layer Your Sheer outfits
Layering isn’t just stylish or handy for cold climates. It’s a hack for looking modest when wearing something sheer.
So, don’t hesitate to wear a suit jacket, shirt, denim jacket, or blazer over your sheer dress, top, pants, or skirt.
You can also hang a sweater around your neck or wear a slip dress or pinafore over a see-through top.
6. Just…Damn What They Say
While these tips are here to guide you, they don’t change one fact:
Fashion has no rules.
So, if you feel you’ll be far from yourself by following these tips, feel free to do you even if it means wearing your sheer dress with thongs or only one piece of underwear.
You’ll turn heads, break the Internet and get tongues wagging. But…
So long as you feel confident and comfortable enough to pull it off, knock yourself out.
Don’t leave yet though. Feast your eyes on some sheer outfits we couldn’t resist curating for you.
