For quite some time, we have been noticing the hide and seek games that celebrities like to play with their sartorial choices. Even at prestigious red carpet dos and award nights, the daring stars don’t hesitate in showing off their well-sculpted bodies carefully wrapped in fineries. From dramatic outfits of Lady Gaga and Harry Styles at the MET gala to the sizzling evening gowns donned by A-listers like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid etc. At the 2019 Cannes film festival — sheer fabrics played a crucial role in accentuating the sexual appeal of these global celebrities.
When it comes to high-end celebrity fashion trends, sheer fabrics like tulle, organza, lace, and mull are used by designers to enhance the X factor of an ensemble. Designer Saaksha, mentions, “Organza works really well when it comes to the sheer effect as it is both lightweight and transparent. It also retains colour and print very well and has the delicacy and femininity required for sheerness. For colours, skin coloured fabrics are considered sexy for sheerness but personally, we love to play with bright colours such as pinks and oranges that add an element of fun rather than the clichéd sexiness.”
Kendall Jenner
Sheerness can be incorporated in many different ways — for example, it can be added as the bottom layer to a slip dress to add sexiness. It can be added to sleeves where modest covering is required. It can be added to necklines, again for modesty yet sexiness, and on the sides for ultra-sexiness, highlights designer Kinni. She adds, “A sheer blouse always works well with pencil skirts and fitted trousers. The bottom adds fabric and length to balance the sexiness of the top half sheerness. It also works as necklines for gowns that require extra glamour. Sheer layers are always a fun addition – sheer capes over jeans and a cami, sheer coats over ensembles, and sheer organza belts draped around dresses.”
Make sure the sheerness is well balanced with the other pieces you have paired it with. Less is less when it comes to too much sheerness, and there is a very thin line between sexiness and vulgarity. Designer Nikasha remarks, “Sheers are best worn with deeper colours and or bright pop colours paired with opaque bottoms. Rule of thumb — keep sheer 25-30 per cent of your entire outfit, as it is a bit dicey so do always ensure that it’s well tailored and ironed and finished.”
A model wearing a Mishru dress
Sheer outfits tend to make an illusion of bare skin in a lot of outfits, especially when they are in the shades of nude. It gives a great effect and also helps to hold the silhouette together. For designer Swapna Anumolu, the best sheer fabric to work with is tulle. “You can use sheer fabrics on sleeves as well as on back while designing an outfit. You can also play around with excessive quantities of tulle for the red carpet drama. Pick up a long sheer skirt and wear it over a shift dress, or match a sheer oversized t-shirt on a tank top and fitted pants. While wearing a slim fit dress, you can also add sheer fabric leggings to your outfit. If you are bold enough, you can rock sheer shirt top on a bralette. The most important tip for wearing sheer out is that you should always make sure you are comfortable and confident before you step out in public,” sums up Swapna Anumolu.
