The Ultimate Guide to Wearing the Sheer Dress Trend for the Summer

If there's one thing we've learned from fashion these past few months, it's that the sheer naked dress trend isn't going anywhere — and we're certainly here for it. We've certainly come a long way since the days when women couldn't even wear bikinis to public swimming pools, let alone the beach. But trying out the naked dress trend in 2024 is easy when both the red carpet and the runway have provided so many looks for inspiration. Case in point: Bella Hadid's barely-there Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello Fall/Winter 2024, the sheer dress she chose to wear for her 2024 Cannes Film Festival red carpet comeback. From Megan Fox's sultry crystal-embellished Mugler dress at the 2021 VMAs to Florence Pugh's completely see-through gown at Valentino's Fall/Winter 2022 Haute Couture show, celebrities have led the way in the naked dress revival. But if Hadid's Cannes look taught us anything, it's that the way to wear the sheer dress trend this summer is to take a decidedly minimalist approach.

You might think it's Rose McGowan's (controversially) iconic naked dress from the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards. But it's actually the bedazzled, skin-tight dress Marilyn Monroe wore while singing "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy in 1962 that set the precedent for how to wear the sheer naked dress trend. Since then, celebrities and designers alike have continually pushed the boundaries with the nude look, incorporating everything from strategically placed embellishments to sheer fabrics. 

Fast forward to today, the sheer naked dress trend has been embraced wholeheartedly—despite its haters—and it has become a staple in celebrity wardrobes, from casual outings to red carpet events.

With the temperatures rising, it's time to dial down the layers. Don't know how to wear the sheer naked dress trend with confidence this summer? Don't fret, L'OFFICIEL has you covered with the ultimate style inspo lookbook for incorporating sheer fabrics into your wardrobe for the warmer days ahead. Whether you're aiming for a subtle hint of skin or a bold, head-turning statement, there's no doubt you'll make a stylish and sophisticated entrance wherever you might sport the trend.