The Right (and Wrong) Ways to Wear Sheer

It’s a tricky trend, so let’s all learn from the celebs who managed to pull off revealing looks (Halle Berry, Miranda Kerr, Rumer Willis) and those who should try again (side-eye at Lindsay Lohan, Ke$ha and January Jones)
By Zoe Ruderman
Updated April 30, 2013 10:00 AM

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DON'T THINK OF IT AS FABRIC REPLACEMENT

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Even without the translucent overlay, LaLa Vasquez’s dress works (the addition of it just adds some sexy appeal). But Jonathan Saunders midi leaves us wondering if the designer simply ran out of fabric.

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SKIP THE BRA (IF IT'S A DISTRACTION)

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When we look at Monique Lhuillier gown with the black lace panels, all we’re thinking about is how gorgeous she looks. When we look at Ellen Pompeo’s outfit with similar black lace panels, all we’re thinking about is her visible bra.

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GO FOR TRANSLUCENT, NOT TRANSPARENT

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At least when it comes to tops (and anything else beyond cutouts and overlays). Rumer Willis’s white blouse is sexy without being overtly so since you get just a hint of the black bra underneath. Adrienne Bailon’s top, though, gives way more than a hint.

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CHOOSE FORMFITTING OVER BAGGY

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You’d think that tempering the sexiness of a sheer piece with a looser silhouette would make sense, but as Nicole Richie (in Emilio Pucci) and (in Valentino) prove, tight and see-through beat baggy and see-through.

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STOP AT THE SLEEVES

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Miranda Kerr gives her long-sleeve, demure top some flirty appeal by showing off her arms and leaving the rest to the imagination. Perrey Reeves, however, apparently doesn’t have a lot of faith in our powers of imagination.

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PLEASE DON'T WEAR SHEER PANTS

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We looked at hundreds of photos and we can confirm there is no right way to wear them. Whether formfitting or loose, tapered or flared, solid or floral-embellished, under a skirt or over purple undies, Ke$ha and are evidence that pants are meant to be opaque. Period.

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