Diaphanous and delicate, sheer dressing continues to push runway boundaries season after season. It’s a style that’s constantly reinventing itself, so there is always something new to try.
The fad is also one way to get a look that is daring but not overexposed, unless, of course, you want to go all out. Your choice entirely.
But at the risk of sounding a bit old-fashioned, we don’t agree on total exposure. The goal here is tasteful, not trashy.
Anyway, here’s a selection of the transparent trend from some of the latest designer collections.
Most interesting, perhaps, is Saint Laurent’s take on sheer dressing for its Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection.
Read more: What is elevated femininity and why is fashion embracing this trend now?
Several heavily shoulder- padded shirts are veiled by sheer, reflective silk-and-nylon overlays, lending the looks an airy, almost liquid quality that feels strikingly modern.
Sensual yet restrained, Saint Laurent’s exploration of transparency is simply captivating.
Valentino’s interpretation of the sheer trend comes in the form of a sliver of lace-trimmed petticoat peeking through the slit of a silk satin pink dress.
Likely sewn into the garment itself, the delicate detail makes the feminine design feel evenmore alluring.
Then there is a long, flowing black skirt in a sheer material, styled with an oversized fur parka in canary yellow from Elie Saab.
We love the interplay of softness, texture and transparency, which offers a fresh take on seasonal layering.
Local designer Afiq Mohamed, mastermind behind the brand Afiq M, showcases a soft and hard aesthetic that features a skin-tone dress artfully sculpted in burgundy tulle.
The transparent tulle lends the creation a look that is both ethereal and alluring.
The finishing piece? A leather bolero in burgundy, which gives the ensemble a sharp, edgy contrast. What a brilliant study in contrast.
For Spring/Summer 2026, French brand Maje revisits the colour white through fluid cuts and a relaxed attitude.
Read more: Fashion asks again, is it finally time to embrace wearing socks with sandals?
This includes a spaghetti-strapped minidress, extended into a longer silhouette with a sheer, floral-embroidered overlay.
A timeless creation, this delicate number beautifully balances chic minimalism with a romantic twist.
Diaphanous gets the dazzling treatment at Prada by way of a see-through black sleeveless dress worn over a lavender cropped top and black skirt.
The shimmering bit appears in the form of sparkling sequin and bead embellishments on the gossamer black outer layer.
What’s interesting is that this translucent piece could be used as an accent layer for other separates in the wardrobe. Talk about sheer versatility.
