The Naked-Dress Trend Is Now So Naked That It’s Barely There at All

The naked-dress trend is back, people, and it’s more naked than ever. Whilst this look doesn’t ever seem to fade away, it’s definitely packing quite the punch for 2023. We’ve seen various iterations of the trend over the years, but right now, it seems to fit in one of two different camps: a skin-colour, body-con dress; or a barely-there dress that’s transparent, sheer or has a strategically placed piece of material (or even a combination of all three). 

Cher wearing a dress by designer Bob Mackie at the Met Gala in 1974

The naked dress has a long history, of course. Those who are big Cher fans (and who isn’t?) will recall the star’s dedication to creations by designer Bob Mackie, who regularly designed risqué items for the singer. Before that, however, there was Marilyn Monroe’s infamous sheer dress she wore in 1962 to sing happy birthday to President John F. Kennedy. Of course, this dress was recently (and somewhat infamously) worn by Kim Kardashian to the Met Gala last year. 

Marilyn Monroe singing happy birthday to President John F. Kennedy wearing a sheer dress

The coolest takes on it—and perhaps my personal favourites—include Jane Birkin in 1969 and Kate Moss in 1993 both wearing sheer dresses with black knickers. It’s the more understated way of doing the nude-dress trend. 

But in recent years, this trend has gone full glamour. Rihanna’s 2014 CFDA look and Beyoncé’s Met Gala 2015 dress by Givenchy made headlines for being pretty naked. In 2019, Kim Kardashian’s wet-look Mugler creation definitely ticked off the naked-dress trend box thanks to its body-con aesthetic and colour. 

Jane Birkin’s naked dress she wore to the premiere of Slogan in 1969 

Over the past couple of months, I’ve spotted loads of naked dresses on the red carpet, which proves that this trend is officially back. First Megan Fox wore a Mugler frock (another wet-look gown from the designer) to the VMAs. Then at the Met Gala, we were treated to a variety of barely-there dresses at the Met Gala—Olivia Wilde wore a showstopper dress, However, the ones leading the pack on the naked-dress trend here were Kendall Jenner’s pretty diamanté Givenchy gown and Zoe Kravitz’s mesh Saint Laurent dress. 

Kate Moss wearing a sheer dress at the Look of the Year Contest in 1993

Normally, I’d give you some tips on how to do the trend IRL, but this is quite the tricky look to pull off down your local. Instead, if this is something you’re drawn to, perhaps it’s worth taking inspiration from the current looks and toning it down so you won’t look so conspicuous when drinking a glass of rosé. Keep scrolling to see the current naked-dress looks and then shop my edit of naked dresses.

Style Notes: For the Academy Museum Gala, Olivia Wilde wore a show-stopping sheer crystal dress with a contrasting pink feather hem. The long sleeves and shoulder pads balance out this risqué look. 

Style Notes: Emily Ratajkowski stepped out at W magazine’s 50th-anniversary celebration in a sequin-adorned fishnet dress. The sheer ensemble was accompanied by a satin underwear set to add some coverage. 

Style Notes: Though Bella’s look isn’t sheer, it still falls in our favourites list with the deep plunging neckline that almost reaches her navel. 

Style Notes: One of the coolest looks from the Met Gala 2021, Zoe Kravitz’s Saint Laurent mesh frock is barely there, but she still manages to look super sophisticated. 

Style Notes: While Kendall Jenner’s frock is definitely in the naked category, it’s actually based off Audrey Hepburn’s look in My Fair Lady. 

Style Notes: This is perhaps the ultimate naked dress, to be honest. Sheer, skin coloured, and leaves very little to the imagination, Megan Fox knows how to embrace this trend to the max. 

Style Notes: A more subtle take on the trend, this is still very much a naked dress. The skin-tone frock from Balmain has been created in leather, giving it a wet look for Zendaya’s red carpet moment.

Style Notes: Don’t forget about Rihanna’s CFDA moment in 2014.

Style Notes: Beyoncé’s take on the naked-dress trend meant going for a sheer gown with strategically placed flowers on her Givenchy gown. 

Before Kim Kardashian wore Marilyn Monroe’s sheer dress, she turned heads in this creation by Mugler. 

Earlier this summer, one of our favourite style crushes Sienna Miller stepped out in a stunning Fendi Couture S/S 23 gown, proving that the trend can be just as pretty as it is sexy.

Rihanna wears a vintage Jean Paul Gaultier see-through dress from the S/S 01 collection.

Alexa dazzled outside Buckingham Palace in a barely-there sequinned dress. 

Influencer royalty Camille wears a sheer lace to the latter part of her wedding. 

Lizzo combines sheer fabric with beautiful crystals to create a naked dress worthy of any party setting. 

Alyssa takes a Gucci mini dress and pairs it with opaque tights and knee boots for a cool new spin. 

Sheer panelling will help you achieve the naked dress aesthetic, only with slightly more coverage. 

Hailey Bieber showcases a sparkly 16Arlington naked dress for the launch of her skincare label, Rhode. 

This vintage printed Jean Paul Gaultier maxi is a different stance on the naked-dress trend. 

Naked dresses arguably look their chicest with high necklines and long hemlines.