Just like with everything else that dares and breaks the rules of conservatism, sheer clothing had its own share of snags throughout its controversial existence. But now the same see-through clothing trend has managed to evolve from a seasonal accent into a year-round trend, meeting a fabulous ascent during the Spring/Summer of 2013 and settling in comfortably ever since.
Runways all over the world caving into the alluring aesthetic proves how sheer will manage to work its way into most trends, while also presenting itself as a standalone one. A fact that translated to an automatic increase in both its dominance and wearability.
It’s the trend that dared to bare and won as well. Reckoning its global presence, sheer factor has already marked its impact on retail styles. The popular elements of the trend are lace, tulle, sheer linens, fluid crepes, feather-weight firmer voiles, rounded organzas, net and chiffon. Features like lightweight, transparency and stifftness make “sheer” designer’s an all-time favourite, providing the one wearing it the newest expression divided in between the super-sexual and the super-feminine. These elements have changed the meaning of transparency, making it omnipresent which is suitable from bridal wear to party wear to easy wear.
Here’s what you need to know for the season:
Bare It All
There’s no time like the present to bare it all. The sexiest of black sheer dresses by Gallino left little to the imagination, proving that transparency doesn’t need to be toned down, nor made subtle anymore. On the runways, there was an extra layer or matching lace and tulle lingerie can always make transparency feel more approachable, while still conserving its relevance.
Ultra-feminine Sheer
In order to perfect the look, runways went for lightweight chiffons and nets in pastel shades, bearing just a shred of transparency, showcasing as romantic, floor-sweeping silhouettes of micro pleated skirts and maxi/slip dresses.
Complementary Trends
A playful kind of sheerness juxtaposed against cute ruffles, dainty fabrics, sweet embroideries or prints with flirty silhouettes that always hit above the knees.Alexander Mcqueen and Dolce and Gabbana exercised this mixture of sultriness and simplicity, fusing a hint of pretty prints or embroideries and dainty ruffles on capes and knee-floor length dresses.
Modern Bohemian
The modern bohemian, the gorgeous, free-spirited woman come to adore on and off the runways, with flowy, maxi silhouettes in bold colours, made whole with layers and layers of sheer fabric, and perfected with crochet detailing and statement jewellery. Leading brands in retail business, like Topshop provided an unlimited array of tops displaying partial but admirable use of laces and mesh.
Sports Luxe
The rise of activewear proves, if anything, that sporty-chic clothing has never looked, nor felt better. It’s the unexpected mix of sexy sheer and cool with relaxed silhouettes that created a mark this season. Sacai and Marques tops, dresses, and bralletes with a see-through cover-ups were eye-catching. Models from DKNY runway captured the ramp with a polished look aiming for minimal silhouettes, long lengths and contrasting slip and sporty bralletes underneath for a sassy yet sporty look.
Delicate Indian Touch…
India too witnessed young and mid-aged horde of women flaunting casual and contemporary styles in sheer fabrics .Indian designers were seen experimenting sheer fabric on the wedding collections. For Sabyasachi, replete with avant-garde twists there were jacket- saris , lehengas paired with sheer crop blouses and draped dupattas on contemporary anarkalis . Elaborately detailed long tunics worn over cigarette pants and majestic, flowing backless gowns effortlessly brought the classic and contemporary together.
Recent fashion extravaganza AIFW 2016 with S/S ’17 collections noticed an array of creations with surface textures, embroideries and embellishments on sheer fabrics.
Rina Dhaka collection entailed pretty asymmetrical chic silhouettes of sheer pieces. Rich embroidered sheer skirt lehenga skirts tagged with off rip shoulder tops with net sleeves allured the runway on the first day.
Hemant and Nandita’s collection also showcased intricate lace works, dainty floral embroidery, sheer panels adorned with frills, cut-out backs and signature high neck collars, all exuding Victorian charm and exuberance were a constant throughout the collection.
Gauri and Nainika’s puffed skirts and fluid gowns were all doomed in sheer organzas and silk with an obvious choice of bouncing waves of ruffles, parading flares and frills in the duos signature tulles. On the other hand, Amit Aggarwal’s creations were all about recalling childhood memories with glitter dust, plastic sequins, pressed against sheer fabrics in the hues of all whites, adding a blush of pretty pastels in yellow, green and pink breaking the monotony.
The popular designer JJ Valaya finale show also brought a wave of translucency with concluding drama through flouncy gowns accompanied with tulle ruffles, iridescent black floor grazing silhouettes edged with sheer panels laced with embroidery.