Sheer dresses are no longer solely reserved for the red-carpet wanderers. For SS25, the barely there transparent frock has become a veritable trend for the likes of you and me, too. But, as to be expected, wearing the style takes a little more consideration than your standard summer dress, whether you're choosing to wear it for a wedding, a beach holiday or even to the office. Yes, really — the sheer dress has boardroom potential.
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There was once a time when a celebrity looking to make headlines with a red-carpet look would prioritise a dress that flashed as much flesh as possible. Think Rihanna in Adam Selman or Beyoncé in Givenchy. These dresses were scene-stealers that have since gone on to define our era in red-carpet dressing but after too much emulation, the trope grew tired. As a fashion writer I simply ran out of new ways to write and report on a famous face choosing something sheer.
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Yet, here in 2025 a new case is being made for it and I'm intrigued.
On the SS25 runway, dresses made in transparent fabrications came thick and fast from labels including 16Arlington (bodycon in citrus brights), Alaïa (impossibly delicate rosy peach) and Chloé (typically boho). But it was Simone Rocha, continuing her long-standing appreciation for sheer, that perhaps did it best. Her take came in multiples, with sheer dress looks made up in midnight black and almost undetectable nudes.
How To Wear A Sheer Dress
The trick to convincingly pulling off a sheer dress this summer comes down to a number of factors that make it a charming choice over something that reads too risqué. On the runway, the primary decree was to choose a sheer dress that falls at least just beyond the knee. This isn't just a case of ensuring modesty but the more fabric, the more drama.
What you wear underneath counts and it doesn't always have to be a slip dress. Instead, consider a skirt and a bandeau top to allow a subtle reveal of the torso, or bring a tomboyish sensibility to the otherwise romantic sensibility of chiffony textures by wearing shorts or a jumpsuit underneath. A graphic tee worn under is also a street-style favourite and the same goes with prints or patterns, like a Breton stripe.
When it comes to accessorising, offset the sheer with chunky pieces like XXL sliders or a roomy tote bag. Sheer dresses also look particularly great when layered with a chest of great necklaces. Or, in the case of Simone Rocha, with pockets filled with flowers.
The Best Sheer Dresses To Buy This Summer
Simone Rocha Tulle Midi Dress
Chloé Sheer Silk Mini Dress
Noir Kei Ninomiya Sheer Tulle Dress
Mango Silk-Blend Sheer Dress
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