2026 is shaping up to be the year of unapologetic, skin-baring looks By Manish Mishra
So far, it’s been a year of oozing unabashed oomph with a flurry of see-through looks on the red carpet. After a brief spell of restrained glamour, celebrities and their styling team plunged into a frenzy of bold self-expression opting for an array of sensually-charged ensembles. Daring, diaphanous and dazzling. The memo has been clear—it’s not just about breaking the Internet with a subversive look which throws the onlookers off-kilter but also carving a distinctive place in fashion history. Historically, the naked dress has long been a red-carpet mainstay—see-through numbers leave little to the imagination. Year after year at significant annual events like the Oscars and the Vanity Fair after-party, Hollywood A-listers and mega pop stars tend to go all out bringing in drama, chutzpah and panache. Enter the naked dress: which reveals and conceals in equal measure and sparks off conversations, memes and tutorials.
Oozing oomph at the Oscars
Early this year, on the Oscars red carpet, the ‘90s minimal screen goddess and Goop Founder—Gwyneth Paltrow shocked and seduced in a custom Armani Privé gown which looked like a simple column gown from the front but had no fabric on the side. The seasoned actor and style risk-taker didn’t shy away from baring skin on the sides. And this was no exception. Best Actress nominee Renate Reinsve was a vision in a custom red look by Nicolas Ghesquière for Louis Vuitton, which had a dangerously high, pelvage-baring slit. Sweet yet sexy. Presenter Zendaya too cut a stunning figure in a custom chocolate-brown off-shoulder Louis Vuitton which had a revealing side panel. Are side boobs the new erogenous zone or is that an understatement?
At the Vanity Fair After Party, too, guests pushed the envelope when it came to adventurous dressing. Think cutouts, sheer bodices and gravity-defying high slits. Naomi Watts wore a sparkly Balenciaga fall 2026 one-shoulder dress by Pierpaolo Piccioli which looked sensational as it had no fabric on the side and a thigh-high slit. Style savant and actor-film producer Robert Pattinson’s significant other—Suki Waterhouse wore a Tamara Ralph Spring 2026 couture ensemble comprising an itsy-bitsy bejewelled bodice. Almost like a piece of jewellery barely covering the breasts. The fashion pro that Waterhouse is, she made it work!
Dior’s global ambassador Anya Taylor-Joy looked stunning in a noir John Galliano negligee-like romper that was pretty revealing. However, Amelia Gray’s daring outfit managed to outshine everyone else. A halter backless gown from Revolve that exposed her taut back and a hint of the side boob. Competing with her look closely was Devon Lee Carlson’s bias-cut gown which featured a thigh high slit revealing the butt.
In fact, men too weren’t far behind when it came to the skin show. Australian singer-songwriter and actor Troye Sivan went shirtless in a Tom Ford look by Haider Ackermann, with trousers that featured a slit on the hip. Also worth mentioning are the Heated Rivalry (2025) stars (or should we say Internet’s beloved boyfriends?)—Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams who showed up in see-through looks revealing their chiselled physiques.
Evolution of the naked dress
While one’s on the subject, it’s worth delving into the history of the naked dress. The timeless Cher’s name is the first thing that comes to mind. No one embraced sheer better than Cher. Who can forget her impossibly sexy Bob Mackie number which she wore to the 1988 Oscars, where she clinched the Best Actress statue for Moonstruck (1987). Chic, controversial and seductive. After this game-changing seminal look became a trendsetter, global design houses like Gucci, Dior, Alexander McQueen, and Armani Privé have created transparent dresses for winners, nominees, and presenters attending the Academy Awards and other red-carpet events.
More recently, design houses like Saint Laurent, Gucci, Versace and Tom Ford by Haider Ackermann have rooted for uninhibited bold self-expression by proposing sheer, bold and seductive dresses, gowns and trouser suits. Saint Laurent’s artistic director Anthony Vaccarello has been at the forefront of the naked wave churning out come-hither, barely-there slinky dresses, skirts and pussybow blouses recalling the founder’s penchant for scandal. Recently supermodel Kate Moss rocked the hell out of a leather and lace dress at the Saint Laurent Menswear Fall 2026 show. Gucci’s current Artistic Director Demna has paved the way for sheer dressing too by reimagining archival Tom Ford after-dark glamour in his own handwriting. The house’s Fall Winter 2026 showcase sent out an array of lace dresses, logo tights and gowns with backless detailing. Dario Vitale’s debut collection for Versace too brought back ‘80s muscle tees, bodycon tanks and micro shorts bringing to mind Gianni’s earlier works.
FSP’s sheer audacity!
Back home, Falguni Shane Peacock has single handedly nailed the sheer trend for over a decade now—from dressing Hollywood glamazons to global pop stars to Bollywood screen legends. Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Paris Hilton and our very own Priyanka Chopra have stayed loyal to FSP’s timeless appeal steeped in sensual glamour. The house’s recent collection Raj Mahal Bijoux—The Palace of Jewels underscored the beauty of transparency by playing out sheer floor-length capes which offset the brand’s signature feathered gowns beautifully. The storied house has long been beloved for its statement-making, long, beaded veils and dupattas which add a hint of mystery and intrigue to the bridal ensembles. Moreover, the house’s mesh and beaded couture saree gowns with placement-oriented texturing have been the go-to bridal picks for FSP’s growing legions of new-age fans, who value craftsmanship without compromising on drama.
It’s seemingly evident that the sheer trend is here to stay and it’d be interesting to see how it evolves in the coming seasons.