This “Daring” Summer Shirt Trend Never Scared VIPs, So I Gave It a Go
Our take
The cyclical nature of fashion is rarely as blatant as the resurgence of a trend previously deemed “daring.” This recent embrace of sheer, or nearly sheer, summer shirts by high-profile figures, as documented in Marie Claire’s piece, is a fascinating microcosm of the current fashion landscape. It speaks to a shift away from overtly aggressive displays of wealth and a move towards a more nuanced, almost understated, sensuality. The article’s focus on the accessibility of the trend—achieved through strategic layering with a bralette—is key. It’s not about unattainable luxury, but about empowering individuals to interpret and adopt a trend in a way that feels authentic to their personal style. This echoes the sentiments explored in [The Trendiest Fall 2026 Nail Colors Are Earthy, Elevated, and Effortless], which highlights a broader movement towards quiet sophistication and a rejection of maximalism. The willingness to experiment with transparency, previously reserved for the runway or red carpet, now feels like a natural evolution of personal style, particularly within the context of the more grounded aesthetics showcased in [5 Styling Lessons to Steal From Copenhagen Fashion Week Street Style], where personal expression takes precedence over aspirational ideals.
The key to understanding this shift lies in the evolving definition of "confidence" within fashion. Historically, displays of boldness often involved overtly provocative clothing, designed to shock or demand attention. However, today's confidence manifests in a more self-assured, less performative way. The sheer shirt, when styled thoughtfully, becomes an exercise in subtle self-expression rather than a blatant attempt at provocation. It’s a display of comfort in one’s own skin, an acknowledgement of femininity without resorting to cliché. The pairing with a bralette, rather than a more structured or revealing undergarment, further reinforces this idea—it’s a deliberate choice that softens the impact and allows for a more sophisticated interpretation. This aligns with the broader cultural conversation around reclaiming femininity on one's own terms, moving away from societal pressures and embracing individuality. The recent embrace of bloomers by Dua Lipa, as seen in [Dua Lipa Made Bloomers Look Surprisingly Chic in Italy], also exemplifies this tendency – taking a previously unconventional garment and transforming it into a symbol of effortless cool.
Furthermore, this trend’s appeal to VIPs (Very Important People) signals a significant change in how luxury is perceived. Gone are the days when overt displays of wealth were the primary markers of status. Today, true luxury is often associated with understated elegance, impeccable taste, and a quiet confidence that doesn't require external validation. The ability to pull off a seemingly daring trend with grace and sophistication is a testament to this refined sensibility. It's about knowing how to dress, not just what to wear; it’s about curating a personal style that reflects inner values and a deep understanding of aesthetics. The rise of “quiet luxury” as a dominant aesthetic reinforces this, emphasizing quality, craftsmanship, and timeless design over fleeting trends and conspicuous consumption. This shift is a direct response to a growing consumer desire for authenticity and a rejection of the performative aspects of social media culture.
Looking ahead, it’s worth considering whether this embrace of transparency will extend beyond summer shirts and into other categories. Will we see sheer fabrics incorporated into more structured garments, blurring the lines between revealing and concealing? Or will this trend remain a seasonal phenomenon, a fleeting moment of daring experimentation? The most likely scenario is a continued evolution towards subtle sensuality and a focus on individual interpretation. The key will be maintaining the balance between confidence and taste, ensuring that the trend remains empowering rather than exploitative. Ultimately, this summer’s sheer shirt moment serves as a reminder that fashion is not about rigid rules, but about expressing oneself with intention and grace.
My fellow A-List Edit stand-ins, style director Sara Holzman and interim senior fashion news editor Irina Grechko, set a high bar for me this month, after testing the babydoll dress and track shorts trends. But as Marie Claire’s resident celebrity style spotter, all summer I had my eye on the It top of VIP fashion girls: the sheer shirt. If it could turn heads on the street style circuit, what would it do in my midwestern neck of the woods?
If I’ve learned anything from professionally waxing poetic about naked red carpet dresses, it’s that A-listers stay loyal to the sheer trend all year long. For me, however, August felt like the best time to dip my toe into transparent tops, because the forecasts are simply too sweltering for opaque options. Luckily, I already had a moodboard of my favorite celebrity looks.
The Nearly-Naked Shirt Trend
See-through shirts have been on my fashion bucket list for years, right next to underwear-as-outerwear and peekaboo boxers. But I didn’t gather enough courage until now, after Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Lawrence, and Katie Holmes made the trend look as effortless as a white T-shirt. Getting a new tattoo on my waist also helped seal the deal. How else could I showcase the teeny-tiny horses inked beneath my bust (without testing the bra top trend, that is)?
Hathaway first put sheer shirts on my radar two years ago, when she wore a Simkhai tank top that was two-thirds transparent. By this summer’s The Odyssey press tour, the actor gave the trend a maternity makeover in another partially see-through mesh Stella McCartney T-shirt.
Meanwhile, Holmes styled a navy tulle button-down, one of her go-to silhouettes, at a Ferragamo event in the Hamptons. (In addition to gauzy layers being one of summer’s biggest trends, they’re also one of the most carry-on-friendly.) Her fringe skirt and patent leather pumps added even more texture to the semi-sheer summer look.
How I Style It
Inspired by Holmes, I figured my first take on the trend should feature my favorite everyday silhouette: the classic crewneck T-shirt. I’ve had Dissh, an Australian brand beloved by Lawrence and Meghan Markle, on my radar since Kendall Jenner wore its sheer swimsuit cover-up back in 2024. Out of the 10 transparent options currently available, I selected the Sian Silk Organza Tee. After a slow-and-steady ironing session (it’s 100 percent silk, people), I slipped the light-as-a-feather find over a black bralette from my college days. (This Gap style is cut from the same lacy cloth.)
The second I realized two of my tattoos shone through Dissh’s silk organza, I became my sexiest self. Sure, between the wide boatneck and the double-lined cuffs, it’s an otherwise simple silhouette I’m used to wearing. But just by embracing the black silk’s sheerness, I felt as flirty as I do in my failsafe LBD.
I could’ve worn it with basically anything in my summer closet, including Gap x Hailey Bieber jeans, Bermuda shorts, or even capris. (I also can’t wait to stack it over my Kylie Jenner-favorited tank top from Guizio.) Instead, I took a go-big-or-go-home approach by pairing it with Dissh’s matching skirt. The column style’s opaque mini slip did all the modesty work for me.
As much as I love an all-black look in the summer, slingback sandals weren’t the vibe for a Monday evening. So, I chose Madewell’s take on the mesh ballet flats trend (another A-List Edit-approved style), which featured the trendy peony pink.
Earlier this year, Lawrence’s ability to style a sheer shirt so effortlessly blew my mind. ICYMI, she layered a vintage silk Dolce & Gabbana robe over her tried-and-true $225 jeans from La Ligne. That outfit became my blueprint for a more relaxed take on the trend. I layered a boho-chic mesh cape from Leau over another label-less bralette and cuffed dark-wash Old Navy denim. The under-$70 cape provided more coverage than the T-shirt in the first look, making it a family-friendly but still elegant choice.
While Lawrence accessorized with the leopard-print pumps trend, I slipped on Hailey Bieber-approved heeled flip-flops instead. For an even more casual co-ord, I could see swapping my vintage Manolo Blahnik sandals with end-of-summer shoe trends like white sneakers, high-vamp flats, or—if you’re more maximalist than I am—jelly shoes.
Turns out, this daring trend isn’t just for VIPs. In my closet now, sheer shirts are as versatile (if not more) than my well-loved white tees.
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