Sheer Icons: The Most Daring Nearly Naked Red Carpet Looks

Red carpet fashion has officially moved past subtle peekaboo cutouts and dramatic thigh-high slits. Over the past decade, Hollywood's most audacious style icons have continuously pushed the boundaries of award show dressing, opting for sheer tulle, crystal mesh, and strategic lace that leave almost nothing to the imagination. The current obsession with transparent dressing owes a massive debt to Rihanna. At the 2014 CFDA Fashion Awards, the superstar created a historic fashion moment when she walked the carpet in a completely see-through Adam Selman dress covered in thousands of hand-applied crystals. Going without a bra beneath the shimmering fishnet gown, Rihanna set a new benchmark for bold celebrity style.

Watch

Clips tied to this story.

▶Watch on YouTube

▶Watch on YouTube

▶Watch on YouTube

At the 2021 Met Gala, Zoë Kravitz revived the trend in spectacular fashion. The actress hit the star-studded steps wearing a custom Yves Saint Laurent mesh chainmail dress that left little concealed. While fashion insiders widely praised her daring aesthetic, Kravitz later revealed that harsh commentary on social media made an impact behind the scenes. That exact same month, Megan Fox caused a viral sensation at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards. She arrived in a completely transparent Mugler dress decorated with delicate shimmer, worn over an embellished thong. The head-turning appearance dominated social media discussions for days and proved that naked dressing remains the ultimate red carpet power move.

BUZZBEAT

The skin-forward trend shows zero signs of cooling down with the next generation of fashion darlings. Model Kaia Gerber turned up the heat at a New York City screening of *Shards*, wearing a bedazzled sheer gown that balanced minimalism with high-impact glamour. Meanwhile, rising style figures like Ava Dash continue to embrace the look using expertly positioned floral appliqués and sheer netting. Whether stars choose to free the nipple or wear delicate lace in precisely the right spots, the nearly naked gown has evolved from a controversial fashion risk into a permanent red carpet staple.