Naked Dressing Might Not Be for Everyone, But This Summer Blouse Is My Go-To for Chic Outfits

While the Boulevard de la Croisette—the stretch of road that plays host to the annual Cannes Film Festival—has shielded itself from any displays of nudity thanks to a newly introduced dress code that prohibits any form of naked dressing, the same can’t be said for the rest of Europe.

Following the reign of the tights as pants trend, the return of ‘90s Kate Moss-inspired slip dresses and panelled mesh skirts, a new kind of sensuality has emerged to define the spring/summer 2025 season: sheer blouses.

Style Notes: Who What Wear's Ava Gilchrist wears a St. Agni leather-trimmed sheer blouse with Christopher Esber leather and wool trousers and woven fisherman sandals.

From angelic white chiffon cut into pintuck shirts to wafty jet black silk trimmed into delicate layering shirts, see-through tops have entered the canon of breezy dressing style to covet. Perhaps it’s a sign of the times, but the act of exposing a glint of skin underneath the finest translucent fabric has become an act of sartorial rebellion. Consider it a way of leaning into your sensual side without being too revealing. The balance between the softness of the sheer blouse’s fabric and the strength in armouring yourself with very little is addictive.

Style Notes: Marianne Smyth wears a tie-up top with shorts and mesh ballet flats.

It’s this trait that leading independent designers crafting some of the most covetable sheer blouses on the market have pinpointed as the root of the style’s personality. When asked why this risqué style has made a comeback, the creative director and founder of luxury fashion label Common Hours, Amber Keating, tells me that “translucent and sheer fabrication reminds us of fragility and of femininity”.

This is something that Courtney Zheng, the founder and designer of her eponymously titled Sydney-based emerging brand, echoes. “I've always believed that clothing can serve as a medium for self-expression and empowerment,” she tells me over email. “Wearing something risqué is about asserting confidence, celebrating your body, and redefining femininity on your own terms.”

Style Notes: Abi Marvel wears a DISSH knitted top with a COS pencil skirt and blazer to Copenhagen Fashion Week.

For the 28-year-old, sheer blouses are a recurring design motif present in each of her nascent collections. “I've always been drawn to sheer fabrics,” Zheng adds. “In my design, transparency is one element out of many, used to add textural richness to a collection”, she explains, noting that materials like georgette and organza allow her to demonstrate the prowess of her atelier.

“Sheer fabrics present a unique challenge when used in tailoring because of their transparency,” she continues. “I believe the inside of a garment needs to be finished as beautifully as the exterior.”

There’s something about a sheer blouse that does make your look feel softly undone. Like the piece, not quite complete, just floated off the mannequin and into your arms. It’s also this effortless quality that’s made them such a trend.

Recently, Khaite eschewed its dark romanticism for a lighter collection made of sculptural sheer blouses in candy floss pinks, bright caramel lattes and crisp ivories. On the recent Australian Fashion Week Resort 2026 runway, Bianca Spender applied the sheer blouse trend to the print du jour: polka dots. The result was something beach-ready but oh-so elegant, like a throw-on you’d wear to lunch in St Tropez, Antibes or Birratiz.

Elsewhere in France, Chanel presented their recent collection at Paris Fashion Week with a parade of sheer blouses paired over their signature tweed jackets. Kristen Stewart later wore a bubble gum meets powder pink coloured version to present her directorial debut at the aforementioned film festival. (But don’t worry, the subversive tough undergarment provided her with a layer of modesty that didn’t see her breaking any rules.)

But how to wear sheer blouses in public without feeling like you’ve left the house without actually getting dressed? “Styling sheer tops is all about intentional layering and balance to ensure the look isn't overtly provocative,” Zheng explains. “Layering a boxy blazer over or pairing it with baggy jeans makes for a more androgynous look.”

At H&M, the recent SS25 collection was rife with sheer blouses from strappy singlets with nicked-in waists to longline styles in marshmallow hues. Mango is now offering dainty ultra-fine tops and lightweight knits for a more nonchalant take on the sheer blouse trend.

Paired back dressers will adore the offerings from elevated minimalism brands like St. Agni and Róhe, with their designs acknowledging that stripping back to basics is often the best way to look more sophisticated. From the high street to designer sets, keep scrolling for the best sheer blouses on the market, ahead.

The Best Sheer Blouses to Shop

The Sheer Blouse Trend on the Runway

Style Notes: Look 2 of the Chanel spring/summer 2025 runway.

Style Notes: Look 44 of the Chloé autumn/winter 2025 runway.

Style Notes: Look 23 of the Khaite spring/summer 2025 runway.

Style Notes: A look from the Bianca Spender resort 2026 runway.

What Sheer Blouse Styles are Trending for 2025?

There are so many different cuts of sheer blouse, from knitted merino long sleeves to structured tanks. So, if you're new to the style, where should you begin? According to Zheng, the biggest trend emerging from this category is "sheer tops with asymmetrical necklines".

These pieces include "thoughtfully placed ruching and tucking to enhance the natural contours of the body", which the Chinese-Australian designer explained is something present in her most recent collection. "I also love sheer technical knits that can be layered underneath an outfit to add interest."

Style Notes: New York-based fashion writer and podcaster wears the sheer blouse trend with a matching skirt and capri pants layered underneath.

What To Look Out for When Purchasing a High-Quality Sheer Blouse?

Between silk, chiffon, organza, georgette and tulle, these different kinds of material are the main consideration to look out for when purchasing a high-quality sheer blouse. These fabrics can be found on both the high street and more expensive stores, but shouldn't surpass the composition of a sheer top as the biggest factor to weigh up.

"While I personally favour natural fibres like superfine merino or silk, certain technical fabrics can provide durability and are easier to launder, Zheng says. "It's important to remember that sustainability isn't solely about fabric; it's equally about the garment's longevity and the practices behind its creation." Keating agrees: "Exceptional composition and make always have a place in an edited wardrobe."

Style Notes: Monikh Dale wears an asymmetrical sheer blouse from Australian brand Beare Park.

How to Style Sheer Blouses

You don't have to be the bravest dresser to wear the sheer blouse trend in public. Indeed, there are so many ways to sport the look that don't require you to reveal anything you're uncomfortable with. I, for one, always wear a singlet or bodysuit underneath my sheer garments for an extra layer of modesty. I also love layering sheer tops under dresses with scooped necklines to inject another styling element into my look. (This is another reason why the layered dress trend is one the rise, too.)

However, it's always best to begin with the basics: "Exceptional undergarments provide architecture and foundation and are obviously more important in producing a more modest version of sheer dressing," Keating explains. "Styling sheer tops is all about intentional layering and balance to ensure the look isn't overtly provocative," Zheng adds. " In Paris and London, I layer sheer tops under a heavy leather coat, which I can simply slip off upon arriving at a venue." When it comes to this top, the world is truly your oyster.