How to wear sheer skirts and dresses without revealing too much

If, like me, you’re in the fashion bubble, there’s no getting away from sheer skirts and dresses. Lace, mesh and organza have been covering my Instagram feed with a delicate veil and are fluttering down the catwalks of leading fashion houses including Gucci, Saint Laurent and Chloé. On the streets, however, the look’s still a rare sight. Understandably so. If you’re like most people, you probably don’t want to flaunt your panties and buttocks in public. Having said that, transparency doesn’t equal nudity. Here are three ideas on how to wear sheer skirts and dresses in real life.

1. Cover yourself with an oversized T-shirt

Let’s start with the easiest option. Just slip on a longish, slightly oversized T-shirt. This will cover your private parts and conjure up a casual, airy summer look in no time. Of course, it can also work with a shirt, sweater or jacket if it’s chilly out. To get a pretty layered look, try combining several elements in the same outfit.

I also recommend wearing tight-fitting, very short cycling shorts under your dress or skirt – preferably in the same colour as your transparent skirt or dress. They’ll hardly ever be visible, but will prevent unwanted panty flashes.

2. Wear two skirts or dresses at the same time

Have you ever considered wearing two skirts or dresses at once? What may sound a little counterintuitive can unlock a whole range of interesting looks. By playing around with different textures, colours and cuts, you can create extraordinary layered looks. It also gives you the chance to showcase transparent fabrics in a less revealing way.

The transparent piece can be worn as both a top and bottom layer. You could wear a short slip dress under a mesh maxi dress or add depth to a simple, opaque skirt by combining it with a sheer one, for example.

3. Put on a pair of trousers

I recommend the dress or skirt-over-trousers look to fans of the noughties who’re keen to experiment. This polarising trend has re-emerged in recent years and is everywhere at the moment. At least if my Instagram feed’s anything to go by. Create nostalgic style clashes and transparency without nudity by wearing lace maxi dresses over baggy jeans or mesh mini skirts over fabric pants, for example.