This season, lean into body-bearing cuts and barely there fabrics
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Almost-nude dressing is nothing new. After all, Marilyn Monroe made headlines wearing a sheer dress singing 'Happy Birthday, Mr President' in 1962 while Jane Birkin dazzled in a crocheted Emilio Pucci gown in 1969. Almost ten years later, Cher sparkled in a Bob Mackie feather dress at the 1978 Met gala. Lastly, who could forget the iconic red carpet offerings of Halle Barry and Lucy Liu in the early aughts?
Embroidered tulle dress, price on request. Valentino. Featured in the December - January issue fo Vogue Scandinavia. Photo: Noel Quintela
While we’ve seen body-bearing dresses in the past, for our December-January issue Vogue Scandinavia peruse the modern take on the trend with sheaths of intricate lace and net. As celebrities gathered for the first in-person events since the start of the pandemic, new iterations of the trend came courtesy of Zoë Kravitz (in Saint Laurent at the 2021 Met gala) and Kendall Jenner (In Givenchy at the same event).
Gucci autumn/winter 2021.
Ermanno Scervino autumn/winter 2021.
Valentino autumn/winter 2021.
On the autumn/winter 2021 runways, sartorial power-houses like Gucci and Valentino leaned into sheer swathings of black lace, while Ermanno Scervino managed the intricate balance between salacious and demure with their see-through style featuring long sleeves and a high neck.
Tops with precisely placed detailing, leg-bearing trousers and strategically draped dresses offer a modern yet delicate answer to the naked dress of yore. This party season, we wish to swathe ourselves in luscious lace for all of our upcoming exuberant events.
Peruse the pieces below to pick your favourite take on the trend:
