Summer style check: Here’s why sheer is a raging fashion trend this season

From tees to saris with see-through pallus — here’s some inspiration from runways and celebrities like Parineeti Chopra, Sonakshi Sinha and Esha Gupta on how to ace the sheer trend.

When in the ’80s, singer Madonna was seen in mesh or sheer lace dresses, it gave way to a whole new type of sheer look. Later, the trend resurfaced, when Rihanna, at the 2014 CFDA red carpet, wore an Adam Selman dress, covered in 216,000 Swarovski crystals, which the paparazzi crowned as the ‘Naked dress.’ This year has seen the reinvention of sheer, from runways in Milan, Paris, New York and New Delhi. From hemlines, tops with sheer insets, bralets worn under sheer overlays to sheer in Indianwear, be it embellished sheer blouses or sheer saris — here’s why the trend refuses to go out of fashion.

A model in an embroidered sheer top with bralet by Archana Rao; a model in an embellished shirt by Rohit Gandhi Rahul Khanna.

Sheer, the fabric
Designers love sheer. It adds elegance and sexiness to the simplest of outfits, they say. “It has been a part of a few seasons but every time underwent innovation on the runway,” says designer Ridhi Mehra. It has evolved over the years, says designer Pallavi Mohan. “Textures have been created, mesh from Korea has taken over and handloom Chanderi has been given makeovers to fit into the trend,” she adds.

A model in a Vaishali S sheer shrug; a model in a patchwork sheer skirt with a knotted shirt.

Actors Sonakshi Sinha and Esha Gupta sizzle in the sheer trend.

Sheer takes over Indianwear
Sheer adds a bit of glamour and sexiness to any outfit. Designer Ridhi Mehra recommends Indianwear panelled with sheer. “For Indianwear, you have to balance the traditional and sheer elements. Sheer sleeves or a panel is easy to carry,” adds Mehra.