How To Wear The Latest Party Dress Trend

In the last few months, a surprising new trend has been taking over fashion blogs, catwalks and red carpets, and it’s not one that all fashion fans are completely happy about. The latest craze is sheer-skirted dresses, which show off the legs and often quite a bit more where the dress material ends and a sheer skirt (often full length) begins.

The most recent celebrity fans of the look are House actress Jennifer Morrison and Selena Gomez, both of whom were spotted in identical black lingerie maxi gowns which featured full sheer skirts over what looked like leotards. Also embracing sheer skirts were Jennifer Lopez, who wore a full length embellished gold number to the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, and Beyoncé, who went all out in a full-length frilly, lacy number to the Met Ball. Sheer skirts have also been spotted at the Cannes Film Festival, with Spanish actress Paz Vega showing off her pins in a gleaming white and silver mesh sheer skirted gown and French beauty Audrey Tautou knocking the socks off everyone with her frosted mint organza and chiffon silk gown with its slightly see-through skirt.

Some fashion fans are potty about the look, but not everyone is so keen. This is because sheer skirts can be a very difficult look to get right, and flashing that much flesh can easily look trashy. Some may have loved the extremely revealing sheer panelled dress Gwyneth Paltrow wore to the Iron Man 3 premiere, for example, but for others, being able to see virtually all the actress’ bottom half was perhaps a bit too much.

If you want to give the sheer skirt look a spin, without looking trashy or showing off more than you intended, here’s what you need to know to completely nail it:

Tip #1 – Avoid showing off your pants

Some stars (Selena Gomez and Jennifer Morrison – we’re looking at you) may be able to get away with showing off their undergarments beneath a sheer skirt, but it certainly isn’t a look for everyday life, unless you’ve got a red carpet event to go to. Even if you only wear the teeniest little mini skirt, avoid going out with just a sheer skirt covering your skimpies.

Tip #2 – Choose a dress with the right kind of sheer skirt

Some of the sheer party dresses out there are actually quite cleverly designed, with reflective fabrics, patterns or detailing which gives your legs a bit of extra cover. With these skirts, just a hint or outline of your bottom half is revealed, making them far sexier and much more stylish than flashing the whole lot.

Tip #3 – Dip your toe in the trend with subtle sheer panels

If you aren’t sure about full-length sheer skirts but you want to give the trend a try, why not ease yourself in with a dress that has subtle sheer panels? You’ll be on-trend but won’t be showing off too much skin.

Tip #4 – Choose the right occasion (and check the weather!)

Unless you choose sheer skirted party dresses with subtle panels, this look can be quite full-on, so you must choose the right occasion to debut the latest addition to your wardrobe. Weddings, birthdays, romantic dinners and other formal occasions are perfect for this look, but make sure you check the weather forecast before you head out the door, as the wind blowing up your skirt will completely scupper your chances of looking elegant!

Christine Felton is a Writer at Fashion Union provider of on trend women’s clothing in the UK.