The “Barely-There” Look Is Back—5 Ways To Master The Minimalist, See-Through Trend Fashion Insiders Love This Summer

You think you’ve seen every possible trend come and go, but then one more pops back up and takes you by surprise. This is precisely the case with the sheer trend. I’ve taken note of the rise in the use of barely-there fabrics in decades past through to recent years, but for summer 2025, it has not only dominated the season’s runways, but street style and celebrity red carpet looks too. My Instagram feed is also awash with semi-transparent organza and gauze-like pieces, which always make me double-take to see if the fabric is really there at all.

In 2025, we’re not resigning sheer pieces to eveningwear looks alone; we think they can arguably be worn anywhere, from casual daytime looks to office-ready ensembles (yes, really!), summer holiday outfits, and, of course, more showstopping occasion attire. I’ve seen the trend embraced across a wide variety of clothing and accessories, including but not limited to blouses, shapewear, skirts, trousers, dresses and footwear.

I recently gave the trend a spin myself, pairing an oyster-white organza midi skirt from home-grown brand Rise & Fall with barely-there mesh flats from Dear Frances. I teamed these with a double-layered white tank top, Whistles’ cult leather jacket, a vintage Fendi bag, SandraAlexandra necklace and some retro-feel sunglasses. The toughness of the jacket, coupled with the hardware of the bag and necklace, gives way to the airy lightness of the skirt and shoes; a delicate balance of hard and soft, which is my nod to ’90s minimalism, but with a bit of modern-day styling.