Remember the episode of Sex and the City where the girls go to ‘Shirtless Heaven’ and Carrie befriends Oliver, the handsome Aussie who has a key to Bungalow 8? Do you also recall the outfit she wore in that episode?
It was a white, sheer, stretch-jersey dress with pink flouro underwear visible underneath. I loved it, even though I felt that I probably shouldn’t. It sparked a fascination with sheer dresses and noticeable (read blatantly obvious) underwear.
Actually, being purposefully conspicuous about flashing your underwear to the world must be the only way to pull off such a controversial look. At the onset of summer I noticed an unfathomable amount of girls in London who were utterly oblivious that their thong was on show underneath their little white sun dress. Oops.
So I’ve been pondering what makes it work for SJP, Anna Dello Russo and Jessica Biel and this is what I’ve come up with:
- Be *ahem* ‘transparent’ about your intent to show your pants and bra, and do it with an air of nonchalance so that others will marvel at your confidence
- Wear nice underwear. Make it your statement as you might jewellery or other accessories. No thongs, no white or nude colours, nothing you’re at risk of slipping or spilling out of accidentally (that really ruins the aforementioned air of nonchalance)
- Be skinny. Unfortunately, like most women out there, this is not a look I should ever attempt, seeing as I’m larger than a clothes hanger. If you have curves you’ll look too sexy and people will only be able to focus on that when they look at you rather than noting your outlandish and daring sartorial choice (It’s the same reason models who go topless on the catwalk can still be seen as chic, as opposed to actual topless models who are viewed as hot at best or trashy at worst)
Not a look I’m going to be trying any time soon, but who knows…
When it comes to fashion I never say never.
