Look around, everywhere you turn is sheer dressing  

The year was 1990. The Berlin Wall came down, NASA launched the Hubble Space telescope, Seinfeld premiered, and Madonna had the best-selling single of the year with “Vogue.” The song was an instant banger, a fact helped along by the accompanying black-and-white David Fincher-directed video which took its cues from New York’s vibrant gay ballroom club scene. And by Madonna’s outfits in said video, chief among them a long sleeved sheer black lace number, with strategically placed patterns to preserve just enough modesty for an MTV audience.

Sheer dressing has had many iconic star turns: consider Cher in sheer, spangled and feathered Bob Mackie at the 1974 Met Gala; Kate Moss in 1993 in a shimmering peek-a-boo slip dress at an Elite model event; Rose McGowan at the 1998 VMA’s in a see-through apron dress and thong that left little to the imagination. In more recent years though, these styles have graduated from red-carpet events to everyday outfitting: try a long sheer dress over an opaque slip; a transparent blouse peeking out from under a blazer; or a dress with subtle sheer cut-outs.

Here a few of our favorite ways to nod to the trend: 

A delicate cap-sleeve floral dress with ruffles and sheer embroidered boning around the waistline is just demure enough.

This slip with a delicate shell design and prim pintucked detailing around the waist is just demure enough.

It’s called bombshell for a reason. This sheer lace Bombshell corset with diamante straps lives up to its name.

Double up on your sheer effect by sliding this rose lace triangle teddy under a sheer blouse.