History and Evolution of the Sheer Trend
As far back as 3000 B.C.E, Sari's have been apart of Ancient Indian dress and culture. A Sari is usually a long single piece of fabric draped across a woman's body. The Sari is a breathable and flowing garment that is usually made of a very light silk fabric and usually embroidered with intricate detail.
In 146 B.C.E the ancient Greeks developed a style of dress called the Ionic Chiton, a tunic like garment. The wealthiest Greeks of the time wore Chiton's made of fine wool or woven linen that was so thin it was almost transparent. The thinness of the material of the Chiton allowed it to be folded and pleated in many ways which allowed this style to become so unique. This lightweight garment was worn by both men and women.
In 16th Century dress, almost every woman, rich or poor wore gowns and dresses on a daily basis. By the end of this century, the gowns went from modest to revealing a lot of the women's cleavage. For those who did reveal so much, many wore a light weight, somewhat transparent shirt under their gowns called a Chemise. This shirt usually usually covered the whole neck and had a ruff attached to the end of it.
During the 19th Century, a number of old trends from centuries before began to reappear in fashion. One major trend is one called the Betsy. The Betsy was a ruffled collar that imitated one that Queen Elizabeth wore in the 1500's. This is also how the trend got its name. The 19th Century version of these ruffles was composed of either tulle or a sheer silk or cotton that were easily worked into gathers and pleats.
Stockings have been a part of fashion for centuries, but it wasn't until the 1920's that sheer silk stockings started being worn.
In the 1950's, chiffon and organza were very popular fabrics featured in women's evening wear. These textiles helped for creating fuller skirts and draping and also added an elegant and sophisticated touch to the evening dresses.
The 1980's was a time that completely re-inspired the sheer trend. Every one was becoming more aware of their body image and the athletic look/lifestyle and began looking for new ways to show off their bodies. Fashion in the 1980's was also heavily influenced by celebrities and what they wore. A major contributor was Madonna who often wore mesh or sheer lace which gave way to a whole new type of sheer look for teens of the 80's.
2007: The sheer trend once again hit the runways and has remained a major trend in fashion ever since. Then known as "sheer bliss" POPSUGAR reported a trend alert from New York Fashion Week saying, "The unveiling of sheer materials and details on dresses and skirts is a definite sign that fashion is saying goodbye to dressing little girls and hello to dressing women. What I mean is, sheer can be both sweet and spicy."
2008: The sheer trend is still a large part of fashion but has claimed the name "peek a boob" according to POPSUGAR. They reported, "Ennio Capasa at C'N'C Costume National made hay with an entire collection of nearly transparent numbers from sheer dresses to lacey see-through leggings. He really wasn't kidding when he referenced x-ray specs in his run of show notes though to his credit he did unclude under garments." They also noticed an odd increase in the habit of women calorie counting. They think that this is due to the sheer trend and the desire to lose weight to pull of the sheer look.
2010: Many people find that fitting sheer into their wardrobe can be difficult because of how seductive it can be, but in 2010, POPSUGAR reported a trend of sheer separates that allow one to adapt the sheer trend without showing too much.
2011: POPSUGAR reported that black sheer made a statement on the streets of Paris. Also in 2011, a major micro trend to go along with sheer was lots of layering. Another may sheer evolved in fashion in 2011 was by revealing ones underwear through a skirt as Louis Vuitton did in their collection
2012: At the 2012 Oscar's, sheer took over the red carpet as celebrities flocked in with gowns with elegant sheer detailing and sheer insets.
2013: A micro trend of the 2013 year sheer trend is sheer hemlines that start at the thigh up and once again reveal undergarments. Today, we are seeing anything from sheer prints and sheer stripes to sheer overlays and embellished sheer blouses.
2008: The sheer trend is still a large part of fashion but has claimed the name "peek a boob" according to POPSUGAR. They reported, "Ennio Capasa at C'N'C Costume National made hay with an entire collection of nearly transparent numbers from sheer dresses to lacey see-through leggings. He really wasn't kidding when he referenced x-ray specs in his run of show notes though to his credit he did unclude under garments." They also noticed an odd increase in the habit of women calorie counting. They think that this is due to the sheer trend and the desire to lose weight to pull of the sheer look.
2010: Many people find that fitting sheer into their wardrobe can be difficult because of how seductive it can be, but in 2010, POPSUGAR reported a trend of sheer separates that allow one to adapt the sheer trend without showing too much.
2011: POPSUGAR reported that black sheer made a statement on the streets of Paris. Also in 2011, a major micro trend to go along with sheer was lots of layering. Another may sheer evolved in fashion in 2011 was by revealing ones underwear through a skirt as Louis Vuitton did in their collection
2012: At the 2012 Oscar's, sheer took over the red carpet as celebrities flocked in with gowns with elegant sheer detailing and sheer insets.
2013: A micro trend of the 2013 year sheer trend is sheer hemlines that start at the thigh up and once again reveal undergarments. Today, we are seeing anything from sheer prints and sheer stripes to sheer overlays and embellished sheer blouses.
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Fashion, Costume, and Culture
Clothing, Headwear, Body Decorations, and Footwear through the Ages (Vol 1-4)
Clothing, Headwear, Body Decorations, and Footwear through the Ages (Vol 1-4)