"Who Shows Up Like That to a Wedding?" Outrage Grows in the US Over Fashion Revealing Underwear

'Naked Dressing' Trend Spreads in the U.S.
Sheer Styles, Bralette Tops... Making Their Way Into Weddings and Daily Life

The so-called "naked dressing," which reveals underwear and body contours, has rapidly emerged as a fashion trend in the United States, blurring the lines of everyday wear at a fast pace. Exposure-focused styles, once limited to runways and red carpets, are now appearing in daily life—including at restaurants and on the street—as well as increasingly at formal events such as weddings and business functions. While this trend creates new demand opportunities for the fashion industry, it is sparking controversy as it collides with dress codes in public spaces.

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According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on August 2, there has been a noticeable increase in people attending various events dressed in sheer clothing, bra tops, and skirts that reveal their underwear in the United States.

According to the publication, at a recent conference, a woman appeared wearing a bralette and a thin black skirt, leaving other attendees visibly unsettled. A businessperson at the scene commented, "I'm not easily surprised, but in that moment, I didn't know where I was supposed to look." The woman was the keynote speaker of the event, and though her presentation itself was successful, her outfit became a much bigger topic of conversation among attendees than the speech itself.

This shift is also seen in daily life. A woman from Pennsylvania recounted how she went out to dinner with her husband wearing a lace skirt that revealed her underwear, only to be asked, "Where's the rest of your outfit?" She emphasized, "It's a way of expressing myself rather than caring about others' gazes," and described it as "a form of modern feminism that defines confidence and femininity for oneself."

Weddings and Work Events... 'Uncomfortable Glances' Amid the Trend's Spread

The problem is that as this style spreads to formal occasions like weddings, it is causing conflicts. At a Hawaiian-themed wedding held in Sausalito, California, most guests wore shirts and hula skirts, but one attendee showed up wearing only a nude thong bikini bottom and a bandeau top. The event planner ultimately had to explain the dress code to this guest and instructed them to purchase additional clothing from a nearby store.

As such incidents have increased, some weddings are now specifying more detailed dress codes in invitations or even preparing spare dresses. At a black-tie wedding, a guest who arrived in a nearly see-through dress was asked by the bride to change into another outfit she had prepared. An industry insider commented, "A wedding is meant to center the bride, but excessive exposure can distract attention."

The Industry Sees 'Opportunity'... Underwear Becomes Outerwear

Regardless of the controversy, the fashion and retail industries are actively leveraging this trend as a new growth driver. Zara has established a separate category for lingerie-style dresses, while Los Angeles–based LaQuan Smith sells lace dresses that fully reveal bras and panties. Michael Kors has proposed styles pairing triangle bralettes with slacks, and American Eagle's sub-brand Aerie has launched a "Show Off" collection that combines sheer camisoles with bras.

The head of product planning at Aerie explained, "We're now suggesting bralettes not as underwear but as outerwear," emphasizing that, "the boundary between underwear and outerwear is quickly disappearing." Victoria's Secret has also released a strapless bra designed to be worn without a shirt, which is gaining popularity. The chief executive officer stated, "The trend of using underwear as outerwear is getting stronger, and overall, attire is becoming lighter."

'Liberation' vs. 'Objectification'... Divided Reactions

Consumer reactions are mixed. Some embrace the trend as a means of self-expression and liberation, while others express discomfort at the excessive exposure and voice concerns about the objectification of the body.

The WSJ forecasts that this market may expand beyond sheer garments to include functional underwear designed to modulate exposure, as well as event-specific dress code consulting services. However, the collision between individual expression and public dress codes appears likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.