Naked dressing might be all the rage in 2026, but it dates back decades. Hollywood stars in the 2000s were particularly skilled at bringing see-through dresses to the red carpet, with several opting for plunging gowns or artfully placed embroidery that sat on the riskier side of revealing. Read on to see some of the decade's most iconic sheer looks that threatened to unravel...
© FilmMagic via Getty ImagesChristina Aguilera paired a sheer midriff with dreamy chiffon layers
Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera's crystal gown trailed layers of chiffon to the floor in what would otherwise be a very modestly cut red carpet gown.
But embellished mesh showed off her toned midriff and created the illusion of a two-piece, with a bandeau bra top cut in the same fabric as her skirt.
© Getty ImagesLaura Herring's gown combined sheer lace with silk panels
Laura Herring
Laura Herring's 2005 red carpet look played with traditional silhouettes and fabrics, interspersing the silk slip dress with cream lace above both legs and across her waist.
A pink corsage drew attention to the dress' plunging neckline, made even more daring by the gown's thin straps and extra cut of lace topping the silk sweetheart neckline.
© Getty ImagesNicole Kidman sparkled in a gold gown with a large sheer panel
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman's 2004 Golden Globes gown perfectly complemented her own golden tresses with a torso made up of countless sequins in a halterneck style.
A large sheer panel that ran all the way from the dress' neckline to her belly button made it a risqué success on stage – the epitome of 2000s glamour.
© Getty ImagesElsa Pataky pushed sheer dressing to the limit in a mesh tunic
Elsa Pataky
Elsa Pataky proved her star confidence in 2004 as the Fast Five star sported a completely sheer purple tunic, complete with bands of embellished material across the hem, hips and plunging neckline.
A matching bra ensured the Hollywood outfit stayed within the bounds of Noughties propriety, while shiny sandals kept the look's casual appeal.
© Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesHalle Berry's red satin gown paired a modest maxi length with an embellished sheer torso
Halle Berry
Halle Berry is the queen of red carpet dressing, and she's been proving her Hollywood confidence on and off screen for decades with some daring looks.
In 2002, the actress donned a long red gown with a trailing silk skirt and dropped waist, with appliqué across the bust and roses trailing down her waist.
© Ron Galella Collection via GettyKristen Shaw's plunging neckline was held together with a sheer panel
Kristen Shaw
Kristen Shaw provided a daring variation on office attire in 2000, with square-toed heels and a high-necked dress that finished below the knee.
While the pencil skirt kept things modest, a large sheer panel at the front pushed the boundaries of '00s dressing and proved Kristen's Hollywood confidence in front of the cameras.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesDrea de Matteo's striped sheer gown featured playful stripes
Drea de Matteo
Drea de Matteo's 2002 striped gown proved that risqué red carpet fashion doesn't have to be serious to be sultry, with her playful black dress showing off solid black underwear under the stripy top layer.
Completed with a feathered hem, Drea de Matteo's fun high-fashion statement provided a blueprint for playful couture today.
