This Week, the Best Dressed Stars Aimed for Transparency 

The rest of the world may be buttoning up, but celebrities refuse to let the weather hold them back. Last week, as temperatures dropped, outfits became shorter, sheerer, and downright diaphanous. The shift towards transparency makes sense—nothing will garner more attention than a see-through outfit—and the trend dominated globally. 

Having perfected the art of making an entrance in a transparent gown back in 2014 with her Swarovski crystal-covered Adam Selman look at that year’s CFDA Awards, Rihanna put a maternity twist on the concept at Dior’s fall 2022 show. She arrived fashionably late at the Jardin des Tuileries wearing a completely sheer lace dress from Maria Grazia Chiuri’s pre-fall lineup, giving the Paris collections their moment of outré sexiness. Though her oversized leather jacket allowed for some modesty, Rihanna’s bump reveal was a provocative take on a piece that could easily read demure with different styling. Bold, body-positive, and blingy thanks to the addition of several Chrome Hearts necklaces, Rihanna’s audacious look was the most exciting thing to happen in the front row. 

The week’s most compelling red carpet moment also owed much to transparency. Honored with the American Riviera Award for her contributions to cinema at the Santa Barbara Film Festival, Kristen Stewart brought Chanel’s haute couture to So-Cal in a silk tulle dress from Virginie Viard’s spring 2022 collection. Sheer and embroidered with a series of flounces right below the waist, it was a thrilling addition to the repertoire of Chanel selects Stewart has worn during Spencer’s promotional tour. To portray Princess Diana in the film, she relied on a series of archival gems from the French house, but the pieces she chooses for herself are every bit as interesting. The daring sensibility of Stewart’s latest reflected her edgy tastes and Chanel’s modern verve. 

Elsewhere, Cindy Bruna gave the sheer trend a twist by pairing her gauzy Rochas gown with a pair of the brand’s thigh-high flame boots. The statement footwear would have been arresting on its own, but the layers of tulle and ruffles added to the effect, making it seem like flames were licking at Bruna’s heels as she climbed the steps of the Palais de Tokyo. 

If one wore an opaque look, they chose one with sparkle and wit. Daisy Edgar-Jones dazzled at the premiere of her horror-romance Fresh in Loewe’s silver nappa leather ruffle dress. Given the voracious themes of director Mimi Cave’s film, it makes sense that its star chose the broken egg sandals from Jonathan Anderson’s spring 2022 collection, heels that come with a foodie double entendre and looked good enough to eat.