Rules of going SHEER

Tempted by transparency but afraid of revealing too much? Michael Kors shares his see-through rules..

Be sexy, not naked.

Photo: Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images

Do balance revealing pieces with covered-up ones, like Kerry Washington’s skirt.

Don’t show a lot of skin at the same time. Sheer + bare = TMI.

Experiment with sheer prints

Photo: Cathy Crawford

Do match lingerie to your skin when wearing a dress like this one from MM Couture by Miss Me.
Don’t match your underpinnings to the print—you’ve got enough going on.

Embrace some lace

Photo: Christopher Peterson/Buzzfoto/FilmMagic.com

Do know black lace is the easiest sheer fabric to wear. Or try gray or navy, as Blake Lively and Mia Wasikowska did.
Don’t sport head-to-toe white lace unless you’re familiar with the lyrics to “Like a Virgin.” Ecru and ivory are better options for nonbridal moments.

Try a long-sleeve chiffon blouse

Photo: Richard Young/Rex USA

Do wear a solid cami underneath, as Florence Welch is doing. It's a look that works, very Catherine Deneuve.
Don’t layer lacy camisoles and bras under transparent tops for day—only at night.

Bring sheer to the beach

Photo: Fairchild Archive

Do pair a see-through skirt with a longer top as a cover-up.
Don't layer sheer over a flesh-toned suit. You don’t want to disappear!

Peek-A-Boo!

We’ve seen sheer on runways here, there, and everywhere for the past several seasons. But in 2010, daring starlets like Blake Lively and Emma Watson took transparency to the red carpets, offering fans suggestive glimpses of bare skin. At the Paris Vogue Bal Masqué—arguably the fashion fête of the year—diaphanous dressing was practically mandatory.

Editor-in-chief Carine Roitfeld set the tone in a Givenchy number with a few well-placed leopard spots (a hint that she was about to take a leap?). The dresses that supes Mariacarla, Natalia, and Lily D.

slipped into for the occasion, meanwhile, left just as little to the imagination. And see-through isn’t just for after-dark, as this photo of Abbey Lee Kershaw demonstrates, although it does help to have legs up to your neck.

Abbey Lee Kershaw, in a chiffon skirt, exiting the Gucci Spring show.

Joan Smalls, in Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci, at the closing party for Marina Abramović's The Artist Is Present exhibition at MoMA.

Kristen Stewart stepped out in sheer Chanel Haute Couture at the 2010 Met Ball.

Lily Donaldson was red hot in Dior at Paris Vogue's Le Bal Masque.

Elena Perminova and Natalia Vodianova looked fierce at the Paris Vogue party.

Leighton Meester wore a Marc Jacobs Spring look to the Nashville premiere of Country Strong.

Bianca Brandolini d'Adda and Lapo Elkann, at Paris Vogue's Le Bal Masqué

Karolina Kurkova, under translucent wraps, at a Cannes Film Festival bash

Lady Gaga was relatively tame in a one-legged Alex Noble lace bodysuit and Phillip Treacy mask at the 2010 Brit Awards.

One of this year's biggest sheer supporters, Blake Lively, went with a burgundy Elie Saab dress at a Tiffany & Co. event.

Mariacarla Boscono, in a feathered Givenchy couture headpiece, with the designer, at the Paris Vogue fête

Paris Vogue's Carine Roitfeld in Givenchy, at the magazine's 90th Anniversary celebration.

Daphne Guinness, in a Givenchy Resort look, with Stefano Pilati at an Art Basel party.

Gwen Stefani chose an Ann Demeulemeester silk top for a night out at the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

One of this year's biggest sheer supporters, Blake Lively, went with a burgundy Elie Saab dress at a Tiffany & Co. event.

At a Dazed & Confused party during Fall fashion week, Lou Doillon's jumpsuit had a well-placed pocket.

Rihanna turned heads in lacy Elie Saab at the American Music Awards.

At the Elle Style Awards, Mary-Kate Olsen opted for a Givenchy skirt; Ashley wore her Christian Lacroix Couture gown backward.

Pixie Geldof at the 2010 Brit Awards, with Henry Holland, in one of his designs.

Snapped by Tommy Ton in Paris during Spring fashion week.

Tommy Ton captured this sheer dress in motion.

Ciara was daring in Givenchy Couture at the 2010 Grammy Awards.

 Emma Watson wore a lace Rafael Lopez frock to the London premiere of the latest Harry Potter movie.

Anna Dello Russo, a sheer pioneer, wearing Dolce & Gabbana.