And we’re back with more ‘naked’-ness! Yes, it never stops. First things first, what is a naked dress? As the nomenclature suggests, it’s one that is second to being actually naked. Supremely sheer dresses that might as well be left at home, if not for the bodysuits or bare minimum linings that come with. It’s hard to trace back the invention of naked dresses as we know them. But this picture of Kate Moss in a Liza Bruce dress for an agency party from 1993 is probably it for us…
Over the years, we’ve seen our favourite icons don naked dresses and own them. Like Rihanna in a fully sheer, crystal embellished custom Adam Selman sheath at the CFDA Fashion Awards 2014 (she won the ‘Fashion Icon’ title, of course).
And the queen of everything, Beyoncé, at the Met Gala in the ‘naked-est’ dress ever tailored for her by Givenchy.
If *phew* is what you’re thinking, we feel you. It’s tough not to scandalise or offend when you’re as naked as all of the above. While Hollywood goes all out for bold, Bollywood is still progressing towards it. To be fair, it’s probably because there’s a rant waiting at the end of every turn, thanks to aunties, bhabhis, chachis… you get the drift. Seriously though, our best Bollywood divas are mastering the naked dress without going naked and still look exquisite. From Deepika to Sonakshi, here’s how the industry’s most stylish women pulled it off:
1. Kangana Ranaut
Cannes 2018 was a whirlwind but amidst all the chaos Bollywood’s newest and most badass fashionista, Kangana Ranaut killed it and how. A cue from Kangana on how to rock a naked dress: lots of embellishment, and heavy train to block all peeks of her butt. Good going, Kangana!
2. Deepika Padukone
Yes, Dips finally did the naked dress dance at the Cannes red carpet and she nailed it. Her Zuhair Murad stunner was snow-white, her favourite colour of the season, and was pretty as a picture. How she avoided offending the aunties? With all that threadwork and an almost invisible bodysuit for the lining.
3. Alia Bhatt
The Raazi starlet attended an awards show in a Needle & Thread London dress which was sheer to the bone. Alia shows ‘em how not-so-naked naked dresses are done by picking one that wasn’t body-hugging, had lots of ruffled tiers and the most intricate embroidery pattern. Proud aunties everywhere!
4. Sonakshi Sinha
A vision in red, Sonakshi Sinha, was goals in this red stone-embellished gown by Labour Joisie. Even though the dress evidently fits her like a glove, the surface ornamentation leaves much to the imagination, so does the bang-on lining (can’t see it, can you?)
5. Sophie Choudry
Sophie’s short version of the naked dress is giving us life. We’re loving the 3D butterflies on her dress, but what we love more is that Manish Malhotra’s mastered the art of being conservative. Thank God for super blendable linings and loads of statement embellishment.
6. Kriti Sanon
Leave it to Bollywood beauty, Kriti, to change up the naked dress game. While the world goes glam with gowns, Miss Sanon swapped them for a halter-neck, off-shoulder midi dress with a caged floral design. The secret to her coming out a winner from this? Her super short lining that blends like the world’s best highlighter.
7. Katrina Kaif
Keeping up with Kat is our favourite thing to do, all day every day. Especially with all the impressive naked dresses she’s been working, like a boss might I add? #SonamKiShaadi gave us this naked gem, for example. An ethereal piece by Manish Malhotra, this saree-gown was sheer genius. Get it? The beautiful nude lining saved the day, obviously! Doesn’t look tacky at all, surprisingly. Yay, Kat.
8. Antara Motiwala Marwah
Stylist and Mohit Marwah’s new bride, Antara M, showed up to Sonam’s all-white mehendi looking like a legit swan. The Manish Malhotra ensemble Antara sported was all threadwork and crystals. She wore nude pants underneath to escape all scandalised auntie stares, of course.
