Lingerie on Display? The Controversial Fashion Trend Taking Over Spring
See how to style the lingerie-as-clothes look.
Modesty has reigned throughout some of fashion's previous eras, and, while it hasn't fully disappeared, it's definitely fading into the background right now in the face of more out-there clothes. One of the most controversial trends from Spring/Summer 2025 runways is wearing lingerie as clothes, not undergarments. This look feels like tangentially related to the enduring sheer trend. Right now in fashion, naked is in.
Among the strongest trends of season, underwear is openly revealed in the role of a ready-made and finished dress. It's feasible to style the lingerie look with the average daily wardrobe where bras, bralettes, lace bodysuits, and satin slips take the place of tops, shirts, skirts and dresses. (We'd recommend doing this especially when it's warmer out for obvious reasons.)
Keep scrolling to learn more about the lingerie-as-clothes trend, including examples of the look on the runway and styling tips on how to achieve the look yourself.
Wearing Lingerie as a Mini Dress
The most obvious example of the lingerie trend for Spring/Summer 2025 is when it's worn fully exposes. Two striking examples of this include trompe l'oeil by Balenciaga and a tribute to Madonna done by Dolce & Gabbana. In both cases, it is about seductive underwear in shiny pink-hued satin in the forms of bustiers, guepieres, and suspenders, each determined to become the perfect substitutes for regular combos like a top and miniskirt or a flirty mini dress.
Wear Lingerie With Elegant Trousers
This spring, lingerie sets take on the role of protagonists, making for highly daring and sexy looks. A relaxed way to achieve this is by using the undergarment-turned-clothes to liven up a classic suit. Style lingerie tops, be it sheer bodysuits or bras, with mannish trousers for a balanced and elegant look.
Lingerie and Je
Basically everything looks good with a pair of jeans, and, as to be expected, this applies when mixing denim and lingerie. Designers showed bralettes with high-waisted and light wash denim on Spring/Summer 2025 runways, which is a great way to recreate the look yourself. For a more sporty vibe, pair an athletic-looking triangle bra with dark wash jeans and sneakers.
White, Cotton Underwear
From the legendary white cotton tank top to the regular, high-waisted, contoured briefs, the alternative and subversive use of intimate normality returns to the scene in search of the sensuality underlying the masking of the body. In other words, a return to white, cotton undergarments makes for an interesting exercise in style. Lean into nostalgia here.
Balance a Bra With a Long Skirt
Sure, pairing a sheer bra with trousers or a matching set of panties can work for an outfit in some places, but the issue with a full lingerie look can be not having enough balance. If trying to make an outfit more cohesive, try styling a bralette top with a long, maxi skirt. This helps add a bit of surprise to the look since it's not the typical lingerie get up.
The Perfect, Silken Slip Dress
Voila, one of the most sinuous garments in the intimate lexicon and one of the most widely used in the ambiguous narrative of seduction: the slip dress. This garb is characterized by a fluid shimmer of satin that slides along the body with thin shoulder straps. On some, seams under the breast add a bit more shape to the breezy silhouette. The best part of this look is its simplicity: to complete it, just add a pair of low-heeled shoes for the day or bejeweled sandals at night.
