Underwear as Outerwear

Model Gigi Hadid wearing the underwear as outerwear trend.

Summer 2016’s hottest trend is giving lingerie lovers a chance to show off their most luxurious garments in sophisticated style. Underwear as outerwear has been reaching new peaks in popularity over the past few years, led by fashion icons and celebrities who bare their intimate apparel as statement pieces in their outfits. This has been giving lingerie brands and designers more visibility than ever before among fashion lovers everywhere.

Le conical corset by Jean Paul Gaultier, worn by Madonna during the “Metropolis” sequence of The Blond Ambition World Tour in 1990, photographed by Emil Larsson.

“Underwear as outerwear” is no new fad, as it was first coined in the 1980’s by Malcolm McLaren when his winter 1982 collection showed a 1950’s-style bullet brassiere worn over a sweatshirt. This offbeat fashion statement was a huge inspiration to the industry, provoking designers like Jean Paul Gaultier to create some of their greatest lingerie-inspired works and performers like Madonna to wear the look out on tours. Since then, bold and beloved celebrities like Britney Spears and Rihanna have kept underwear as outerwear in vogue with barely-dressed appearances.

Mariah Carey wears lingerie and boudoir slippers live on Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and TV Distribution, photographed by Pawel Kaminski.

Today, style icons like models Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner have been leading the trend by wearing the latest designer looks before the public eye. Modern garments made with deep cuts and sheer materials are expected to expose what’s underneath, prompting lingerie designers to create gorgeous garments that are meant to be seen. The increasing normality of these scanty styles reflects society’s evolving attitudes towards the body, gender, and sexuality.

Model Kendall Jenner wears a bralette as outerwear on Instagram.

Summer fashion makes it much easier to share lingerie-inspired looks in a way that’s effortlessly casual. Dare to wear the look yourself with an open button-down that lets your favorite bralette peek from underneath, paired with jeans for a breezy daytime outfit. For a sultry night out, bodysuits give a sleek and sexy silhouette when worn with high-waisted pants or a skirt with heels to boot. If you love the underwear as outerwear trend but would rather keep it under wraps, a silky chiffon or lacy robe can be worn over any outfit to share your enthusiasm while maintaining modesty. After all, the best thing about style is that it’s a fun way to share your personal taste for aesthetics!