Ariana Grande has been under a microscope since she was basically a kid on Nickelodeon. We've seen the red hair, the cat ears, the "lampshading" with oversized hoodies, and those thigh-high boots that launched a thousand fast-fashion knockoffs. But lately, things have shifted. If you’ve been paying attention to her recent press tours and award season runs, you’ve probably noticed a lot more ariana grande see through looks hitting the headlines.
It isn't just about being "edgy" or trying to grab a quick tabloid click. Honestly, it feels way more calculated than that. When she showed up on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in late 2025 wearing a sheer, 90-year-old vintage dress, it wasn't just a fashion choice. It was a statement. Law Roach, her "image architect," has been digging into archives to find pieces that feel like living history. That specific dress was from the 1930s—the same decade the original Wizard of Oz movie came out.
The Method Behind the Sheer Madness
People often freak out when a celebrity wears something transparent, but with Ariana, it’s rarely about the shock factor anymore. It’s "method dressing." Since she’s been living and breathing the world of Wicked, her wardrobe has become this weird, beautiful blend of Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba’s darker, more mysterious vibes.
Take the Wicked: For Good London premiere after-party. She swapped her massive red carpet gown for another sheer tulle piece pulled from a 1950s archive. It had these delicate floral appliques and a gauzy layer over the neckline. It was see-through, yeah, but it felt ethereal—almost like she was fading into a cloud.
Why Sheer Fabrics Matter Now
- Storytelling: It allows her to layer textures. You see the corset, the boning, and the skin, which makes the outfit feel more like an art piece than just "clothes."
- Vulnerability: After years of hiding behind massive hoodies and heavy extensions, these lighter, sheerer fabrics feel like she’s showing a more "real" side of herself.
- Vintage Revival: She’s been wearing a lot of archival Dior and Vivienne Westwood. Many of these older high-fashion pieces used sheer silk and chiffon because they draped better than the stiff synthetic stuff we use today.
That "Naked" Dress on Jimmy Fallon
Let’s talk about that November 2025 appearance. It was a total "internet-breaker" moment. She wore this gauzy black dress that was almost entirely sheer, revealing her underwear underneath. Now, in the 2010s, this would have been a "wardrobe malfunction" headline. In 2026? It’s high fashion.
The dress featured tiny green floral details—a nod to Elphaba—and a sheer shawl wrapped around her neck. It looked fragile, like it could fall apart if she breathed too hard. That’s the point. It creates this tension between being a global powerhouse and looking physically delicate. Stylists call this "delicate strength."
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Breaking Down the 2026 Golden Globes Look
At the most recent Golden Globes, she did it again. But this time, it was "Anti-Glinda." She wore a Vivienne Westwood Couture gown in black. While the main skirt was huge and voluminous, the bodice and parts of the train used this crimped, sheer chiffon that played with the light.
It’s a far cry from the bubblegum pink she was wearing a year ago. You've got to wonder if this is her way of saying she’s done with the "good girl" persona for a bit. The sheer panels on the back of the dress showed off the intricate corsetry, making the "inner workings" of the dress visible. It’s a metaphor, kiiinda? Like, showing the structure beneath the celebrity.
The Reality of Wearing Sheer in Public
It’s not all glamour and red carpets. There’s a lot of technical work that goes into making an ariana grande see through outfit look "effortless."
- The Undergarments: You aren't just wearing a regular bra. It's all about custom-dyed bodysuits or "bloomers" that match the skin tone or the dress perfectly.
- Tape and Tension: In that Fallon dress, the bodice was held up by just two spaghetti strings. One wrong move and it’s a disaster. It takes a certain level of poise to move in those clothes without looking stiff.
- Lighting Checks: Fabrics that look opaque in a mirror can become totally transparent under the flash of a paparazzi camera. Her team likely does "flash tests" in the hotel hallway before she even steps into the limo.
Dealing with the Scrutiny
Ariana hasn't had it easy with the public eye. She’s been open about the body-shaming she faced, especially when people compared her current self to "unhealthier" versions of her past. Choosing to wear sheer clothing is a bold move when you know people are going to zoom in on every inch of your skin.
She told Cynthia Erivo in a 2024 interview that she felt like a "specimen in a Petri dish" since she was 17. By leaning into these sheer, revealing designs now, she’s taking control of that gaze. It’s like she’s saying, "If you’re going to look, I’m going to give you something artistic to look at."
How to Adopt the Sheer Trend (Without the Red Carpet)
You don't need a Law Roach budget to pull this off.
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- Layering is Key: Try a sheer turtleneck under a blazer. It gives that "peek-a-boo" effect without feeling exposed.
- Texture over Transparency: Look for fabrics like organza or mesh that have embroidery. It breaks up the "see through" element and makes it feel more like a deliberate design.
- Monochrome: Ariana often keeps the whole look one color (all black, all pink, all white). This keeps it from looking "messy" and makes the sheer parts feel intentional.
What’s Next for the Ariana Aesthetic?
As the Wicked era finally starts to wind down, we’re seeing her move into a "vintage-modern" hybrid. The auburn hair she debuted at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, paired with wispy bangs and sheer capes, suggests she’s moving toward a more mature, 1960s-inspired look.
Basically, the ariana grande see through trend isn't going anywhere; it’s just getting more sophisticated. She's moving away from the "pop star" uniform and into "film icon" territory. Whether it's a 70-year-old Dior archive piece or a custom Westwood, she’s proving that being seen is very different from being watched.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on archival fashion boutiques like Amarcord Vintage in NYC—that’s where her most iconic sheer moments are being sourced lately. If you're looking to replicate the look, prioritize high-quality fabrics like silk chiffon over cheap polyester mesh, as the way the light hits the fabric makes all the difference between "tacky" and "timeless."
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Next Steps for Your Wardrobe:
- Audit your layers: Find one sheer piece (like a blouse or skirt) and practice layering it with opaque staples.
- Follow the archives: Look up the 1950s Dior and Balenciaga collections to understand the silhouettes Ariana is currently referencing.
- Prioritize fit: Sheer clothing shows everything, so the tailoring must be perfect. If you buy a sheer piece, take it to a tailor to ensure the seams sit exactly where they should.