Danger: Transparencies

Transparencies seem to have been the object of a veritable obsession on behalf of some designers for some time now. During fashionable events, it is no longer that rare to see the belles of the moment dress immodestly, sometimes confusing audacity with vulgarity.

This trend, begun several seasons ago and set to continue next summer, consisting in revealing skin and underwear, is winning more and more fans among those for whom being fashionable is of utmost importance. However, whereas for stage divas like Lady Gaga, Madonna or Rihanna, adopting these style gimmicks is part of the show, it is entirely another question for those trying them on for the red carpets.

At a time when some designers are competing against each other to offer subtlety, poetry and elegance (e.g., Erdem Moralioglu and Dolce&Gabbana), others seem to take pleasure in encouraging the vampish bad habits that wearing transparencies can engender.

Blake Lively's wise choice of simple boxer shorts under her Chanel robe was ruined by her indiscreet Wonderbra, ruining her ensemble with a touch of too-much. As for the editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris, she chose to celebrate her daughter's 30th birthday in a gypsy dress with transparent panels, lace and flounces, reminding us that unless these sorts of materials are treated with chic, one runs the risk of looking like one of the (French television series about a brothel) Maison Close heroines.

In other words, veils and other spidery fabrics are well en vogue, but must be handled very carefully in order not to become vulgar. Over the Carine Roitfeld-type trimmings, we prefer the haughty allure of Kate Bosworth who, via a Chanel sheath dress with perfectly placed transparencies, succeeds in combining classicism and modernity perfectly.