Jennifer Lopez just turned the 2026 Golden Globes into a masterclass on how to wear literally nothing while looking like royalty. Honestly, if you thought the "naked dress" trend was dying out, you haven't been paying attention to JLo’s recent moves. She didn't just show up; she arrived in a vintage Jean-Louis Scherrer piece from 2003 that basically blurred the line between clothing and fine art.
People always freak out when they see a jennifer lopez sheer top or gown, assuming it’s all about the shock factor. It’s not. It’s strategic. This specific look—sourced from the legendary L.A. boutique Lily et Cie—featured a nude mesh base so thin it was practically invisible, layered with chocolate-brown lace and hand-applied crystals.
The internet went into a tailspin, obviously. But there’s a nuance here that most fashion critics miss. It’s the "illusion of exposure."
Why the Jennifer Lopez Sheer Top Trend Isn't Just About Being Naked
Let’s be real for a second. JLo is 56. In an industry that usually tries to hide women the second they hit 40, she’s out here wearing archival couture that requires a level of physical confidence most 20-somethings don't possess. The "sheer" part of the outfit isn't a lack of fabric; it’s a choice of texture.
Take her look from just a few days ago at the Vanity Fair pre-party. She wore a Zuhair Murad gown from the Fall-Winter 2025/26 collection. It was burgundy, it was beaded, and the skirt was—you guessed it—completely see-through. But she paired it with a cropped red fur jacket. That’s the "JLo Formula": balance. If you're going sheer on the bottom, you add volume or structure on top. If the top is a gossamer-thin mesh, you pair it with heavy leather or structured tailoring.
The Breakdown of the "Brocade" Illusion
The 2026 Golden Globes gown was a "naked" dress, but it didn't feel cheap. Why?
- Archival Value: Using a 23-year-old dress (from the Spring-Summer 2003 collection) gives the look historical weight.
- The Tulle Factor: Hundreds of yards of silk tulle went into that mermaid hem. It wasn't just a strip of fabric; it was a sculpture.
- Strategic Embroidery: The lace vines were placed with surgical precision to provide coverage while mimicking the flow of her actual silhouette.
Stylists Mariel Haenn and Rob Zangardi have been leaning into this "vintage-meets-vengeance" aesthetic lately. It’s a pivot from the ultra-modern, almost clinical sheer looks we saw in 2024. This is more "Baroque fantasy." It’s richer.
The Evolution: From the Green Versace to the 2026 Mesh
You can’t talk about JLo and sheer fabric without mentioning that 2000 Versace dress. We all know the story—it basically birthed Google Images. But if you look at how she wears a jennifer lopez sheer top today, the vibe has shifted from "look at me" to "I own this."
Earlier in 2025, she showed up at the Grammys in a Stephane Rolland ensemble that was "business on top, party on the bottom." It was a black cropped turtleneck (completely opaque) paired with a shimmering, sheer champagne skirt. It was a 180-degree turn from her usual "all-over sheer" aesthetic. It showed a level of restraint. She’s playing with the idea of transparency rather than just the reality of it.
Recent Viral Moments (2025-2026)
- The IndieWire Honors (Dec 2024): She wore a goldish-silver "mesh" gown by The New Arrivals. It looked like liquid metal. It wasn't technically sheer in the "see-through" sense, but the fabric was so thin it acted like a second skin.
- The Sundance Premiere (Jan 2025): For Kiss of the Spider Woman, she did "method dressing" in a Valdrin Sahiti "Vortex 7" gown. It was literally a bedazzled spiderweb. This was the moment she reclaimed the "sheer top" narrative for her new era of film production.
- The Vegas Residency Teases (Jan 2026): She recently posted clips of a new bodysuit for her Vegas shows. It’s a nude base with green and gold crystals. Up close, it looks like a costume. From five feet away, it looks like she’s wearing nothing but jewelry.
How to Actually Pull Off the Sheer Look (The JLo Way)
Most people see these photos and think, "Cool, I'll never wear that." And yeah, maybe you aren't going to the Golden Globes in 2003 archival Scherrer. But the logic of the jennifer lopez sheer top is actually pretty wearable if you stop overthinking it.
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It’s all about the "Under-Layer Strategy." When JLo wore that bedazzled fishnet top to dinner at Cipriani’s in late 2024, she didn't go braless. She wore a nude, skin-tone bra that matched her complexion perfectly. That’s the secret. The "sheer" look only works if the foundation is invisible. If you can see the strap of a beige bra that doesn't quite match, the illusion is ruined.
Contrast is your best friend.
If you're wearing a sheer mesh top, don't wear it with leggings. Wear it with chocolate brown leather (like she did in LA) or high-waisted wide-leg trousers. You want a "heavy" fabric to anchor the "light" fabric.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Poor Lighting: Sheer fabric looks different under camera flashes. If you're wearing it out, check it under your phone's flashlight first. JLo's team literally tests her outfits with flash photography before she leaves the house.
- The Wrong Nude: "Nude" is not a universal color. Your undergarments must match your specific skin tone to create that seamless "naked" effect.
- Over-Accessorizing: When the top is sheer and bedazzled, keep the jewelry minimal. JLo usually sticks to one major statement (like her Sabyasachi brown diamond drops) and leaves the rest simple.
Final Insights on the JLo Aesthetic
The sheer trend isn't going anywhere in 2026. If anything, Jennifer Lopez has proven that it’s a timeless tool for "power dressing." It’s about taking up space and refusing to be invisible. Whether she’s in a vintage mermaid gown or a rhinestone fishnet top for dinner, the message is the same: the clothes are just the frame; she’s the art.
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To replicate this vibe without looking like you're in a costume, focus on the tonal look. Stick to one color family—like the rich mahoganies and espressos she’s been favoring lately. It makes the sheer elements feel sophisticated rather than just "racy."
Next Steps for Your Wardrobe:
- Invest in a high-quality nude bodysuit: This is the foundation for every sheer look you'll ever try.
- Look for "textured" sheers: Instead of plain mesh, look for burnout velvet, lace, or beaded tulle to add depth.
- Tailor your "heavy" pieces: If you're wearing a sheer top with trousers, ensure the trousers are perfectly tailored to balance the flowy nature of the top.
Focus on the architecture of the outfit. When you treat sheer fabric as a structural element rather than just "see-through cloth," you've officially mastered the JLo style.