Anne Hathaway used to be the "safe" girl of Hollywood. You remember, right? The Princess Diaries era. The sensible gowns. The "I’m just happy to be here" energy that people, for some reason, loved to poke fun at. But then, something shifted. She stopped playing by the unspoken rules of "likability" and started leaning into high-fashion chaos. And honestly? It’s been glorious to watch.
If you’ve been scrolling through style archives lately, you’ve probably seen it: the Anne Hathaway sheer black top aesthetic that basically broke the internet and redefined her entire "vibe." Whether it was the mesh tartan on the set of The Devil Wears Prada 2 or that jaw-dropping Valentino moment in Berlin, she’s proven that "see-through" doesn't have to mean "scandalous." It can just be... cool.
The Berlin Moment: When Sheer Became High Art
Let’s talk about February 2023. The Berlin International Film Festival. While most people were wearing heavy coats and sensible layers for the German winter, Anne stepped onto the red carpet for the premiere of She Came to Me in a Valentino Haute Couture gown that was, essentially, a cage of leather bows over a sheer polka-dot underlay.
It was a risk. A big one.
The dress featured hundreds of tiny leather bows held together by a translucent mesh. She paired it with leather opera gloves, which gave the whole look a sort of "punk-rock princess" energy. It wasn't just a dress; it was a statement. It said, "I’m 40, I’m an Oscar winner, and I can wear whatever the hell I want."
What made this specific Anne Hathaway sheer black top look work wasn't just the dress itself, but the styling. Her stylist, Erin Walsh, has been the secret weapon behind this "Anne-naissance." By adding the leather gloves and a messy-chic updo with those iconic bangs, they avoided the "naked dress" cliché. It felt intentional. It felt like fashion.
Why We’re All Obsessed With the Sheer Trend Now
You might be wondering why this matters in 2026. Well, look around. The "free the nip" movement has evolved into something more nuanced. It’s about texture. It’s about layering.
Anne has been a pioneer of the "Grown-Up Sheer" look. Just recently, while filming the much-anticipated The Devil Wears Prada 2 in Manhattan, she was spotted in a sheer tartan mesh top tucked into a black pleated midi skirt. Even when she accidentally broke a heel on camera (which she handled like a total pro, bagel in hand), the outfit remained the star.
The Evolution of a Look
- 2003: A young Anne wears a sheer brown dress to the School of Rock premiere. Photographers don't tell her it's see-through under the flashes. She later says it "sucked."
- 2023: She intentionally chooses sheer Valentino, reclaiming the look on her own terms.
- 2025/2026: Sheer becomes a staple of her "Andy Sachs 2.0" wardrobe, blending corporate edge with high-fashion transparency.
It’s a full-circle moment. She went from an accidental fashion victim to a woman who uses transparency as a tool of empowerment.
The "Andy Sachs" Effect
We can't talk about Anne without talking about The Devil Wears Prada. For years, she lived in the shadow of that character. But in the last couple of years, she’s finally merged with her. Seeing her in a Anne Hathaway sheer black top on a talk show or a film set feels like the ultimate "Glow Up."
She’s no longer the girl who doesn't know what cerulean is. She’s the woman who sits front row at Versace and Valentino.
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Take her appearance on The Tonight Show where she rocked a sheer black bustier top with loose trousers. It was sophisticated. It was "office-core" if the office was a high-end art gallery in Chelsea. It’s that specific blend of "I have a job" and "I have a life" that makes her current style so relatable to women in their 30s and 40s.
How to Pull Off the Sheer Black Look (Without the Red Carpet)
Look, most of us aren't heading to a film festival in Berlin anytime soon. But that doesn't mean the Anne Hathaway sheer black top vibe is off-limits. The key is in the layering.
Anne often uses a high-quality bodysuit or a sleek slip dress underneath her sheer pieces. This creates a "trompe l'oeil" effect—it looks like skin, but it’s actually a deliberate layer.
If you want to try this, start with a sheer turtleneck. Toss a sharp black blazer over it. You get that hint of edge without feeling totally exposed. Or, go for the "tartan mesh" look she wore on set—pair a patterned sheer top with a high-waisted skirt. It’s about balance. If the top is loud and transparent, the bottom should be structured and solid.
The Nuance of the "New Anne"
There's a lot of talk about how Anne "doesn't age," but I think that’s the wrong way to look at it. She’s aging publicly and doing it with a lot of grace and a little bit of "I don't care what you think."
The sheer trend is inherently bold. It requires a level of confidence that her younger self might not have had. By leaning into these daring looks, she’s signaling a shift in how Hollywood views women over 40. We aren't relegated to "modest" mother roles anymore. We can wear the leather, we can wear the mesh, and we can definitely wear the sheer black top.
Honestly, the best part about this fashion era is that it feels authentic. It doesn't feel like a costume. Whether she's tripping down stairs in Manhattan or posing for paparazzi in Paris, there's a sense of humor about it all.
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What’s Next for the Hathaway Style Files?
With The Devil Wears Prada 2 wrapping up and her 43rd birthday recently passing, it’s clear Anne isn't slowing down. We’ve seen her experiment with 200,000 pearls at the Met Gala and "spaghetti-inspired" vintage Valentino. But the sheer black aesthetic remains her home base. It’s the look that bridged the gap between "Americas Sweetheart" and "Global Fashion Icon."
If you’re looking to update your wardrobe, don't sleep on the sheer trend. It’s not going anywhere.
Next Steps for Your Wardrobe:
- Invest in a high-quality black bodysuit. This is your base layer for anything sheer.
- Look for "structural" sheer. Find tops with boning or embroidery that give the fabric some weight.
- Mix textures. Pair your sheer top with leather or heavy wool to create contrast.
- Embrace the "messy" hair. Part of why Anne’s looks work is that they aren't too perfect. A loose bun or lived-in bangs keep the sheer look from feeling too formal.
Anne Hathaway didn't just put on a shirt; she changed the conversation about what "appropriate" looks like for a woman in the spotlight. And that’s a legacy worth more than any trend.