Over the years, the naked dress has gone from shocking to iconic. Whether it’s made of sheer fabric, covered in crystals, or just barely-there, this daring style has been worn by celebrities who aren’t afraid to make a statement.
While the naked dress might not be for everyone, it’s clear that it’s more than just a red carpet look. It’s a symbol of confidence, freedom, and sometimes even rebellion. Whether it’s 1962 or 2023, these iconic moments remind us that fashion is, above all else, personal—and powerful.
Let’s take a look at some unforgettable times when stars completely owned the red carpet in their version of the naked dress.
Marilyn Monroe – “Happy Birthday, Mr President” (1962)
This one really set the tone. Marilyn’s now-legendary dress—so tight it had to be sewn onto her—was practically invisible except for the sparkle.
She wore it while singing to President John F Kennedy at Madison Square Garden, and the world hasn’t stopped talking about it since. So much so that Kim Kardashian wore the dress to the Met Gala once, walking the red carpet with the-then boyfriend Pete Davidson.
Rihanna – 2014 CFDA Awards
Rihanna doesn’t just follow fashion trends, she defines them. Her sheer Adam Selman gown was covered in over 230,000 Swarovski crystals, and absolutely nothing underneath. She looked stunning, confident, and completely unbothered.
Cher – Multiple times, honestly
When it comes to pushing boundaries, Cher has always been a step ahead. Her 1974 Bob Mackie creation at the Met Gala was sheer, bedazzled, and unforgettable. Then in 1988, she wore another version to the Oscars—glamorous, glittery, and pure Cher. What can we say? She knows how to leave a mark.
Rose McGowan – 1998 MTV VMAs
Rose made a statement. And how, That chainmail-style dress (or… lack of one) turned heads and started conversations.
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She later revealed it was her way of pushing back against the exploitative nature of the industry. Love it or hate it, you remember it—and that’s kind of the point.
Beyoncé – 2015 Met Gala
Arriving fashionably late, Beyoncé showed up in a sparkling, sheer Givenchy number that left the internet gasping. The dress fit her like a glove and was covered in carefully placed embellishments. It was one of those moments where no one else really mattered on that red carpet.
Malaika Arora – 2023 Diwali Bash
And yes, the naked dress trend has made waves in Bollywood too. Malaika Arora stunned at a Diwali party hosted by Manish Malhotra, wearing a crystal-embellished sheer gown that Indian fashion circles couldn’t stop talking about. It was bold for a traditional setting, but that’s exactly what made it unforgettable. “India’s answer to the Hollywood naked dress,” said many netizens at the time, and we couldn’t agree more.
