Welcome to I Tried It Month, where we’ll be publishing a new fashion, beauty, or wellness article every day that features a first-person account of shaking up an old habit, pushing beyond a comfort zone, or simply trying something new. Follow along for 31 days of storytelling, including everything from trying new beauty treatments to copying the most risqué runway looks of the season.
Although I am an obvious fan of a major fashion moment or an unconventional runway trend, “naked” is not a term that has ever been used to describe my personal style. To give you some background, I am usually a chronically maximal dresser. My dressing comfort zone lies somewhere in between a borderline excessive amount of layers, a healthy, albeit heavy, mixture of baggy silhouettes, and a debatably extreme color-blocked ensemble. As you can imagine, none of this lends itself to overtly sexy dressing. But in the name of fashion, inclusivity, and a challenge, I’ve taken on some of 2023’s most daring trends.
Every time it seems like daring dressing has been pushed to its final limit, designers and celebrities seem to find a way to reinvent or further risqué trends. Exposed thongs, extreme cutouts, completely sheer pieces, and now onto Kendall Jenner’s viral Bottega Veneta “tights, no pants” look. As expected, this year the hemlines are continuing to climb, the cutouts are expanding, and even underwear is becoming outerwear.
The most important thing to note is that the key to nailing these trends is leading with confidence, regardless of size, shape, or status. So read on to join me on my introspective journey to try 2023’s top naked dressing trends with the confidence of Kendall Jenner, the figure of a girl who grew up on Southern food, and the budget of a Manhattan fashion writer.
Flesh-tone dressing is a challenge all its own. Prepare to hear “oh my gosh, I thought you weren’t wearing a top” more than “where are the rest of your (ripped) jeans?” from your relatives on holidays. I found that a thicker or more structured fabric was key to feeling comfortable in this invisible top. Accessorizing is my favorite sport so I styled up with a set of bright accessories.
I’m not here to tell you a bra under a suit is office appropriate, but I’m also not opposed to saying you could leave the house in it. In the recent seasons, the runways have been frequented by “bra as a top” looks, including the dichotomy of boxy suits and tiny bralettes. I pinned the blazer slightly under the buttons to create the illusion of it being unbuttoned, but not open. I purposely chose a sporty set of accessories to lean androgynous but of course, in pink.
For pretty (yet still somewhat naked) dressing, combine neutral tones in a lingerie-inspired look. I layered a flesh-tone top underneath my neutral slip and added pantyhose for an all-over tonal ensemble. Designers provided endless inspiration for “nude” slip dressing with coats and blazers over, tops under, and coordinating accessories. A variety of tones, textures, and materials break up the monochromatism.
Apparently, no one is wearing pants in 2023. Or at least not in the traditional sense. As pants-less looks seem to be popping up everywhere, my key to making it work is a longline coat. A monochromatic bodysuit and tights almost acts as a catsuit (another daring trend) and looks seamless under a piece of statement outerwear. This was the most “naked” I felt and it definitely took some getting used to. I opted for more opaque tights and a chunky loafer and sock combination to ground the look and make it feel less openly risqué.
Sheer peasant-style blouses were a runway hit this past season from Loewe to Valentino. The flowy, sheer top offers a more romantic aesthetic than body-hugging mesh. For comfort and practicality, I tossed on a tonal pink vest. Among the other styling ideas I contemplated were a slip dress (over or under), or a same-color tank underneath, paired with trousers. I ultimately finished off my final look with black cargo pants and black boots.
