Honestly, if you've been anywhere near TikTok or a fashion blog in the last couple of years, you know that the transition from "teen dancer" to "high-fashion powerhouse" is a rocky road. Most influencers get stuck in the middle. Not Charli. When the Charli D'Amelio see through dress moment hit the internet during the 2024 festival season, it wasn't just another outfit. It was a line in the sand.
She wore a sheer, white knit maxi dress to the Revolve Festival—often lumped in with Coachella—and the reaction was, well, loud. Some people loved the daring vibe. Others? They were weirdly upset that the girl they used to watch do the "Renegade" was suddenly dressing like a grown woman. But here’s the thing: she is a grown woman.
The Coachella Moment That Changed Everything
Let’s talk about that specific white dress. It was a delicate, floor-length piece with butterfly detailing, completely sheer, worn over black high-waisted underwear and paired with chunky black combat boots. It was a classic "festival core" look, yet it felt different because of who was wearing it.
People on the internet have a hard time letting child stars grow up. You saw it with Miley, you saw it with Selena, and now we’re seeing it with the D'Amelios. The controversy didn't stem from the dress being "too much" for the event—it's the desert, after all—but from the fact that it shattered the PG-rated, girl-next-door image she’d held since 2019.
Charli didn't just take the criticism lying down. She actually posted a sarcastic response on TikTok, quipping, "I actually do have nipples." It was a rare moment of edge from a creator who usually keeps things very polished. It worked. By acknowledging the "scandal" with a shrug, she took the power back from the trolls who were trying to shame her for a fairly standard fashion choice.
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From TikTok Trends to Prada Campaigns
While the festival look got the most "outrage" clicks, it’s far from the only time Charli has used transparency to make a point. She’s been leaning heavily into the "sheer dressing" trend that’s dominated the runways of 2024 and 2025.
- The Prada Mode Event (London): She recently stepped out in a sheer black tank top paired with a structured gray skirt. It was minimalist, expensive-looking, and signaled her deep ties with Prada.
- The Rokh Sheer Long-Sleeve: During a trip to Monte Carlo, she wore a Rokh Fall 2023 piece—a long-sleeve sheer dress with strategic cutouts. This wasn't "viral for the sake of viral." This was high-fashion curation.
- Swarovski Glam: More recently, she posted a soft-glam look featuring a black floral set with sheer panels. It felt more mature, focusing on texture and layering rather than just "shock value."
This shift is intentional. You don't get invited to sit front row at Milan Fashion Week by accident. By embracing the Charli D'Amelio see through dress aesthetic, she is effectively distancing herself from the "TikToker" label and moving into the "It Girl" territory occupied by the likes of Kendall Jenner or Bella Hadid.
Why the "Sheer" Aesthetic Matters for Her Brand
Fashion is a language. For Charli, sheer fabrics represent a departure from the oversized hoodies and sweatpants of her early career. It's about body autonomy. It's about showing that she can handle the scrutiny of the high-fashion world, which is notoriously elitist.
Critics often argue that these looks are "uncharacteristic," but that’s exactly the point. Evolution is supposed to be uncharacteristic of the past version of yourself. If she were still wearing the same outfits she wore at fifteen, her brand would be stagnant. Instead, she’s leveraging these bold choices to secure deals with brands like Swarovski and Prada, proving to the industry that her reach extends far beyond a 15-second dance clip.
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What People Often Get Wrong About the Controversy
Most of the "outrage" you see in comment sections isn't actually about the clothes. It's about the loss of relatability. When Charli wears a $3,000 sheer designer gown, she isn't the "relatable teen" anymore. She’s a celebrity.
"The audience on TikTok, they like authenticity," Dixie D'Amelio once noted in an interview.
Ironically, Charli's choice to wear what she wants—even if it's "controversial"—is a form of authenticity. She’s not pretending to be the sixteen-year-old girl from Connecticut anymore. She’s a 21-year-old mogul living in Los Angeles. If she wants to wear a sheer dress and combat boots to a desert party, that’s probably the most authentic thing she could do.
How to Style Sheer Like a Pro (The Charli Way)
If you’re looking to pull off the sheer look without feeling like you’re in a costume, take a page out of her book. It’s all about the "High-Low" balance.
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- Contrast is Key: If you’re wearing a delicate white sheer dress, pair it with "heavy" items like combat boots or a leather jacket. This keeps the look from feeling too precious or too much like lingerie.
- Intentional Undergarments: Charli often uses black undergarments under white sheer fabric. It’s a bold choice that makes the "see-through" element look like a design feature rather than an accident.
- Monochrome Layers: Stick to one color palette. A sheer black top with a black bralette and black trousers looks sophisticated and intentional.
The Reality of Being a Fashion Icon in 2026
The conversation around the Charli D'Amelio see through dress is ultimately a conversation about how we treat young women in the public eye. As she continues to experiment with her style, the "shocker" factor will eventually wear off. We're already seeing it; her more recent sheer looks are met with "Empress" and "Stunning" comments rather than the confusion seen in 2024.
She’s successfully navigated the transition. She’s proven that you can be the girl who started on a phone app and end up as the face of a legacy luxury brand. The sheer dress wasn't a mistake—it was a strategic, stylish move that told the world she’s ready for the next chapter.
If you're following Charli's style evolution, your next move is to look at her recent Prada "Get Ready With Me" posts. They show exactly how she layers these high-fashion pieces into a wearable, everyday aesthetic. You can also track the specific designers she's wearing—like Rokh and Monot—to see where the next big "sheer" trends are heading before they hit the mainstream.