Let’s be real. If you walked down a busy city street five years ago wearing a mesh shirt, you’d probably get some side-eye. Or a lot of it. But things have changed fast. Honestly, guys in see through clothes aren't just a Coachella or runway thing anymore. It’s hitting the mainstream, and it’s doing it with a lot more nuance than people realize.
Fashion moves in circles. We know this. But the current obsession with transparency in menswear feels different because it’s clashing—and sometimes merging—with traditional ideas of what "masculine" clothing is supposed to do. Usually, men's clothes are built to hide, protect, or structure the body. Sheer fabrics do the opposite. They reveal.
The Shift from Stage to Street
It didn't start with the guy at your local coffee shop. We have to look at the red carpets first. You’ve probably seen Harry Styles at the 2019 Met Gala. He wore that Gucci look with the sheer black lace and a single pearl earring. It was a massive moment. It basically broke the internet for a week. Since then, we’ve seen Lil Nas X, Shawn Mendes, and even athletes like Dwyane Wade leaning into fabrics that don't leave much to the imagination.
But why now?
Designers like Ludovic de Saint Sernin and brands like Bode or Ami Paris are pushing these boundaries because the "rules" of gendered clothing are dissolving. It’s not just about being provocative for the sake of it. It’s about texture. When you use organza, mesh, or crochet, you’re adding a layer that reacts to light. It’s technical. It’s artistic.
Material Matters: It’s Not All Just Mesh
When people think about guys in see through clothes, they usually jump straight to the "rave" look—neon mesh and sweat. While that’s a vibe, the high-fashion version is way more sophisticated.
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Take silk organza. It’s stiff, it’s expensive, and it holds a shape like a structural jacket but stays totally transparent. Then there’s crochet. Thanks to the massive DIY boom during the pandemic, crochet shirts became the "it" item for summer. They’re breezy. They’re technically see-through, but the patterns make it feel more approachable.
Then you have burnout fabrics. These are usually cotton-poly blends where a chemical process eats away some of the fibers to create a "devoré" or marbled transparency effect. It’s subtle. It’s for the guy who wants to try the trend without feeling totally exposed.
The Psychology of Being Seen
There is a weird tension in wearing something transparent. It’s vulnerable. Historically, men have been taught to use clothing as armor. A suit is a shield. A heavy denim jacket is protection.
By choosing sheer materials, men are rejecting that armor.
Psychologically, it signals a high level of body confidence, but also a willingness to be looked at. For a long time, the "male gaze" was something men projected onto others. Now, with the rise of fitness culture and social media, men are increasingly comfortable being the object of the gaze. It’s a power move, in a way.
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How to Actually Wear It Without Feeling Weird
Look, if you aren't a celebrity on a red carpet, wearing sheer stuff takes some strategy. You don't want to look like you're wearing a costume.
The easiest way in? Layering.
Put a sheer button-down over a simple white tank top. It creates depth. You get the texture of the lace or mesh without feeling like you're shirtless in public. Another move is the "peek-a-boo" approach—sheer panels on the sleeves or the back of a shirt, rather than the whole thing being see-through.
- Stick to dark colors first. Black or navy sheer fabric is much more forgiving than white or neon. It hides more of the skin's detail while still giving that translucent effect.
- Watch the fit. Tight mesh can look a bit "early 2000s club kid." A boxy, oversized sheer shirt looks modern and intentional.
- Pair with "heavy" fabrics. If your top is airy and transparent, wear heavy wool trousers or rugged denim. The contrast keeps the outfit grounded.
Addressing the Taboo
We can’t talk about guys in see through clothes without acknowledging the pushback. There’s still a segment of the population that finds it "too much." This usually stems from deep-seated ideas about modesty and gender roles. In some cultures, showing skin is strictly reserved for the beach or the gym.
But fashion has always been a space for friction.
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Even in the 1970s, the "mesh tee" was a staple in punk and queer subcultures. It was a way to rebel. Today’s version is just the evolution of that rebellion. It's less about "shock value" now and more about the freedom to choose a fabric based on how it looks and feels rather than what it "means" about your identity.
Practical Steps for Modern Styling
If you’re looking to integrate this into a wardrobe, don't go out and buy a fully transparent plastic shirt. That’s a nightmare for sweat. Stick to natural fibers where possible.
- Start with Knitwear. A loose-gauge linen knit is technically see-through but feels like a normal sweater. It's the perfect "gateway" garment.
- Check the Lighting. Before you leave the house, check your outfit in different lights. Some fabrics look opaque indoors but become invisible under direct sunlight. Know what you're showing.
- Grooming Matters. If you’re wearing sheer clothes, people are going to see your chest hair, tattoos, and skin. Make sure you’re comfortable with that level of visibility.
- Confidence is the Base Layer. If you’re fidgeting or trying to cover yourself up, the look won't work. The whole point of sheer clothing is the "I don't care" attitude.
The trend isn't slowing down. Luxury retailers like Ssense and Mr. Porter have seen a steady increase in "translucent" and "mesh" categories over the last three seasons. It’s becoming a summer staple because, honestly, it’s functional. When it’s 95 degrees out, a perforated or sheer fabric is just common sense.
The "see-through" movement is really just the final wall of the wardrobe coming down. Men are finally allowed to play with the same range of fabrics that women have had access to for centuries. It’s about time.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Audit your comfort level: Try on a mesh tank top under a blazer at home to see how you feel with the aesthetic before committing to a full sheer look.
- Search for "open-weave" instead of "see-through": When shopping, using technical terms like "open-weave," "pointelle," or "guipure" will lead you to higher-quality, sophisticated pieces rather than cheap costume gear.
- Focus on the undershirt: Invest in high-quality rib-knit tank tops. They are the essential foundation for making sheer outerwear look intentional and stylish rather than accidental.