Honestly, if you’ve been anywhere near a screen in the last five years, you’ve seen it. That shimmering, barely-there whisper of a dress that effectively broke the internet at the 2021 VMAs. Megan Fox didn't just walk onto that red carpet; she staged a hostile takeover of the digital conversation. Wearing a custom, completely transparent Mugler gown with nothing but a bedazzled thong underneath, she leaned into a level of visibility that most stars would find terrifying.
It wasn't an accident. It was a strategy.
For a long time, the world tried to put Megan Fox in a box—one labeled "2000s heartthrob" or "Transformers girl." But her pivot into high-concept, megan fox see through style wasn't just about showing skin. It was about reclaiming a narrative that had been taken from her during the peak of her early career. Working with stylist Maeve Reilly, the same architect behind Hailey Bieber’s street-style dominance, Fox began using sheer fabrics as a form of armor. It sounds like a contradiction. How is being naked "armor"?
Basically, by leaning so hard into the "sex symbol" trope on her own terms, she took the power away from the paparazzi and gave it back to herself.
The Evolution of the Mugler Moment
When people search for megan fox see through outfits, they usually start with that 2021 MTV Video Music Awards look. It’s the gold standard. Designed by Casey Cadwallader for Mugler, the dress featured delicate lines of crystals that mimicked the flow of water. It was reminiscent of Kim Kardashian’s 2019 Met Gala "wet" look, but Fox took it a step further into total transparency.
She paired it with "wet look" hair and Jimmy Choo pumps.
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The reaction was immediate. Some called it "tacky." Others called it "revolutionary." But the reality is that the "naked dress" has a long history in celebrity culture, stretching back to Rose McGowan’s 1998 VMAs look and even Marilyn Monroe’s birthday dress for JFK. Fox was simply the 21st-century version of that audacity. She told Vogue that she and Machine Gun Kelly often coordinate their looks, but for that night, she wanted to be the one who stood out.
She succeeded.
Not Just the Red Carpet
It’s not just about the big awards shows. If you look at her street style from 2023 and 2024, the sheer trend follows her everywhere.
- Malibu Dinners: In July 2023, she wore a Jean Paul Gaultier "illusion" dress to dinner with MGK. It looked sheer, but as she later pointed out on Instagram, it used a clever print to trick the eye. "Calm down, those are not my nipples," she joked to her followers.
- The Grammys Viewing Party: By early 2024, she was pushing boundaries again at the Jam for Janie party, wearing a metal mesh minidress that was basically a high-fashion chainmail.
- Maternity Boldness: Even into 2025, while pregnant with her child with MGK, she’s been spotted in sheer burgundy mesh dresses from brands like Camila Coelho. She’s following the Rihanna blueprint: pregnancy isn't something to hide; it's something to frame in fine mesh.
The Psychology of the Sheer Trend
There is a deeper layer here that most gossip blogs miss. Fox has been incredibly open about her struggles with body dysmorphia. In a 2023 interview with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, she admitted, "I have body dysmorphia. I don't even see myself the way other people see me."
That’s a heavy thing to carry.
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When you realize she’s often uncomfortable in her own skin, these bold, megan fox see through fashion choices feel less like "look at me" and more like "I am forcing myself to be seen." It’s a way of confronting her insecurities head-on. By choosing the most revealing clothes possible, she’s engaging in a public battle with her own self-perception.
How to Pull Off the Look (Without Being a Movie Star)
You don't need a Mugler budget to experiment with transparency. The "Megan Fox effect" has trickled down to every fast-fashion retailer and high-end boutique. But there’s a right way to do it if you aren't walking a red carpet in Brooklyn.
Layering is Your Friend
Fox often balances a sheer piece with something heavy. Think of a sheer mesh top under an oversized leather blazer. It gives that "peek-a-boo" effect without making you feel like you're standing in your underwear at a Starbucks.
The Undergarment Choice
This is where most people go wrong. If you’re going for a sheer look, the undergarments are the outfit. Megan usually opts for high-waisted briefs or bedazzled sets that match the dress exactly. It makes the look intentional rather than accidental.
Texture Contrast
Mixing a delicate sheer fabric with something "tough" like denim or combat boots creates a balanced silhouette. It’s that "rockstar girlfriend" aesthetic that Fox and Reilly perfected during their peak collaboration years.
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Why This Trend Isn't Going Anywhere
Fashion critics keep saying the naked dress is dead. They’ve been saying it since 2015. Yet, every year, a new version of the megan fox see through aesthetic pops up. Why? Because it’s the ultimate expression of body autonomy.
In a world that constantly tries to regulate how women look and behave, wearing something that leaves nothing to the imagination is a radical act of ownership.
Fox knows exactly what she’s doing. She knows that by wearing a sheer dress, she’s going to dominate the news cycle for 48 hours. She’s using her physical presence as a tool for relevance, but she’s doing it with a level of self-awareness that was missing in her early 20s.
If you're looking to incorporate this into your own wardrobe, start small. A sheer sleeve or a mesh panel can give you that edgy, confident vibe without the full-blown commitment of a VMA gown. Check out brands like Dion Lee or even the more accessible lines at Revolve to find pieces that play with transparency in a way that feels wearable.
Next Steps for Your Wardrobe:
- Invest in "intentional" undergarments: Look for seamless, high-waisted nudes or bold black sets that are designed to be seen.
- Experiment with mesh layering: Try a sheer turtleneck under a slip dress or over a silk camisole.
- Balance the reveal: If the top is sheer, keep the bottom structured (like tailored trousers or a heavy midi skirt).