Cannes Film Festival 2023 Was the Year of Sheer and See-through Dresses

The 76th annual Cannes Film Festival isn’t only a scene for films and moviemaking at large but for head-turning fashion moments as well.

Among all the trends that dominated the festival’s fashion this year, sheer was a popular one. Many attendees embraced see-through details with their dresses on the red carpet. Here, WWD takes a closer look at the sheer-inspired looks that have appeared at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.

Pom Klementieff

© Provided by WWD Pom Klementieff at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.

Pom Klementieff brought bondage-themed details to sheer dressing at the start of the 2023 Cannes Film Festival on May 16, wearing a shimmering purple Versace gown. The ensemble incorporated luxe leather-like detailing and a sheer panel-style bodice.

Abbey Lee

© Provided by WWD Abbey Lee at the “Monster” screening and red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival.

To the “Monster” screening and red carpet on May 17, Abbey Lee paired sheer details with monochromatic dressing in a Saint Laurent gown. Her dress details included a fully sheer top with a ruffled neckline and a form-fit skirt.

The model and actress accessorized her look with a gold arm cuff and a black chain handbag.

Irina Shayk

© Provided by WWD Irina Shayk at the “Killers of the Flower Moon” screening red carpet in Cannes.

To the “Killers of the Flower Moon” screening and red carpet on May 20, Shayk arrived wearing a deep blue Giorgio Armani gown from 1984. The plunging ensemble cinched her at the waist and featured a tiered ballerina-like skirt.

Eva Herzigova

© Provided by WWD Eva Herzigova at the Kering Women in Motion Dinner.

To the Kering Women in Motion Dinner on May 21, Eva Herzigova kept things classic in a Saint Laurent dress. The off-the-shoulder ensemble featured total sheer detail, which the model paired with black panties and gold jewelry.

Sabrina Dhowre Elba

© Provided by WWD Sabrina Dhowre Elba at the “Firebrand (Le Jeu De La Reine)” red carpet.

Sabrina Dhowre Elba added a whimsical touch to sheer dressing while attending the “Firebrand (Le Jeu De La Reine)” red carpet, wearing Elie Saab Couture. The gown featured a flesh-toned sheer bodice with crystal embellishments and a skirt adorned in baby blue and blush pink fabric.

Jessica Wang

© Provided by WWD Jessica Wang at the “Firebrand (Le Jeu De La Reine)” red carpet.

Jessica Wang made a statement arrival in a fiery-red number to the “Firebrand (Le Jeu De La Reine)” red carpet. By LaQuan Smith, the sheer gown incorporated dramatic ruffled detail along her shoulders and skirt.

Brie Larson

© Provided by WWD Brie Larson at the Kering Women in Motion Dinner.

Brie Larson opted for a Chanel gown with floral detail and a sheer black cape-shawl to the Kering Women in Motion Dinner on May 20. Larson, whose latest role was in the Fast and Furious film “Fast X,” was outfitted by stylist Samantha McMillen for the festival events.

Claire Holt

© Provided by WWD Claire Holt at the “Club Zero” screening and red carpet.

Claire Holt, who is known for her aquatic role in the 2000s series “H2O,” wore a Rasario maxi dress to the “Club Zero” screening and red carpet on Monday. Showcasing her growing baby bump, the gown featured shimmering silver straps over her chest and waist, with a sheer black base and a slim skirt.

Kate Beckinsale

© Provided by WWD Kate Beckinsale at the “The Pot au Feu” screening and red carpet.

Kate Beckinsale wore a light green fully-beaded romper with a taffeta overskirt from Zuhair Murad’s spring 2023 couture collection. The romper featured dazzling bead embellishments that adorned her shoulders, chest and parts of her torso, with a sheer base.

Eva Longoria

© Provided by WWD Eva Longoria at the 29th amfAR Gala Cannes.

Eva Longoria added see-through details to all-black dressing at the amfAR Gala on Thursday, wearing a black Ashi Studio gown with a completely-sheer bottom half. The top of Longoria’s gown included shinning black embellishments adorning her shoulders and neckline.

Alessandra Ambrosio

© Provided by WWD Alessandra Ambrosio at the 29th amfAR Gala Cannes.

Alessandra Ambrosio embraced full glamour in a custom Dundas sheer Celtic deco-inspired embellished halter neck and nude silk tulle gown. The model paired her ensemble, which also included a plunging neckline and high center front-slit with a white feather shawl.