What to wear under a transparent dress? Guide and tips

Sheer and transparent dresses have become one of those “calculated risks” in the wardrobe: they are stunning, but they can ruin the outfit (and the event) if what you wear underneath is not up to the task. It’s easy for that to happen: you find a dress you love, you try it on, you feel amazing... until the light changes and you start wondering what to wear under a sheer or see-through dress to stay elegant and feel secure.

The good news is that you don’t have to give up on the dress. The secret is choosing the right lingerie, designed to work as a second skin: pieces that blend with your skin tone, don’t dig in, and adapt to the cut of the dress. Today there are lingerie options created specifically for transparent, lightweight or fitted dresses, helping you enhance the look without sacrificing comfort.

In this guide, you’ll find clear answers to that recurring question – “what can I wear under a transparent dress?” – depending on the type of dress, the fabric and the level of coverage you want. And of course, suggestions of pieces from Ysabel Mora designed to support you with comfort, invisibility and style for any occasion.

Quick guide: what to wear under a transparent or sheer dress

If you’re in a rush, here’s a quick summary:

• For casual or summer dresses: soft bralettes, lightweight lingerie, biker-style shorts or loungewear.
• For party or evening dresses: shaping bodies, light slips, invisible bras, adhesive or multiway solutions.
• For lace or tulle dresses: smooth lingerie in nude or skin tones, without lace underneath.
• For white or very thin fabrics: nude lingerie (not white) and light shaping pieces.

What to wear under a transparent dress, depending on the style

There isn’t a single answer to the question “what to wear under a transparent dress”. It depends on the cut, colour, fabric and occasion: casual, work, event, evening... That’s why the ideal approach is to think in scenarios and choose strategic lingerie for each situation.

If you want to go further and better understand which type of lingerie suits each moment – from everyday looks to special occasions – you can take a look at this guide on lingerie types to find your ideal style. Being clear about your base style makes it much easier to decide what to wear under each dress.

Casual or summer sheer dress

For light, flowing dresses with soft transparency (like gauze, fine cotton or linen), the goal is to keep the look fresh and stay comfortable for hours.

• Top half: wireless bralettes, soft tops or crop-top style bras in stretchy, soft-touch fabrics. They work well with thin straps, halter necklines or more relaxed dresses.
• Bottom half: light shaping shorts or biker-style shorts in nude tones help avoid visible panty lines and reduce transparency when the fabric clings to the skin.

These are lightweight solutions for everyday wear: they don’t squeeze, don’t dig in and give you full freedom of movement.

If you want even more comfort, the loungewear sets from Ysabel Mora work perfectly as a base layer: second-skin-style tops and light shorts that disappear under fluid dresses. A practical way to gain coverage without losing movement or style.

Evening or party dress

For guest dresses, cocktail dresses or evening looks, transparencies usually come together with body-hugging cuts. Here the question is not only what to wear under a sheer dress, but also how to achieve a smoother, more elegant silhouette.

Shaping bodies and light slip-style shapewear are some of the best solutions:

• They smooth the tummy, hips and bum.
• They even out the tone under thin fabrics.
• They avoid visual “cuts” by replacing several pieces with just one.

If the dress is fitted and more transparent than it looks on the hanger, a seamless shaping body is usually the cleanest and most discreet option. You’ll find different models in the shaping bodies collection by Ysabel Mora.

On the top half, adhesive bras or multiway bras are ideal for open backs, deep necklines or unusual straps. The key is to choose soft cups, invisible finishes and breathable materials to ensure comfort for hours without marks.

Lace or tulle dress

When the dress already has texture (like lace, tulle or plumetis), the ideal is that the lingerie doesn’t compete visually with it. Lace on lace tends to overload the look.

• Choose smooth pieces, without raised seams or patterns.
• Opt for nude, beige or tones as close as possible to your natural skin tone.

This way, the focus stays on the design of the dress, not on the seams or details of the lingerie. A seamless mid- or high-waist brief and a smooth cup bra in a skin tone work very well under delicate tulle or lace dresses.

White dress or thin fabric

This is one of the most common cases: a white dress that turns out more transparent than expected. Here’s a golden rule:

“Nude is better than white.”

White lingerie under a white dress almost always shows through more, especially under strong light or flash. Nude or skin-tone shades, on the other hand, tend to visually disappear and blend with your natural tone.

To avoid transparency under white dresses or very thin fabrics:

• Wear shaping briefs and seamless bras in skin tones.
• If the dress is very fitted, go for a shaping body to soften the silhouette and create a more uniform look.
• If the fit is looser, a well-chosen invisible lingerie set will be enough.

Ysabel Mora solutions for your sheer or transparent dress

Understanding what to wear under a transparent dress is easier when you have pieces designed exactly for that: invisibility, comfort and support where you need it. At Ysabel Mora, you’ll find options created to match every type of dress – from casual summer styles to the most elaborate party dresses.

Shaping bodies: support and discretion

Shaping bodies from Ysabel Mora are a 2-in-1 solution: they help define the silhouette and at the same time avoid marks from seams, elastics and edges. They are ideal for fitted dresses, fine knit fabrics or styles with strategic transparencies around the waist and hips.

Their soft, stretchy fabrics wrap the body without feeling restrictive, with reinforced areas where you need them most and flat finishes that do not show under clothing. There are models with different necklines, more or less open backs and adjustable straps to match the dress you choose.

Invisible lingerie: nude, seamless, no lines

Invisible lingerie is the most direct answer if you’re looking for what to wear under a see-through or sheer dress without overcomplicating things. Briefs, thongs or culottes in nude tones, with laser-cut finishes and ultra-thin fabrics, blend with your skin and disappear under clothing.

On the top half, smooth cup bras without lace or texture are ideal for delicate or very smooth fabrics. Seamless models with fine or multiway straps let you adapt the bra to different necklines and minimise any marks. And to ensure the result is truly comfortable and flattering, the most important thing is to wear the correct size – if you’re unsure, check our step-by-step bra size guide before choosing your model.

Bralettes and adhesive bras

For dresses with partial transparency, open backs or unusual necklines, bralettes and adhesive bras are a practical and versatile solution. A bralette also adds a touch of style when it peeks subtly through the transparency – with pretty straps, delicate fabrics and a design that enhances the outfit without losing elegance.

Adhesive bras are ideal when you don’t want to show any straps or back closure. They provide support focused on the bust, leaving shoulders and back free – essential for many party dresses. Always choose soft, hypoallergenic and breathable materials to ensure lasting comfort.

Loungewear and base layers

When the look is more relaxed, loungewear sets and basic pieces from Ysabel Mora work as a second skin under light dresses. Soft tops, fitted seamless T-shirts and thin shorts provide coverage where you want it without sacrificing movement or freshness.

They are a great choice if you don’t feel comfortable wearing only lingerie under your dress, but also don’t want to add heavy linings. And the bonus: you can keep using these pieces at home as comfy wear, even when you’re not styling them under a dress.

How to choose what to wear under a transparent dress

Despite all the possibilities, the final decision becomes much easier if you follow these steps:

Analyse the fabric and colour

• Light, thin or pastel fabrics: choose nude, skin-tone or “make-up” shades.
• Dark or printed fabrics: give you more freedom, but if they are very fitted, they can also show lines and edges.

Consider the occasion

• For everyday or casual looks: comfortable bralettes, light lingerie and loungewear are usually enough.
• For special events: shaping bodies, light slips and invisible bras help enhance the silhouette and avoid surprises with lighting and flash.

Decide the level of coverage you want

• If you want full discretion: go for smooth, invisible pieces designed to disappear under clothing.
• If you’re happy with a slightly bolder touch: let the lingerie show a little, as long as the design and colour work in harmony with the dress.

Do the light test

Don’t rely only on the mirror. Put on the dress with your chosen lingerie, walk around, sit down, lift your arms. If possible, check the outfit under different types of light (natural and artificial) and take a photo with flash. It’s the best way to spot areas that are more transparent than expected.

In short, choosing the right lingerie for a transparent dress is not about hiding your body, but about accompanying it with elegance and comfort. When the underwear is well chosen, it disappears – and what stands out is a look in which you feel secure, free and truly yourself.

A dress with transparency can be your best ally if you wear it with confidence. Next time you ask yourself what to wear under a sheer or see-through dress, think about what you really need: comfort, invisibility and a silhouette that supports you rather than restricting you.

At Ysabel Mora we design shaping bodies, invisible lingerie, bralettes and base layers so you can enjoy your favourite dresses without worrying about transparency. Choose the pieces that best match you and your style, try them on in front of the mirror and keep the combination that represents you the most.

When you feel comfortable, it shows – and transparencies stop being a problem to become part of the charm.