The Naked Dress Trend
Fashion has been a powerful mode of expression for women, especially since the 1960s. Learn how the naked dress trend has re-emerged and evolved during Uranus-Pluto world transits.
Throughout history, women's clothing has been a powerful medium for self-expression and challenging societal norms. The relationship between women, their bodies, and their attire has long been complex, often reflecting broader cultural attitudes and power dynamics. As fashion evolves, certain styles emerge that push boundaries and redefine notions of modesty, sensuality, and female empowerment.
The "naked dress" trend—a garment that creates the illusion of nudity while maintaining a veneer of coverage—has periodically resurfaced, captivating public attention and sparking debates about body autonomy, sexuality, and the male gaze. From the revolutionary 1960s to the present day, this provocative style has served as a barometer for changing attitudes towards women's bodies and their right to sartorial self-determination.
Synchronistically, each time the naked dress trend infiltrated popular culture, the planets Uranus and Pluto were in alignment: 1960s, 1990s, 2010s, and now, the 2020s. The archetypal combination of Uranus-Pluto expresses: radical liberation, power to the masses, the drive for innovation, and the deep striving for change.
1960s Uranus-Pluto Square: Sexual Liberation
The 1960s ushered in a revolutionary era for fashion, with the naked dress trend emerging as a bold statement of sexual liberation. During the Uranus-Pluto square (1960–1972) designers pushed boundaries of conventional modesty.
Yves Saint Laurent shocked the fashion world in 1968 with his sheer organza blouses that left little to the imagination, while his 1966 "nude" evening dress featured strategically placed sequins on transparent fabric, creating a daring illusion of nudity. André Courrèges, known for his space-age aesthetics, pushed boundaries with his own take on revealing fashion. He introduced transparent dresses with clear PVC panels that boldly exposed the breasts and midriff, as well as ultra-short minidresses and geometrically cut-out garments that challenged conventional notions of coverage.
Both designers' creations embodied the era's spirit of rebellion and sexual freedom, redefining femininity and setting new standards for provocative fashion. Their innovative approaches to the naked dress not only reflected the social upheaval of the time but also paved the way for future explorations of transparency and revelation in fashion.
André Courrèges design (left) and Yves Saint Laurent design (right) from the 1960s.
1990s Uranus-Pluto sextile: Creative Freedom
The naked dress trend experienced a significant resurgence in the 1990s, with supermodels and celebrities pushing the boundaries of revealing clothing. As a softer alignment of the Uranus-Pluto sextile unfolded from 1993–2000, a reverberation of the 60s was felt in popular culture.
Kate Moss, the epitome of '90s "heroin chic," famously wore a sheer, silver slip dress to an Elite Model Agency party in 1993. The dress, which clearly revealed her underwear, caused a sensation and became one of the defining fashion moments of the decade. Moss's waif-like figure in the translucent dress challenged the voluptuous beauty standards of the previous era and set a new tone for provocative fashion.
Jennifer Lopez, on the other hand, brought the naked dress into the new millennium with her headline-making green Versace dress at the 2000 Grammy Awards. The tropical print dress, held together by a single brooch and cut daringly low, exposed significant skin and became instantly iconic. It was so impactful that it reportedly led to the creation of Google Images–a brilliant reflection of the Uranus-Pluto combination in how the power of the female body (Pluto) led to a new innovation (Uranus).
These moments reflected a shift in celebrity culture, where the red carpet became a place for stars to make bold fashion statements. The naked dresses of the '90s, while still revealing, often played with texture and translucency rather than focusing solely on cut-outs or body-hugging silhouettes, symbolizing another major transit of the 90s: Uranus-Neptune. With the influence of Neptune, a soft tenderness tends to be embraced. This era's take on the trend blended elements of grunge, minimalism, and unabashed sexuality, creating a unique aesthetic that continues to influence fashion today.
Kate Moss in 1993 (left) and Jennifer Lopez in 2000 (right).
2010s Uranus-Pluto Square: Radical Disruption
The naked dress trend reached new heights in the 2010s, with celebrities pushing the boundaries of red carpet fashion to unprecedented levels. This era, coinciding with the Uranus-Pluto square (2007–2020), saw a bold resurgence of revealing gowns that left little to the imagination.
Rihanna made headlines at the 2014 CFDA Fashion Awards in a custom Adam Selman gown that became instantly iconic. The sheer, Swarovski crystal-encrusted dress featured a matching headpiece and stole. The gown, which contained over 230,000 crystals, created a shimmering, liquid-like effect that both concealed and revealed. Rihanna's bold choice pushed the naked dress trend to new extremes and set a new standard for red carpet provocation.
The following year, Beyoncé attended the 2015 Met Gala in a stunning Givenchy Haute Couture gown that further cemented the naked dress trend. The sheer, form-fitting dress was strategically adorned with crystals and colored stones, creating a dazzling effect while leaving little covered. Beyoncé's late arrival in this showstopping gown dominated media coverage of the event and reinforced her status as a fashion icon.
These moments marked a shift in the naked dress trend, moving from mere transparency to strategic embellishment that both revealed and adorned the body. The gowns worn by Rihanna and Beyoncé showcased a blend of artistry and audacity, challenging notions of modesty while celebrating the female form. Their choices reflected a broader cultural movement towards body positivity and self-expression, while also sparking debates about feminism, empowerment, and the nature of celebrity in the social media age–all deeply intertwined Uranus-Pluto themes.
Beyonce in 2015 (left) and Rihanna in 2014 (right).
2020s Uranus-Pluto Trine: Roaring Twenties?
The naked dress trend continues to evolve as the current decade unfolds. As we transition from the hard aspect of the square to the soft alignment of the Uranus-Pluto trine (2021–2032), we may be surprised by how the naked dress will mold and expand in new ways.
At the recent Cannes Film Festival, Bella Hadid's dress featured an innovative blend of sheer and opaque elements, with a halter neckline and a uniquely knotted bodice. The design, which included delicate hosiery details and a streamlined skirt that fell just below the knee, merged avant-garde style with sophisticated elegance. Hadid's ensemble was a bold choice that highlighted her trend-setting taste and left a lasting impression.
At Vogue World: Paris, Katy Perry captivated the audience in a daring naked dress that effortlessly combined allure with high fashion. The piece left little to the imagination, showcasing her figure with tasteful transparency. Intricate detailing and a strategic design ensured the ensemble remained sophisticated despite its bold reveal. Perry's choice highlighted her fearless approach to fashion, making a striking statement with a blend of sensuality and elegance that stole the spotlight on the glamorous stage.
The last time Uranus and Pluto were in a trine (120º alignment) was during the 1920s, what has come to be known as the "Roaring 20s." So will we feel the reverberation of the 1920s? Perhaps flapper dresses that are more sheer in nature? It will be exciting to track this trend as the decade unfolds.
Bella Hadid (left) and Katy Perry (right).
Women's Empowerment
Speaking of Katy Perry, she recently released a new tune along with a bold music video titled Woman's World. It brilliantly captures the Uranus-Pluto aesthetic of radical freedom and disruptive power. The music video starts with an ode to the classic feminist "We Can Do It!" poster which was produced in 1943 during a Uranus-Pluto sextile.
The scene in which she gets crushed by a falling anvil and then recovers as a new woman with bionic legs profoundly reflects the Uranus-Pluto aspect. Pluto symbolizes that which is heavy and taboo, while Uranus expresses freedom and technological innovation.
While the music video has received considerable criticism, it portrays the theme of female empowerment through the Uranus-Pluto lens with remarkable clarity and depth. The 2020s are shaping up to be an intriguing decade for women's relationship with freedom and power.