How to Wear a See-Through Shirt & Stay Covered

• Wear a neutral-colored camisole or tank top underneath a sheer shirt for a seamless look.
• Choose a gray or neutral-colored undershirt to wear under a sheer button-down dress shirt.
• If you’re wearing a sheer white t-shirt, opt for a neutral-colored bra that matches your skin tone.

Wearing Something Underneath Your Sheer Top

Pick a lightweight camisole or tank top if your shirt is sleeveless. Choose one in a neutral color so it isn’t noticeable underneath your shirt, or match the camisole or tank to the color of your top for a seamless finish. If you’re wearing a sheer black top, for instance, you might pair it with a black camisole. You can find camisoles and tank tops in a variety of colors in most lingerie departments. For extra support in the chest area, wear a sports bra underneath your camisole or tank. If you want a smoother silhouette, opt for a compression bodysuit to instantly slim you down, or buy a smoothing tank top that doesn’t have thick seams.

Go with a short-sleeve undershirt under a button-down dress shirt. Select a skin tight undershirt so you don’t get any bulges underneath your button-down, and try to find one in a neutral color that blends into your skin tone. A short-sleeve will give you extra coverage and protect your dress shirt from deodorant stains (unlike a tank top or “wife beater”). If you can't find an undershirt in your skin tone, choose a gray or white one. You can find undershirts in most men's clothing departments near the socks and underwear.

Select a thin slip under a see-through shirt dress. Opt for a fitted slip dress if you want a more sexy or seamless look, or go for a looser slip for a more work-appropriate look. Make sure the slip is made of a smooth fabric so it doesn’t cling to your shirt dress or damage it. Try on the slip with your shirt dress before wearing it out. If it’s too long, hem your slip at home or take it to a tailor to get it shortened. Check the opacity of the slip underneath a flashlight to ensure your undergarments don't peak through in the sunlight.

Wear a smooth, neutral-colored bra under a white t-shirt. According to professional stylist Veronica Tharmalingam, “wearing a super smooth bra is more uniform” and gives a “more natural effect” under a sheer top. Pick a bra that matches your skin tone so it blends in seamlessly, or choose a gray bra if you can’t find a good color match. Many people think that a white bra works well under a white shirt, but it actually stands out against most skin tones!

Put a strapless, plunging bodysuit under a crocheted halter top. A cute crocheted top is a popular look for festivals and the summertime, but the gaps between the stitches can leave you exposed. For extra coverage, put on a strapless, plunging bodysuit in a neutral color before putting on the halter. Alternatively, wear a bandeau top if you don’t care about your stomach being exposed, or slip on a swimsuit underneath if you plan to wear the top to the beach or pool.

Wear a colorful or lacy bra for a sexy and daring look. Professional stylist Veronica Tharmalingam recommends wearing a bra in a “bold or unique color” for a party or night out. If you’re wearing a sheer black blouse, for example, you could pair it with a bright red bra. If you’re looking for a slightly more modest bra that’s still visible under your shirt, opt for a black triangle bralette or longline bralette.

Layering Pieces Over Your Sheer Top

Put on a second sheer top over the see-through shirt for coverage. If you don't feel like finding an undershirt that blends in with your skin tone, wear another layer over your see-through shirt. Try a lightweight top like a mesh shirt so it doesn't completely hide your see-through shirt, and keep layering until you’re happy with the amount of coverage. Choose an outer layer that’s longer than your see-through shirt for an effortless look, or tie it to match the length of your base layer. Experiment with pairing different fabrics together! For a punk-inspired look, you could wear a fishnet or mesh top over a simple tank.

Cover a long see-through shirt with a sweater or cardigan. If you have a long see-through tank or top, throw an oversized sweater or cardigan on top. This covers your chest and lets the sheer fabric peek out at the bottom, giving you a cute and preppy look. Have fun with uniquely cut sweaters. Try a sweater with an oversized neckline so one of your shoulders is visible, especially if you want more of the sheer shirt to show.

Wear a blazer or jacket to cover most of the sheer shirt. Image consultant and personal wardrobe stylist Katie Quinn recommends wearing a light jacket for a casual daytime event. However, professional stylist Veronica Tharmalingam suggests wearing a heavier, fitted blazer for a more formal look on a night out. Play around with different styles and textures to see what looks best with your specific shirt!

Use a shawl or wrap if you'd like an accessory that gives coverage. A bold or bright shawl can distract from the sheer nature of your shirt while covering it a bit. To get a flowy effect, drape a sheer shawl over your shoulders. For a more modest look, wrap an opaque shawl across your front and tie the ends behind you. Get creative tying and styling your shawl! Braid or twist the shawl so it hangs on one side, or add a decorative pin to add some sparkle and hold the ends in place.

Sewing a Lining into a Sheer Top

Turn your sheer top inside out and place a t-shirt over the front side. Lay your sheer top on a flat surface, and smooth out any wrinkles or bunched-up fabric. Place a t-shirt on top so it covers the front of your see-through top completely. This will act as an additional layer of fabric to help your top look less sheer. Choose a t-shirt in a solid color that matches or complements your sheer top.

Trace the shape of your sheer top onto the t-shirt. Use a pencil to trace the outline of your sheer top onto the t-shirt, and double check that you draw the correct neckline. If the front of your shirt has a higher neckline, for example, trace that one instead of the lower neckline. Don’t worry if your outline isn’t perfect—you can trim the excess fabric from your shirt once you sew it on!

Cut out the outline and place the fabric on the inside of your sheer top. Use a sharp pair of scissors to trim around the outline that you drew on the t-shirt. Turn your sheer top inside out, line up the piece of fabric (from the t-shirt) over your sheer top, then smooth it out so it lays flat.

Sew the fabric around the perimeter of your sheer top. Pin the fabric to the perimeter of your sheer top so it stays in place while you sew. Using thread that matches the color of your top, thread the needle and sew a straight stitch around the border of your sheer top, connecting the fabric and your sheer top together. Make sure you don’t accidentally sew both sides of the sheer top together. Repeat this process on the back side of your sheer top if you want the back to be opaque too. Once you’ve finished sewing the fabric to your sheer top, flip your shirt right-side-out, then trim off any excess fabric that peeks out from the perimeter of your top.