Fashion: The Naked Dress Trend and the Rise of Tate McRae

What is the Naked Fashion Trend?

• The trend involves wearing sheer or see-through garments that expose the body, often with minimal undergarments.

• The "naked dress" trend has been seen on red carpets for years, worn by celebrities like Rihanna, Beyoncé, Megan Fox, and Doja Cat.

• Tate McRae's take on the trend is described as subtle and elegant.

Why the Naked Dress is Trending

The "naked dress" trend is currently a popular fashion choice among celebrities, and it is gaining traction for several reasons. For one, it challenges traditional fashion norms by pushing boundaries and celebrating the human form. Additionally, it allows stars to make a bold statement on the red carpet, generating significant buzz and media attention. Finally, the trend aligns with a broader cultural shift toward body positivity and self-expression.

Overview

At the VMAs 2025, Tate McRae made a statement by embracing the viral "naked dress" trend. Her custom Ludovic de Saint Sernin dress was made of a sheer, gossamer fabric and was styled with minimal white undergarments and no necklace. This fashion moment signals a shift in her personal style, as she moves from more casual outfits to opulent gowns that reflect her rising status as a Gen Z favorite and her bold artistic persona.

Detailed Findings

• Tate McRae's dress was a custom Ludovic de Saint Sernin spring-summer 2026 look.

• The dress was a sheer white color, worn with minimal white undergarments and simple white heels.

• The pop star also chose to forgo a necklace, which is a constantly debated fashion choice but was deemed appropriate for this look.

• Her new fashion direction is described as "opulent" and aligns with her "hot girl aesthetic."

• This was her VMAs performance debut.

Key Success Factors of the Naked Fashion Trend

• Celebrity Endorsement: High-profile celebrities wearing the trend on major red carpets, such as the VMAs, drives its visibility and desirability.

• Social Media Virality: The controversial and eye-catching nature of the trend makes it a highly shareable and talked-about topic on social media platforms.

• Subtle Variations: While the core concept is the same, variations like Tate McRae’s subtle and elegant approach show how the trend can be adapted to different personal styles, making it more accessible to a wider audience.

• Emotional Connection: For an artist like Tate McRae, the boldness of the trend mirrors the emotional intensity and vulnerability of her music and choreography, creating a cohesive personal brand.

Key Takeaway

Tate McRae's VMAs fashion moment demonstrates her evolution from a casual dresser to a fashion icon, using a well-known trend to make a personal statement that aligns with her growing success and artistic boldness.

Main Trend

The main trend is the "naked fashion" or "naked dress" trend, characterized by the use of sheer, transparent, or minimal fabric to create a revealing look.

Description of the trend

The "naked dress" is a red carpet fashion trend where celebrities wear gowns or outfits that are largely see-through or expose a significant portion of the body. It challenges traditional norms of modesty and has become a symbol of confidence and body positivity.

Key Characteristics of the Core trend

• Sheer Fabric: The use of transparent materials like tulle, lace, or organza is a defining feature.

• Minimal Undergarments: The look is often completed with very little or strategically placed undergarments.

• Body as Canvas: The trend treats the body as an integral part of the overall look, showcasing curves and skin as part of the design.

• Boldness and Confidence: It is associated with a sense of daring and self-assuredness on the part of the wearer.

Market and Cultural Signals Supporting the Trend

• Rising Stars Embracing It: New generation stars like Tate McRae adopting the trend signifies its continued relevance and appeal across different age groups.

• Fashion House Endorsement: High-fashion brands like Ludovic de Saint Sernin creating custom pieces for celebrities demonstrates the trend's influence within the industry.

• Public Debate and Media Coverage: The trend sparks debate about fashion, modesty, and art, leading to widespread media coverage and maintaining its cultural presence.

• Shift from Casual to Opulent: For artists like Tate McRae, the trend marks a deliberate move toward a more glamorous and high-fashion image, indicating a maturation of their public persona.

What is consumer motivation

• Confidence and Self-Expression: Consumers are motivated to embrace this trend as a way to express their confidence and push back against traditional beauty standards.

• Celebrity Emulation: Fans are inspired to emulate the bold fashion choices of their favorite celebrities, viewing it as a way to connect with their idols' personal style.

• Trend Participation: There is a motivation to be part of a major cultural conversation and to stay current with popular fashion movements.

What is motivation beyond the trend

Beyond the trend itself, the motivation is about aligning with the broader cultural shift toward authenticity and vulnerability. For an artist like Tate McRae, her fashion choices are not just about style but about reflecting the same boldness and emotional depth found in her music. This creates a cohesive public image that resonates with her Gen Z audience.

Descriptions of consumers

Consumer Summary: Based on the article, the consumers who are engaging with and interested in this trend appear to be a younger demographic, particularly Gen Z. They are influenced by celebrities and pop culture and value authenticity and self-expression. They are likely to be active on social media and follow celebrity news and red carpet events. They see fashion as a form of personal statement and are willing to engage with controversial or daring trends. The consumers are likely to be female, or identify as such, and are interested in beauty, fashion, and pop music. They are also likely to be early adopters of new trends and are not afraid to push boundaries.

• Who are them: Fans of Tate McRae and other celebrities, individuals interested in pop culture, fashion, and beauty.

• What is their age?: Primarily Gen Z, with the article mentioning Tate McRae as a Gen Z favorite and her being 22 years old.

• What is their gender?: The article mentions female celebrities and "girlie" culture, suggesting a female-leaning audience.

• What is their income?: The article does not provide information about income, but the focus on celebrity fashion suggests a wide range of incomes, with aspiration being a key driver.

• What is their lifestyle?: A lifestyle that is heavily influenced by social media, pop culture, and celebrity trends. They are likely to be active, fashion-conscious, and interested in self-expression through style.

How the Trend Is Changing Consumer Behavior

• Shifting Norms: The trend is normalizing more revealing and less traditional red carpet looks, which can influence how consumers view formal wear and what they are comfortable wearing themselves.

• Increased Body Positivity: By celebrating a variety of body types through revealing fashion, the trend encourages a more body-positive consumer mindset.

• Integration of Fashion and Personal Brand: Consumers are increasingly seeing fashion as a way to communicate their personal brand and values, much like how Tate McRae's dress reflects her artistic boldness.

• Influence of Social Media: The virality of these looks on social media is driving a new kind of consumer behavior where trends are adopted quickly and widely, based on their visual impact and shareability.

Implications of the trend Across the Ecosystem

• For Consumers: The trend encourages consumers to be more experimental and confident in their fashion choices, fostering a culture of self-expression.

• For Brands and CPGs: Fashion brands are challenged to create innovative designs that are both daring and elegant. CPGs (Consumer Packaged Goods) in the beauty and skincare space, like Neutrogena mentioned in the article, may find opportunities to partner with artists who prioritize a natural, "skin care first" look to complement these fashion choices.

• For Retailers: Retailers may need to adapt their offerings to include more sheer, body-conscious, and minimalist styles to meet consumer demand.

Strategic Forecast

• Trend Evolution: The "naked dress" will likely continue to evolve, with new variations and interpretations appearing on the red carpet. Expect to see more subtle, elegant takes on the trend as designers find ways to make it more sophisticated and wearable.

• Integration with Personal Brand: As seen with Tate McRae, celebrities and influencers will continue to use fashion trends to reinforce their personal brand narratives.

• Focus on Body Positivity: The trend will continue to be a vehicle for promoting body positivity and challenging conventional beauty standards.

• Rise of Minimalist Accessories: As the focus remains on the dress and the body, a trend of minimalist accessories, like McRae’s choice to forgo a necklace, will likely continue to grow.

• New Material Innovation: Designers will explore new materials and techniques to create sheer and body-conscious garments that are both visually striking and comfortable.

Areas of innovation

• Textile and Fabric Innovation: Development of new, high-tech sheer fabrics that are both elegant and functional.

• Strategic Body Wear: Innovation in undergarments that are designed to be a visible and integrated part of the overall look.

• Personalization and Customization: Brands offering customizable "naked dress" designs to cater to individual body types and preferences.

• Sustainable Sheer Fabrics: Exploration of eco-friendly materials that can achieve the sheer, gossamer look while being environmentally conscious.

• Digital Fashion: Creation of virtual "naked dresses" for the metaverse and digital platforms, allowing consumers to experiment with the trend in a risk-free environment.

Summary of Trends

• Core Consumer Trend: The trend toward self-expression and body positivity through fashion choices. Consumers are moving away from conforming to traditional beauty standards and are using fashion to make a statement.

• Core Social Trend: The increasing influence of celebrity culture and social media on fashion norms, where a single red carpet moment can create a global conversation and drive a trend.

• Core Strategy: The strategic use of fashion by celebrities to align with their personal brand and professional evolution, as seen with Tate McRae's transition to a more opulent style to match her rising star status.

• Core Industry Trend: The fashion industry's continued embrace of transparent and revealing designs, moving from a niche aesthetic to a mainstream red carpet staple.

• Core Consumer Motivation: The motivation to participate in a cultural moment, express individuality, and emulate the confidence and boldness of their favorite icons.

Final Thought

Tate McRae's iconic VMA's dress is more than a fleeting fashion moment; it is a clear signal of her transition from rising star to established artist. By embracing the "naked dress" trend with a fresh and elegant twist, she has not only delivered a memorable look but has also strategically used fashion to communicate her growing artistic confidence and maturity. This choice reflects a broader cultural shift where Gen Z celebrities and consumers are using fashion to express authenticity and challenge conventions, proving that a look can be both controversial and a powerful statement.

Source: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/tate-mcraes-see-through-vmas-2025-dress-joins-the-naked-fashion-trend