I’ve never been in love with sheer clothing.  It looks sexy on other people, but for me it feels like something I’d have to be 15 and going to the beach to pull off, or at the very least headed out clubbing.  (Nothing against clubbing, you’re just more likely to catch me bowling.)

I have a couple of tops that are juuuuust sheer enough to require a layer underneath to qualify as office appropriate, and I was excited last year to thrift a silk camisole that would serve that purpose grandly while breathing and holding up decently.

But honestly, it’s just annoying.

I liked that it was loose and not body-hugging, but it turns out that’s exactly what makes it a pain to wear.  Although it does fit me, it’s not structured enough – or maybe anchor-able enough? – to stay put.

It slides forward, backward, and sideways so much that if I want to wear it under this sheer polkadot blouse to prevent passersby from having unintended x-ray vision, I have to safety pin the straps to my bra straps.  D’oh.  (Plus I don’t really want to be swimming in layers when it’s hot out.)

A photo posted by LeahLW (@thriftshopchic) on Jan 7, 2016 at 5:41am PST

 

So the polkadot shirt is really only good for layering under a sleeveless dress, which in my book is a completely unacceptable level of versatility.

A photo posted by LeahLW (@thriftshopchic) on Jan 28, 2016 at 6:26am PST

Sorry, ya cute, but this one-note performance don’t cut it

 

Back to the camisole.  Underneath this Croft and Barrow open knit top, it doesn’t want to tuck into my pants and bunches up as soon as I stand up after any amount of sitting.  As for the knit top itself, I love the color and pattern and how soft it feels, but it’s really too warm for hot weather, and with no sleeves it’s impractical for cold weather.  Sad, because isn’t this a chic look?  But the fact I haven’t worn it yet at all this spring tells the tale.

A photo posted by LeahLW (@thriftshopchic) on Oct 28, 2015 at 8:05am PDT

You are the weakest link. Goodbye.

 

And also, buh-bye to the camisole that made these looks possible.   Wardrobe exponent no longer necessary.  (This excites me because I truly abhor the thought of a clothing item needing to be worn with some extra helping garment in order to leave the house.  Chalk it up to efficiency?  Or the snobbery of laziness?)

This post is making me reconsider, though – a layer for warmth if not a layer for opacity?  Maybe I need a slippery-er kind of silk to get the luscious warm cocoon she’s describing…  She also makes the point that she grew up with camisoles layered under all shirts, and I did not.  So maybe I’m just not used to the feeling of a body-hugging layer under everything.

 

What about you, dear readers?  Do you embrace the sheer (and/or camisoles) or shun it?  If you love it, tell us how you make it work!  If you shun it, why??  Scroll down to comment!