While it’s incredibly common to see naked dresses at the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party, it’s much more rare to see a lot of skin (or the illusion of skin) at the Academy Awards itself. However, a few bold women have dared to bare all at the illustrious event over the years, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Cher, Halle Berry, Nicole Kidman, and others.
Cher, of course, is the godmother of the sheer trend. She walked so everyone else on this list could run. She infamously wore a revealing Bob Mackie creation to the 1988 Oscars, where she took home the Best Actress statue for Moonstruck. Scandalous, sheer, and headline-making, Cher’s gown instantly made fashion history. In later years, brands like Gucci, Dior, Alexander McQueen, and Armani Privé have designed see-through dresses for winners, nominees, and presenters attending the Academy Awards. Ahead of this year’s ceremony, which is on Sunday, March 15, 2026, let’s take a walk down memory lane with the most memorable naked dresses that have ever walked the Oscars red carpet.
Cher in Bob Mackie, 1988
Nicole Kidman in Armani Privé, 2017
Jennifer Aniston in Atelier Versace, 2015
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