Banned from Cannes but classic for cocktails: Elegant sheer gowns worn by B-town ladies

Just hours before the 78th Cannes Film Festival rolled out its iconic red carpet, organisers dropped a sartorial bombshell: a revised dress code that left even Hollywood royalty scrambling. With a newfound emphasis on ‘decency,’ the festival has officially banned sheer, see-through, and body-hugging sheath gowns from its prestigious red carpet, prompting stars like Halle Berry to switch outfits at the eleventh hour. While Cannes may have tightened its reins, the allure of sheer elegance still lives on - just not in the French Riviera spotlight. So, if you're looking to channel red carpet glamour at your next cocktail soirée, here are five stunning sheer gown moments from Bollywood’s most stylish women to inspire your after-dark wardrobe.

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In 2021, Janhvi Kapoor made our hearts skip a beat with her photoshoot in a sheer embellished feather dress, bringing the best of both aesthetics. She picked this iconic dress from designer Ziad Nakad’s couture collection and flaunted her perfect curves in this mini sheer bodycon ensemble. Adorned with tonnes of sequinned and stone embellishments, the feathers at the hemline coming down from her shoulders and back made the fit an ideal pick for bachelor and cocktail affairs.
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Glittering like a star from the galaxy, Ananya Panday made a full case of glam fashion in 2022 for Karan Johar’s birthday bash. Outshining everyone at the event, she made her way in a white-silver sheer silhouette with a body-hugging touch that soared high in the trendy charts. She was seen acing the floor-length gown, which featured a halter neckline detailing with heavy embellished patterns, and finally teamed it with a sleek silver bracelet and diamond studs. Keeping her dewy makeup on with a sleek bun, she walked like a dazzling diva and captured the media’s attention.

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Bollywood’s queen Deepika Padukone attended the 71st Cannes Film Festival in a classy white sheer bodycon gown by Zuhair Murad, which was no less than elegance personified. It featured a deep neckline with a dramatic cape and had nature-inspired detailing all over the main and back bodice. Looking like an ultimate Greek goddess, she proudly twirled her tresses in big waves, kept her hair and accessories minimal, and looked perfect with the fully beaded white shimmering stones.

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Proving glam can be too easy for her, global star Priyanka Chopra walked the fashion carpet at the launch of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Culture Centre in 2023 in a starry sheer gown. Making heads turn and eyes struck on her, she dazzled in a sheer sequined gown with a waterfall effect that extended into a net silhouette to the floor. Adding a silver, heavily embellished, plunging bodycon monokini tucked inside, she also had a full appliqué cape cascading down her shoulders, exuding a hint of vintage glam.

(Image Credits: Pinterest)