Spring Trend to Watch: Sheer Madness

To bare or not to bare? See our tips for getting it right.

Hot Momma - Beyoncé made another appearance on night two of hubby Jay-Z's benefit concert for United Way and his Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation at the legendary Carnegie Hall in New York City. (Photo: beyonceonline.com)

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Sheer Madness - One of spring 2012's biggest trends is something we can really see you in: Sheer! When executed correctly the look can be a cool way to make a sultry statement (Exhibit A: Beyoncé’s cocktail dress), but one wrong step can be a haute mess. See our do's and don'ts. (Photo: Courtesy beyonceonline.com)

Sheer Mess: Going Completely Bare  - It’s safe to say that if you’re wearing sheer you’re going for sex appeal, but let’s not force mothers to cover their children’s eyes when you walk by. Rihanna’s boob-bearing shirt showed so much we had to avoid a close up.    (Photo: Alo Ceballos/FilmMagic)

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Sheer Mess: Going Completely Bare - It’s safe to say that if you’re wearing sheer you’re going for sex appeal, but let’s not force mothers to cover their children’s eyes when you walk by. Rihanna’s boob-bearing shirt showed so much we had to avoid a close up.  (Photo: Alo Ceballos/FilmMagic)

Sheer Genius: Skin-Toned or Color-Coordinating Underthings   - Instead of exposing body parts, wear pasties, a bra or camisole in your same skin tone to give the outfit a vamped up illusion without fully going bare. For semi-sheer clothing, try matching your undergarments to the sheer piece, like Brandy did with this Burberry look.  (Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images)

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Sheer Genius: Skin-Toned or Color-Coordinating Underthings  - Instead of exposing body parts, wear pasties, a bra or camisole in your same skin tone to give the outfit a vamped up illusion without fully going bare. For semi-sheer clothing, try matching your undergarments to the sheer piece, like Brandy did with this Burberry look. (Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images)

Sheer Mess: Not Wearing the Proper Undergarments - Celeb Buzz wasn’t kidding when they described this dress Adrienne Bailon wore as a "sneak peek of [her] upcoming fashion line collaboration with Dominique Auxilly.” We’re not sure if the dress was actually finished but it did show way much more than Bailon said she intended after the pink frontal ruffle was blown up into the air. Maybe if she was wearing boy shorts instead of a G-string it wouldn’t be as bad that the completely sheer paneling underneath the pastel loin cloth was exposed.  (Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Caesars Entertainment)

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Sheer Mess: Not Wearing the Proper Undergarments - Celeb Buzz wasn’t kidding when they described this dress Adrienne Bailon wore as a "sneak peek of [her] upcoming fashion line collaboration with Dominique Auxilly.” We’re not sure if the dress was actually finished but it did show way much more than Bailon said she intended after the pink frontal ruffle was blown up into the air. Maybe if she was wearing boy shorts instead of a G-string it wouldn’t be as bad that the completely sheer paneling underneath the pastel loin cloth was exposed. (Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Caesars Entertainment)

Sheer Genius: A Touch of Sass - The Queen B has been known to let it all hang out, but even she showed restraint in this sequined jumpsuit she rocked to BET’s Rip the Runway 2012. Lil Kim’s one piece was haute with two subtle sheer strips down either side.(Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

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Sheer Genius: A Touch of Sass - The Queen B has been known to let it all hang out, but even she showed restraint in this sequined jumpsuit she rocked to BET’s Rip the Runway 2012. Lil Kim’s one piece was haute with two subtle sheer strips down either side.(Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

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Ashanti at Falguni & Shane Peacock - Ashanti let it all hang out in a Falguni & Shane Peacock design that barely censored her lady parts and completed the risqué gown with Christian Louboutin “Sex” pumps.   (Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

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Sheer Mess: Being So Obvious - Part of the appeal of sheer clothing is to give the illusion that you’re letting it hang out, without actually doing it. Ashanti’s Falguni & Shane dress tipped the scale from risqué to raunchy and screamed “look at me” (especially with the edition of Christian Louboutin “Sex” pumps”). (Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week)

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Sheer Genius: Coverage Plan - Kelly Rowland took on her X-Factor judging duties in a long Aztec-style bodysuit teamed with a sheer skirt by Falguni & Shane. The shorts were long enough to keep her from having an exposure slip, yet short enough to show off her killer legs while the sheer skirt added a touch of modernized glam. (Photo: Ken McKay/TalbackThames/Rex USA)

Sheer Mess: Pieces that Appear to Be Headed to Bed or the Pool… - …unless that’s where you’re actually going. Shanell’s sheer jumpsuit might work for bed time or be cute over a bikini, but paired with heels does not make for a sophisticated club outfit. We’re guessing the Young Money wore that humongous cross to get a little mercy for wearing this on the red carpet.(Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images)

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Sheer Mess: Pieces that Appear to Be Headed to Bed or the Pool… - …unless that’s where you’re actually going. Shanell’s sheer jumpsuit might work for bed time or be cute over a bikini, but paired with heels does not make for a sophisticated club outfit. We’re guessing the Young Money wore that humongous cross to get a little mercy for wearing this on the red carpet.(Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images)

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Sheer Genius: Mixed With Print - One fresh way to wear sheer is in a printed shirt or dress, like Zoe Saldana’s springy frock. Sheer prints offer some coverage while still giving the peek-a-boo effect.(Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Getting Noticed - It's hard for model Jessica White not to turn heads with her six-foot frame and stunning face. But in this all-white lace sheer jumpsuit, worn to the Jay-Z Concert to Benefit the United Way of New York City and the Shawn Carter Foundation at Carnegie Hall in New York City, Jessica channels Tupac — it's all eyes on her. (Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

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Sheer Mess: Getting Too Busy With It - Jessica White has the body to pull off almost anything, but this lacy jumpsuit just didn’t do it for her; there were just way too many things going on. The old-school turtleneck and Mother Goose ruffles, the busy lace print, the belt.... One sheer element in an outfit will make your look stand out, no need to pile on every trick in the book along with it. (Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

Angela's List - Angela Simmons has been making a splash so far at New York Fashion Week, bringing her flyness to the front row with standout looks. See some of what the starlet uses to get beautified.(Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for FIJI Water)

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Sheer Genius: A Blazer as a Cover Up - We get it, there might be something liberating about rocking a sheer item with nothing underneath. Or maybe you just don’t have a bra that looks good with that semi-sheer top or dress. Angela Simmons layers a blazer over her sheer top. It's a great way to polish up the material or add coverage if you want to try the trend but aren’t quite ready to bear all the skin.