How to Wear Mesh (And Look Good in It!)

How to Wear Mesh for Every Occasion

It may surprise you, but the mesh top is actually quite a timeless wardrobe staple. While it’s a bit of an intimidating material given that it’s very sheer, mesh fabric is actually incredibly versatile and can be worn in a multitude of ways and for various occasions and seasons. 

Whether you wear a mesh top with a flouncy pink skirt for a nighttime look or as a layering piece over a white top and blue jeans to add some personality to a plain outfit, here are some easy tips and outfit ideas to help you style the mesh trend all year-round.

Is Mesh Still in Fashion?

While mesh made its biggest splash in the 1980s and 1990s, it has remained in the fashion industry for a very long time, and it looks like it will continue to stay in fashion for a while longer. 

While mesh tops and other mesh articles of clothing have the reputation of being very sexy given their see-through fabric, they can be styled in an assortment of ways and with all sorts of outfits, so it’s actually quite difficult to run out of ways to wear this second-skin material.

How Do You Wear a See-Through Mesh Top?

Under or over a dress

When it comes to dressing and layering between seasons, mesh is one of your best friends. You can wear mesh tops under or over dresses depending on how you want to style them, and a long-sleeve mesh top worn underneath a soft slip dress is effortlessly elegant with a bit of edge, making for a stunning evening look that will always get you compliments and that’ll help you stay warm when it’s starting to get chilly. 

For the day, layering a black mesh top over a tank or black bra top and wearing it with your favourite pair of mom jeans or mini skirt is an easy casual look with some added cool.

As a light layer

Mesh makes for a very useful layering piece in transitional weather, but it can also serve to elevate your everyday outfits when styled properly. We love the look of a sheer jacket styled over your typical white or black top and a pair of jeans. However, the key to making your outfit look a lot more interesting is by paying attention to details. 

Go for bootcut jeans or a maxi skirt for more eye-catching silhouettes and swap out trainers or flats for a pair of heels to make it more chic. You can add a little more texture to your look as well by pairing a sheer top or even a mesh dress with a velour tank, a vest top, or over a floral print tee.

For work

If you think a mesh top is only suitable for a nighttime or casual outfit because of how it hugs your body, think again. 

You can wear mesh tops in a professional environment and turn your typical office attire into something more stylish. Wearing a black mesh top paired with a tank and worn underneath a blazer with preppy stripes and with boot cut jeans is a simple way to make you look more chic while at the same time keeping it work appropriate.

For a more fun outfit, you can layer a bell sleeve mesh top underneath a vest top and paired with a pencil skirt and slick loafers or heels to add edge to your office style that’s truly unique.

With athleisure

Sportier mesh is a great addition to your workout wardrobe because it adds a touch of style and a sexy vibe to your typical leggings and white bra top combo while also keeping you a little warmer. 

Wear a black mesh top with a long sleeve over your usual exercise attire for a lightweight layer that’ll keep you warm and looking stylish on your run.

Printed mesh

Printed mesh tops are a fun trend that you should hop on. This colourful style of long sleeve sheer tops brings even more personality to your outfit, with an endless array of colour combos and patterns to choose from and wear. 

You can easily pair this kind of mesh top over a bra thanks to its slightly less sheer and busier material, and pair it with a plain skirt or dresses for a fun layered look.

Final Note

A mesh top may seem like an adventurous fabric to keep in your wardrobe essentials, but it’s a secret weapon to turn your most boring outfits into your best. There are even more mesh outfit ideas to play around with out there, so you’ll pretty much never run out of ways to wear this sexy second-skin staple.