Wearing a nearly nude dress can cock a snook at current-day chauvinism

Now that the best and worst dressed lists have been posted we can officially announce that the Oscars are done and dusted. Maybe the films will be watched, maybe they won’t, but let’s face it, the real winner was What Was Worn. Red carpet dressing may have fallen out of favour with Hollywood stars - specially with female actors insisting on being more than the sum total of their outfit - but no one dare put a step wrong for the fear of being captured for posterity. Wait a minute; I think the fear is that it won’t be captured for posterity, given that the posterior has come forward to take centre stage. I need to amend that too – today, there is nothing as being too forward. Fashion’s newest trend can only be compared to "The Emperor’s New Clothes". Much like the short story by Hans Christian Andersen, the transparent dress – think Rihanna in a sheer, nude body stocking of sorts at the 2014 CFDA Fashion Awards – could be described as much ado about nothing. Essentially the aim of the outfit is to bare all, leaving nothing to the imagination. So, breasts are left hanging out. The derriere is hardly covered. And everything else is clearly on display. This season’s style preference makes Angelina Jolie’s thigh-high slit seem tame in comparison.

So, am I a huge fan of this look? No. I find it rather unattractive and bordering on the tacky. 

Frankly if I want to see you naked, I will let you know. I might even seduce you. But without my asking, I don't care to see your tits and ass. But. Despite my personal preference, I think this transparency is actually a welcome step in the direction of positive body image. While bodacious babes like singer/actor Rita Ora and Sports Illustrated model Irina Shayek can get away with sheer sheaths given their staggeringly perfect bodies, I think it’s amazing that women with real bodies like Lady Gaga and Amber Rose flaunt their curves. In a world where we are constantly being accused of "asking for it" – wardrobes are often held to fault for violence, rape and everything in between – this near nudity is a wonderful example of cocking a snook at current-day chauvinism.

I also like to see this as a positive step toward taking control of your public image. Given that stars run the very real risk of having their naked photos leaked online, why not beat hackers at their own game? Take away the pleasure of voyeurism by choosing to step out in a nearly nude dress. At a very visible public event. Once the world has seen all your bits and bobs, they are hardly going to hold any mystery.

Seditious thought? Hell, yes. But since they emerge from a desire to condone provocative dressing, I think we should run with if the shoe fits and all that. And yes, if you do want to step out naked, work with suggestion and not action. Go nude the way the Queen of Sensuality did. Marilyn Monroe poured herself into the slinkiest, most form fitting flesh-coloured dress when she sang "Happy Birthday Mr President" for JFK, in 1962. You thought she was naked even though she was covered. The power of suggestion is more potent than the most prominent nipples.