Barely There: 11 Times Celebrities Went Commando and the Shoes That Balanced the Silhouette

The early 2010s marked a definitive shift in red carpet daring, as the “naked dress” evolved from a rare spectacle into a high-fashion fixture.

From the 2011 Cannes Film Festival to the 2014 Grammys, designers pushed the technical limits of sheer paneling and strategically placed embellishments. These “commando” looks—so named because they often preclude the use of traditional undergarments—rely as much on the gown’s engineering as on the wearer’s confidence and the choice of footwear to balance the silhouette.

While Gwyneth Paltrow’s sheer-paneled Antonio Berardi and Jaimie Alexander’s Azzaro gown became among the most discussed fashion moments of the era, the trend remains polarizing.

Whether styled with minimalist stiletto sandals or hidden platforms, these outfits prioritize a seamless, uninterrupted line. Below, we look back at the most notable instances of celebrities who embraced the sheer trend, proving that sometimes the boldest accessory is the one you can’t see.

1. Minimalist Heels & Sheer Drama: Abbey Clancy in Julien Macdonald

Abbey Clancy turns heads at the Fashion for the Brave event in London on November 8, 2013, wearing a daring sheer Julien Macdonald gown styled with barely-there nude sandals that elongate the silhouette and keep the focus on the intricate beading (Credit: WENN)

2. Balancing Cutouts & Heels: Jaimie Alexander in Azzaro

Jaimie Alexander commands attention at the Thor: The Dark World premiere in Los Angeles on November 5, 2013, wearing a daring sheer-panel Azzaro gown paired with metallic pointed-toe pumps that add a subtle shimmer while anchoring the look’s dramatic cutouts (Credit: WENN)

3. Clean Lines & Hidden Heels: Gwyneth Paltrow in Antonio Berardi

Gwyneth Paltrow stuns at the Iron Man 3 premiere in Los Angeles on April 24, 2013, wearing an Antonio Berardi Fall 2013 sheer-panel gown styled with Christian Louboutin “Dufoura” pumps that subtly elongate the silhouette while keeping the focus on the gown’s daring side cutouts (Credit: WENN)

4. Extreme Styling: Micaela Schäfer’s Tape Dress & Footwear Challenges

Micaela Schäfer wore a provocative tape dress styled with black peep-toe platform pumps that add height and structure to the avant-garde look (Credit: WENN)

Micaela Schäfer shocks in a draped tape dress at the Men in Black 3 premiere in Berlin, Germany, May 14, 2012 (Credit: WENN)

5. Lace & Minimal Sandals: Melody Thornton’s Sheer Look

Melody Thornton stuns in a revealing lace dress, complemented by glamorous makeup and voluminous hair with a striking blonde highlight (Credit: WENN)

Melody Thornton makes a bold yet elegant statement at the ELLE Women in Music event in Hollywood on November 4, 2012, wearing a sheer lace gown styled with shoes that complement the warm tones and add subtle lift to the flowing silhouette (Credit: WENN)

6. Sheer Meets Street: Adrienne Bailon’s Boots & Layered Look

Adrienne Bailon turns heads in a sheer ruffle-front dress paired with a leather jacket and lace-up ankle boots at the Caesars Entertainment Kicks-Off Escape to Total Rewards event at Gotham Hall in New York City on March 1, 2012 (Credit: WENN)

Adrienne Bailon dazzles in a sheer ruffle-front dress at the Caesars Entertainment Kicks-Off Escape to Total Rewards event at Gotham Hall in New York City on March 1, 2012 (Credit: WENN)

7. Platform Power: Jennifer Lopez in Louboutins & Kaufman Franco

Jennifer Lopez dazzles in a sheer-paneled backless column dress by Kaufman Franco at the Parker premiere in Las Vegas on January 24, 2013 (Credit: WENN)

Jennifer Lopez dazzled in a Kaufman Franco Spring 2013 sheer-paneled backless column dress and Christian Louboutin Lady Peep patent leather platform pumps in nude at the Parker premiere in Las Vegas on January 24, 2013 (Credit: WENN)

8. Red Carpet Minimalism: Candice Boucher in Gavin Rajah

Candice Boucher stuns at the Hearat Shulayim premiere during the Cannes Film Festival in France on May 14, 2011, wearing a sheer black Gavin Rajah gown styled with delicate strappy sandals that keep the look light and uninterrupted from head to toe (Credit: WENN)

Candice Boucher stuns in a see-through black dress by Gavin Rajah at the premiere of Hearat Shulayim on day 4 of the 2011 Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 14, 2011 (Credit: WENN)

9. Asymmetry & Evening Heels: Joanna Krupa in Michael Costello

Joanna Krupa shines in a sheer sleeveless asymmetrical Michael Costello dress at OK! Magazine’s pre-Grammy event (Credit: WENN)

Joanna Krupa dazzles in a sheer sleeveless asymmetrical Michael Costello dress at OK! Magazine’s pre-Grammy event, featuring a performance by Jason Derulo and a special guest appearance by Jordin Sparks, at Lure Nightclub in Los Angeles on January 24, 2014 (Credit: WENN)

10. Party Glam: Paris Hilton’s Sequined Sheer Gown & Heels

Paris Hilton stuns in a black sequined sheer gown at P Diddy’s pre-Grammy party at Boulevard 3 in Hollywood on January 23, 2014 (Credit: WENN)

Paris Hilton dazzles in a black full-length gown at P Diddy’s pre-Grammy party at Boulevard 3 in Hollywood on January 23, 2014 (Credit: WENN)

11. Elevated Stiletto Strategy: Beyoncé in Zuhair Murad

While the trend often leans toward shock value, Beyoncé’s appearance at the 2014 VMAs provided a masterclass in elevating the ‘naked dress’ through strategic proportions.

Beyoncé shines in a red embellished Zuhair Murad gown in the press room of the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards held at The Forum in Los Angeles on August 25, 2014, posing with her multiple Moonman awards (Credit: WENN)

By opting for a floor-length Zuhair Murad gown with long sleeves and an intricate crimson knit, she balanced transparency with coverage, allowing her towering stilettos to provide the necessary verticality for such a high-impact silhouette.

Beyoncé shines in an embellished Zuhair Murad gown in the press room of the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards held at The Forum in Los Angeles on August 25, 2014 (Credit: WENN)

More Commando Outfit Moments That Prove the Right Shoes Make the Look

If these daring sheer dresses, cutout gowns, and strategically styled red carpet moments left you wanting more, keep reading for some of Your Next Shoes’ best commando outfit stories—each one showing how the right heels, sandals, or pumps help balance even the boldest barely-there fashion choices.