Styling Sheer Trends: What Lindsay Lohan’s DKNY Trench Dress Teaches Us About Underlayers and Classic Pumps

Mastering the “sheer trend” requires more than just a bold eye for design; it requires a strategic approach to underlayers and movement.

A prime example of the challenges this style presents occurred on June 15, 2014, at the No1 Embankment Party in London, where Mean Girls actress Lindsay Lohan arrived in a provocative DKNY sheer trench dress. While the concept of a transparent coat-dress is a high-fashion staple that remains relevant decades later, the execution serves as a timeless lesson in garment preparation.

Lindsay Lohan in a sheer black trench dress with matching pumps, attempting to avoid a wardrobe malfunction at the No1 Embankment Party in London (Credit: WENN)

The look highlights a common fashion hurdle: ensuring a statement piece remains functional under the glare of camera flashes.

When working with sheer textiles, the choice of footwear and base layers determines whether the outfit is a triumph or a cautionary tale.

The Challenge of High-Sheen Fabrics

The primary difficulty with this DKNY piece was the lack of structural security. Because the fabric was lightweight and exceptionally sheer, it required either precise tailoring or intentional layering to maintain its silhouette.

Lindsay Lohan keeps it sleek and minimal in classic black pointed-toe pumps, grounding her sheer black trench look with sharp, timeless footwear that lets the outfit’s drama take center stage

To avoid a “fashion faux pas,” it is essential to assess every angle before leaving for an event. Using a hand to secure a hemline—as seen here throughout the evening—distracts from the overall aesthetic and creates an awkward silhouette.

Footwear Focus: The Perfect Pump

Despite the difficulties with the dress, the footwear choice was impeccable. Lindsay selected a pair of classic black pumps with a distinctive red stripe at the heel.

This subtle pop of color grounded the sheer black fabric and added a touch of modern edge that echoed the DKNY runway aesthetic.

Lindsay Lohan attempts to conceal her underwear with her hand while wearing a sheer black trench dress at the No1 Embankment Party in London on June 15, 2014 (Credit: WENN)

How to Wear a Sheer Trench Professionally

If you are looking to recreate this look with more confidence, consider these two styling alternatives:

The Slip Dress Foundation: Wearing a coordinating silk or jersey slip dress underneath provides full coverage while allowing the sheer trench to act as a sophisticated “veil.”

Tonal Underpinnings: For a more editorial look, high-waisted briefs and a streamlined bralette in the same color (as seen on the runway model) provide a deliberate, polished finish.

DKNY’s runway trench dress plays with sheer chiffon and sharp tailoring, blending classic trench details with a modern, semi-transparent silhouette that feels boldly editorial yet unmistakably chic

Parisian Elegance: Lindsay’s Golden Moment in Cannes

Earlier that same year, on May 18, 2014, Lindsay showcased a significantly more successful evening-glamour look while attending a boat party during the Cannes Film Festival in France.

This look remains a “gold standard” for incorporating metallic textures into a summer wardrobe.

Lindsay Lohan elevates her gold-sequined mini dress with glittering pointed-toe pumps, letting the metallic heels mirror the shimmer of her look for a polished, Cannes-ready finish

She opted for a gold-sequined dress featuring silver-striped accents and attractive slit sleeves. The relaxed yet luxurious silhouette was perfectly suited for the Mediterranean setting.

The Finishing Touch: Isabel Marant

The standout element of the look was undoubtedly the footwear. Lindsay chose gold-tone Isabel Marant Poppy pumps—one of the designer’s most iconic silhouettes and a defining symbol of early-2010s “Parisian cool.”

With their sharp-pointed toes, slender stiletto heels, and signature oversized bows, the Poppys strike a rare balance between feminine polish and modern edge.

Earlier that year, Lohan wore Isabel Marant’s Poppy heels with floral matching separates and a textured white jacket in New York City.

By echoing their warm metallic tone with a Saint Laurent gold duffel and coordinating jewelry, Lindsay created a cohesive, luminous finish that felt effortlessly chic rather than overdone—a reminder of why these cult-favorite heels helped cement Marant’s high-low aesthetic and remain coveted well beyond their runway moment.

This era of Lindsay’s style serves as a reminder that with the right tailoring and a great pair of heels, any look can be elevated to a red-carpet win. Another celebrity fan of the Poppy heels is Katie Holmes, who wore them at Z100’s Jingle Ball with an Isabel Marant embellished sweatshirt and a flirty black miniskirt.

Lindsay Lohan glows in Cannes, pairing her gold-and-silver sequined mini dress with metallic Isabel Marant Poppy pumps and a Saint Laurent gold duffel, creating a cohesive, high-shine look that feels effortlessly glamorous on the Riviera on May 18, 2014

Lindsay Lohan’s Style Evolution, One Pair of Heels at a Time

From experimental sheer layers to polished, Cannes-ready glamour, Lindsay Lohan’s fashion journey shows how the right footwear can make—or save—a look.

Whether she’s grounding a daring outfit with classic pumps or leaning fully into metallic heels for evening drama, her shoe choices consistently reveal the difference between a risky moment and a red-carpet win.

For more standout heels, styling lessons, and iconic appearances, explore some of Lindsay’s most memorable shoe and fashion moments below.