The Naked Dressing Trend Is Coming For Our Handbags Next

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The sheer trend has already come for our clothes, underwear and shoes in recent months, so it was only a matter of time before it came for the rest of our wardrobes, too. The latest piece to get the see-through treatment? None other than the humble handbag.

Springing up everywhere from the high-street to high-end designer labels, sheer mesh bags are fast becoming the must-have accessory of the season. 'They're an inevitable extension of our love for mesh shoes, and make a playful addition to a carefully curated capsule wardrobe,' says Libby Page, market director at Net-A-Porter, who points to a 143% increase in searches for 'mesh bags' on the site over the past three months as proof of the style's growing popularity. Lyst has also noted a surge in searches for the term of late with customers showing a particular interest in designs by Longchamp and Alaïa.

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Speaking of Alaïa, it seems we have the Parisian Maison to thank for this new naked trend, too. Following the success of its cult fishnet flats, the brand had the genius idea of designing matching shoulder bags – and they almost instantly made their way onto the arms of Dua Lipa, Sydney Sweeney, and half the street style crowd. Jennifer Lawrence, meanwhile, seems to favour Proenza Schouler's tulle take on the trend that's a little more low-key and delicate, but equally as revealing.

Indeed, it's the sheer mesh bag's fundamentally exposing nature that is its main appeal; it's no longer just the bag that's making a statement, but its contents too. 'I recently bought a silly little diamanté mesh bag that I absolutely love, partly because of the casual exhibitionism that packing it involves,' says Jessica Burrell, a lifestyle journalist and recent adopter of the trend. 'I usually keep the contents minimal with my phone, keys, a lip gloss, maybe a cute patterned lighter (even if I have no intention of using it). The mesh also discourages the random bag detritus that accumulates in my other bags – you don’t want old receipts or gum wrappers clogging up the aesthetic.' That said, if Brat Girl Summer is what you're going for, no accessory is capable of showing off your mess better than a mesh bag.

The curated contents of your mesh bag, visible to all, has the power to say more about your personal style and vibe than most any other accessory – and that's exactly the point. 'There’s something irresistibly voyeuristic about looking into other people’s mesh too,' says Burrell. 'It's like a chic version of checking out someone else’s shopping basket in the supermarket.' What could possibly be more tempting?

These are the best sheer mesh bags to shop now: