Judging by the enduring popularity of sheer pieces, cut-outs and visible underwear, it seems many of us are increasingly comfortable with having slivers of skin on show.

Tie-front tops, shirts and blouses are arguably the perfect entry point into this trend – you can adjust how revealing one is depending on fabric thickness, how the silhouette hangs, and what you wear as an underlayer.

Pair with jeans (the epitome of jeans and a nice top) or as a matching linen set to channel a European summer set – if this weather’s anything to go by, ours isn’t far off.

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Sleek and silky
Australian designer Christopher Esber is arguably the king of the cut-out, and is also known for a multi-wear garment. This season, that extends to the ruched Sequence silk top that laces up the front – and both the cocoa and butter colourways have detachable sleeves for good measure. For an elegant, longline take on the style, Victoria Beckham’s tie-front silk blouse is the ideal pairing with some floaty, wide-legged trousers. Its wide collar adds a touch of effortless, ’70s glam.

Cute as a cardi

Cardigan feeling a bit too prim? This diagonally tied Dillon knit from Ruby will add a bolt of brightness to your trans-seasonal wardrobe – and would look just as good over a tank top or T-shirt as on its own. Swedish label & Other Stories also makes the case for a printed tie-front cardigan – this time, in a sweet cream and floral cotton, or you could opt for light blue.

Cottoned on
Front a cotton blouse with tie fastenings to offset long sleeves – such as the La Chemise Lavior cotton-blend shirt by Jacquemus (one of the key contemporary designers to lean in to this style), or the Gala blouse by local label Mahsa. Bondi Born’s Papeno shirt has a similar silhouette with added bows at the end of the sleeves, and Aere’s organic cotton shirt incorporates ruching details on the sleeves, waist and bodice.

If you’d rather not risk flashing your belly button, Ganni’s blue peplum blouse adds ties as a neck detail, rather than all the way down. Simone Rocha’s pink bow blouse makes a statement of contrasting red ribbons on its open front, and Faithfull the Brand forgoes sleeves altogether with its resort-ready linen Elfie vest in bright palm green.

Sheer excitement
For those who dare to bare, Marle’s Lilou top is made from floaty pale silk with a long, tunic-like cut. For (slightly) more coverage, it’d be beautiful over a crop top or under a bodice – and the black version is still available on Bay of Plenty-based Marle stockist Sisters & Co. If you want to look glamorous lounging by a pool, or are attending a resort-themed party, the Amalfi blouse by Australian brand Savannah Morrow could be your ideal look. Just opaque enough with its crinkled silk finish, the flowing sleeves and open front would look just as good over a sleeveless long dress as they would with matching trousers or a miniskirt.