Cara Delevingne just took the sheer-dress trend to the next level.
The model was one of the first to walk the red carpet at the 2026 Met Gala, wearing a dress we can only describe as a “butt-crack illusion” gown: a gorgeous sleeveless, high-necked black dress with a dramatic—and dramatically sheer!—back.
From the front of the dress, you'd assume she was completely covered up, as the front included a black velvet mock-neck atop the sheer panels on the arms and bodice, but no! When the model turned around, the dress became a masterpiece of intricate black beading in a feathery shape that began at the shoulder and snaked down her back, increasing in size as it developed. And that's where the real surprise could be found!
Underneath the black mesh fabric, Delevingne appeared not to be wearing any undergarments, as the sheer portion extended down her back to the side of her butt, with more of that feathery black beadwork covering the exposed skin so you couldn't see too much, but rather just enough (as we said, the illusion of butt crack). The dramatic gown ended with an equally sheer black train that pooled at her feet as she posed, looking incredible when she walked the famous Met steps.
Delevingne wore her dark hair pulled back tightly in a knot, and chose a rich, dark red nail color for even more romantic, goth-glam vibes.
Low-back dresses are nothing new, but they're always fun to see on the red carpet. In 2024, for the “Sleeping Beauties”-themed Gala, Kendall Jenner gave us a cheeky peek in her bum-hugging archival Givenchy gown.
The 2026 Met Gala is just getting started, so who knows? Maybe we'll see more variations on a sheer theme from Delevingne's fellow attendees.
