How to Wear a Mesh Bodysuit

Co-authored by Kara Allan and Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: March 6, 2022 References

Depending on how you wear them, mesh body suits can be bold and daring or delicate and subtle. The possibilities are just about limitless—it’s all about how you choose to dress it up and how much you want to reveal or conceal. Since most mesh bodysuits are see-through, you’ll need to choose something flattering to wear underneath. Use your bodysuit as a top and set it off with a complementary bottom and some stylish accessories. Alternatively, wear your bodysuit as lingerie underneath a revealing top or dress to add interest to your look.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing What to Wear Underneath

1
Wear a bra that matches your bodysuit for a sleek look. A bra that matches the color and style of your bodysuit creates a simple but sophisticated vibe. For example, try wearing a plain black bandeau bra under a simple black mesh bodysuit.
2
Experiment with contrasting colors to add excitement. While a matching look can be elegant, your bra absolutely does not have to be the same color as your bodysuit. Try complementing your mesh top with a brighter or darker bra in a different color.^{[1]
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- For example, you might wear a black bra under a nude bodysuit, or a lime green bra under a black bodysuit.
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3
Dress up a simple bodysuit with a fancy bra. A mesh bodysuit offers a perfect opportunity to show off a pretty bra. Wear your favorite bra with a plain bodysuit that won’t draw attention away from the bra or create a busy look.^{[2]
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- For example, wear a lacy bralette or a bra with intricate straps under a plain bodysuit.
4
Use a simple bra under an elaborate bodysuit. If your bodysuit is lacy, embroidered, or strappy, an elaborate bra underneath can create a distracting or busy appearance. Opt for a simple bra that matches the color of your bodysuit.^{[3]
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- For example, if you’re wearing a white mesh bodysuit embroidered with colorful flowers, wear a plain white or nude t-shirt bra underneath.
5
Get a bold look with nipple pasties. If you’re feeling really daring, go bra-free and wear some interesting pasties. Show off with glittery, colorful, or shaped pasties (e.g., stars or hearts), or keep the look subtle with simple pasties that match the color of your top.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Wearing Your Bodysuit as Outerwear

1
Make sure your bottom works well with a tucked-in top. Since bodysuits fit like bathing suits, look for a bottom that flatters your figure. High-waisted pants and skirts are usually a safe bet.^{[5]
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Research source} There are no rules, however—if you want to show off your abs with a mesh bodysuit and some low-riding jeans, go for it!
- Some bodysuits are cut very high at the hips, which means lower-cut bottoms may show off some skin between the top of your pants and the bottoms of the leg holes on your bodysuit. This effect can be ultra sexy, but opt for a higher-waisted bottom if you want to avoid it.
2
Pair your bodysuit with a contrasting bottom. A bodysuit can make a fun and fashionable top if you pair it with a complementary bottom. Keep it interesting by pairing a dark, lacy mesh bodysuit with light-colored denim jeans, or wear a nude top with a dark leather skirt.^{[6]
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3
Wear a matching bottom for a sleek, put-together look. Pair your bodysuit with a bottom of the same color for a minimalist, monochromatic vibe. For example, wear a black bodysuit with black pants and boots, or create a sweet but sophisticated look with a pale pink bodysuit and matching skirt.^{[7]
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4
Keep it casual with jeans. Jeans are both comfortable and versatile. They look good with just about any top, including mesh bodysuits. Match your bodysuit with a pair of flattering jeans for an easygoing, everyday look.^{[8]
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5
Go edgy with a leather bottom. A bodysuit paired with leather pants or a leather skirt can be striking and sexy. This is a great look for a night out. Match a black bodysuit with black leather for a super edgy look, or experiment with mixing and matching different colors.^{[9]
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6
Create a feminine look by wearing a skirt. Bodysuits look great with skirts.^{[10]
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Research source} Get a retro silhouette by wearing a bodysuit with a swing skirt and petticoat, or go more sleek and modern with a pencil skirt. A bodysuit with a maxi skirt gives off a dreamy, summery vibe.
7
Dress it up with a stylish jacket. Layering jackets on top of mesh bodysuits can add flair and a little bit of mystery to your outfit. This is also a good option if you feel too exposed in just a bodysuit and skirt or pants.^{[11]
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- Try pairing a lacy, delicate bodysuit with a bold denim or leather jacket.^{[12]
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  Expert Source
  
  Kara Allan
  Celebrity Stylist, Makeup Artist & Personal Brand Consultant
  Expert Interview. 25 February 2022.}
- Create an extra sleek look by wearing your bodysuit under a blazer in a contrasting color.
8
Enhance your look with some fun accessories. A few well-chosen accessories can really pull your outfit together. Try pairing a simple bodysuit with a flashy belt, or spice up your look with a choker that matches your bodysuit.^{[13]
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- You can wear fancy, chandelier kind of earrings.^{[14]
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  Expert Source
  
  Kara Allan
  Celebrity Stylist, Makeup Artist & Personal Brand Consultant
  Expert Interview. 25 February 2022.}
- If you wear a colored shoe then wear a gold or silver earring,^{[15]
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  Expert Source
  
  Kara Allan
  Celebrity Stylist, Makeup Artist & Personal Brand Consultant
  Expert Interview. 25 February 2022.}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Wearing a Bodysuit underneath Clothing

1
Wear a lacy bodysuit with a low-cut top. Much like bralettes and camisoles, mesh bodysuits can spice up low-cut tops and plunging necklines. For example, try a sheer, lacy bodysuit under a simple low-cut dress to add a dainty and delicate touch to your neckline.^{[16]
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2
Use a bodysuit to complement a crop top. A mesh bodysuit under a crop top creates an interesting effect and minimizes the revealing look of the crop top.^{[17]
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Research source} Experiment with using contrasting colors, or match the crop top with the bodysuit for a more subtle, monochromatic look.
3
Add style to tops with low-cut armholes with a mesh bodysuit. It can be tricky to find undergarments that work well with low-cut armholes. A pretty mesh bodysuit is a great option.^{[18]
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Research source} If you’re wearing a plain or dark top, choose a brightly-colored bodysuit to create an attractive contrast.
4
Match the style and color of your top and bodysuit for a subtle look. If you know your bodysuit will show under your top, but you don’t want to draw a lot of attention to it, pick a bodysuit that blends with your top. For example, pair a sleek, low-cut dress with a simple bodysuit in the same shade.
- Alternatively, wear a bodysuit that matches your skin tone.
5
Wear contrasting colors or textures for a bold look. Add interest and flair to your look by pairing your top with a bodysuit that stands out. For example, you might match a plain jersey crop top with a lacy bodysuit, or let a bit of a brightly-colored bodysuit peek out from under a dark, low-cut top.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you style a mesh bodysuit?

Kara Allan
Celebrity Stylist, Makeup Artist & Personal Brand Consultant
Kara Allan is a Celebrity Stylist, Makeup Artist, Personal Brand Consultant, and Owner of Style by Kara Allan. With over 19 years of experience, her expertise includes wardrobe styling and edits, personal shopping, personal branding, makeup application, and corporate image consulting. Kara has worked with many celebrity clients including Leonardo di Caprio and Jesse Itzler. She has also been featured in numerous media outlets such as DC Magazine, Washington Post Express, and the Huffington Post. Kara received her training with Stacy London, Former Fashion Editor at Vogue Magazine and Star of TLC's What Not to Wear, and Carla Mathis, Certified Image Master, Association of Image Consultants International.

Kara Allan

Celebrity Stylist, Makeup Artist & Personal Brand Consultant

Expert Answer

You should focus on something that will complement the color of your bodysuit. For instance, if you're going to wear a black bodysuit, pair it with a metallic or bright color to give the outfit more of a pop.