There’s something spesh about mesh. You have to admit it. Mesh clothing has a definite feel for the cringe. It reminds us that fashion doesn’t necessarily conceal. It demonstrates the essential difference between the terms opaque and transparent. And it often shows us much much more than we’ve ever wanted to see.
In its most frightening form, mesh is synonymous with ‘Hi, look straight through me. See the bare skin. See the bare skin everywhere.’ American Apparel’s male department has a perfect example of this: their Nylon Spandex Micro-Mesh T-shirt. Nice colour, not so nice transparency; but doesn’t it look breathable.
When not worn in intense doses, a splash of mesh here and there can be super nice. Mesh sleeves, in this Urban Outfitters sweater, are diluted with dots and a puff sleeve. There’s nothing criminal about showing a bit of arm.
Fred Perry even offers something meshy, so (brave) men can try it too by mixing fabric in a polo.
But mesh is always at its best in a dress. This Conspiracy Dress by Australian outfitter StyleStalker shows that when folded, twisted and ruched, mesh is eye-catching for all the right reasons. The very special fabric takes on different shades and depths of transparency all by itself, and that’s a quality not many materials can boast.
