The “Trompe L'oeil” Trend of Naked Bodies, Thermal Heat, and X-Ray Visuals

May 25

Everywhere we have been seeing brands incorporating a certain look that has become so popular these past few months leading into the summer. The thermal heat pattern, illusion to naked bodies, and x-ray visuals are on a lot of clothing pieces and have been seen on everything from casual pants to red carpet looks.

COURTESY OF THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART

Stored at the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute is the dress that started it all in Jean Paul Gaultier’s 1999 Spring/Summer collection. The figure alludes to Anadyomene, a type of Aphrodite, showing a naked torso beneath draped and folded cloth. The superimposed naked body sets the stage for future fashions and is playful and sexually charged.

Following his earlier 1999 Hellenic statue dress, Jean Paul Gaultier amps up his past visions in collaboration with Y/Project. Y/Project’s latest Fall 2022 collection shows many looks with the X-ray trend. Some include dresses, tank tops, and even men’s suits.

COURTESY OF JADED LDN

Jaded LDN has been keeping up with all of the trends. The thermal heat look is shown on a pair of jeans and a tank top. The vibrant colors that you would see on a thermal heat map are mimicked on clothing and also have an x-ray effect.

COURTESY OF FRAZER HARRISON/GETTY IMAGES

Kylie Jenner wore a Balmain x-ray dress that shows off the female figure with a naked trompe l'oeil to Billboards 2022.

COURTESY OF EDIKTED

The brand, Edikted, has a mesh set with an X-ray print of the female anatomy. We can say that its pop art feature looks identical to Jean Paul Gaultier’s jumpsuits in his 1995 ready-to-wear collection.