Byline: Robin Strangis

The sheer/clear trend that began several years ago is still coming on strong. And now sheer style - from clear colas to see-through packaging to shimmery lipsticks - has made itself at home with a new wave of transparent fabrics. These updated sheers are a far cry from the solid-color polyester sheers of generations past.

New manufacturing techniques have created sheers that contain pattern, multiple colors or even create special effects. Sheers can be woven from metallic threads or iridescent fibers that duplicate silks. And they can be embroidered, crinkled, beaded, or "burned out" to add ornament and texture.

Just as there are new sheers, ...