Australian Fashion Week 2025: Pip Edwards leads near-nude rush with underwear as outerwear trend

News.com.au

17-05-2025

Pip Edwards has led the charge at Australian Fashion Week where, in an ironic twist, actual clothing was out of style.
'Inside out, outside in … no rules,' the designer said while posing for photos and flaunting the season's must-have item: underwear.
The tracksuit mogul was finally free from the restraints of the Sporty Spice athleisure that had covered her body for so long. Strutting into the runway show for Australian suiting brand Farage, the 45-year-old — who last year stepped down from her namesake sportswear brand P.E. Nation — shrugged off the thick nylon fabrics of yore to reveal … not much.
At Fashion Week this year, less is more. What you see is what you get – whether you want to, or not. Exposed underwear – visible briefs, bras and G-bangers under sheer dresses – had slipped off the runways and onto the streets.
The emperor has no clothes, and neither do the influencers.
While the trend had started to creep in at last year's Fashion Week in Sydney, it seemed even more people were now comfortable with the idea of flashing their jocks.
Celebrity stylist Elliot Garnaut said the fad had 'surged dramatically' — led by Miu Miu and followed by Aussie designers like Beare Park and Mariam Seddiq, who incorporated sheer fabrics and lingerie-inspired elements into their collections shown this week.
' … The trend took a bolder turn (this year),' said Garnaut, whose A-list clients include radio host Carrie Bickmore and model Shanina Shaik.
'Think: underwear worn proudly over leggings, or no pants at all — just high-cut briefs and a whole lot of confidence. It's all about personality and styling with intent … because there's a fine line between fashion-forward and looking like you left the house before the dry cleaning was ready!'
Internet personality Sopha Dophaa, who has about 1.4 million followers on TikTok, said she was emulating the ultimate fashion icon: 'Captain Underpants.'
Her lewk? White briefs pulled over a pair of tights.
'It's weird. It's not a normal thing,' she said.
'I wouldn't do this on a normal day. (The trend) started last year but this year I'm trying to embrace it.'
Her friend had worn the exact same pair of jocks and tights earlier in the day. Then Sopha Dophaa (real name Sophia Begg) decided to yank them on.
A communal pair of jocks? Don't judge. It's called far-shun.
And Sopha Dophaa's not the only person rocking second-hand underwear.
'This bra isn't even mine, it's my daughter's,' image consultant Jenny Austin, 51, said about the exposed $30 Bonds underwear she nicked from her child's bedroom that morning.
Content creator Jazzlin Jarrett, 21, said she paid $2000 on fashion resale marketplace Depop for a used briefs-and-bralette combo from luxury designer Miu Miu.
'I think it's pretty affordable compared to brand new,' she said, before admitting she was 'nervous' to leave the house with the lingerie on-show.
For content creator Rachel Johnston, 24, wearing her underwear for all to see was about 'breaking down the boundaries and pushing the limits'.
She said she regularly wears the look 'pretty much anywhere'.
'I get positive reactions from girls … but it's a different reaction from the guys,' she said. 'It's a little more sexual … But I do it for the girls.'
Celebrity stylist Elliot Garnaut, said it's 'crucial to consider your setting' and issued a warning to perhaps avoid experimenting with the style at more demure affairs, like black tie weddings.
Cristal Dale, 22, decided underwear simply wasn't revealing enough. She ditched her bra completely and instead decided to wear a belt as a top.
'I just came up with it,' she said. 'I grabbed the belt off the jacket and off I went.'
At Carriageworks, the industrial venue where Fashion week is staged, a young man crashed the festival and seemingly mocked proceedings by strutting around in a pair of Budgy Smugglers.
One young woman, wearing a lace corset as a top, was not impressed.
'Attention seeker,' she muttered.