From Kim Kardashian’s sheer top to Cara Delevingne’s kinky thigh-high boots, we review the flesh-flashing trends that made 2016 the sexiest year in fashion
The sort of clothes you'd normally find in the back room of Ann Summers made it into the mainstream - and celebs loved it
THIS was the year when fashion won the Sex Factor – and celebs could not get enough of the flesh-flashing trends.
When the sort of skin-tight Latex dresses, lace-up trousers and kinky boots you’d find in the naughty bit of Ann Summers made it into the mainstream.
When boobs were busting out of plunging outfits and skimpy bandeau tops. When bras were worn as tops — or even discarded altogether under racy sheer numbers.
And when the stars exposed their knickers or went commando in dresses slashed to the thigh.
Here we look at the raunchiest trends of 2016 and the celebs who embraced them along with a sexiness and wearability rating – just in case you dare to wear any at tomorrow’s New Year’s Eve party.
Chokers
Chokers were everywhere this year, Taylor Swift even called them “the new flower crown” - which is as good as being declared basic.
We might all have one but the bits of ribbon being flogged for a fiver in New Look have far kinkier connotations.
A choker is a nod to the collar worn by the submissive partner in BDSM role play, and in the 1800’s prostitutes used to wear black ribbon around their necks to identify themselves. So not just a piece of string, then.
Sex factor - 6/10
Wearability - 10/10
Lace-up tops
A nineties trend that took a kinky turn this year is the lace up top, favoured by Kim Kardashian and Disney girl gone bad Selena Gomez, who wore the racy, lacy trend to Paris Fashion Week in March.
It could be laced up as tightly, or not, as required - leaving a lot of cleavages hanging by a thread.
Big news this summer, there are still some available online. Prettylittlething.com has a good selection from £15.
Sex Factor - 8/10
Wearability - 8/10
Lace-up trousers
Not content with barely contained cleavages, the racy, lace-up trend swiftly moved on to trousers.
Kim Kardashian wore a pair of lace up leather trews to Paris Fashion Week in October (pre-robbery ordeal), hers costing over £2,000 from aptly named US brand Unravel.
Miranda Kerr, sister acts Kylie and Kendall Jenner, Bella and Gigi Hadid were all tied up in knots over the trend too. We dread to think how long it takes to do up those trousers in the morning, but if you don’t have a Kim K sized budget, try Missguided.co.uk for a similar style for £25.
Sex Factor - 8/10
Wearability - 3/10
Sheer tops
Kim’s bra went missing this September but the reality star wasn’t shy about her bust going au naturel for three weeks as she said “I have always loved sheer - I just don’t give AF, LOL”
She had a new generation of women burning their bras. Albeit not in the name of feminism.
Unless you’re a hardened “free the nipple” activist, though sheer tops and dresses are big news for the new season. Get yours now at Topshop from £32.
Sex Factor - 9/10
Wearability - 1/10
Baring your bra
KENDALL JENNER was keen to flaunt her bra at fellow model Gigi Hadid’s birthday bash in April. Either that or she’d just forgotten to put on a top.
It brings a whole new meaning to underwear as outerwear.
Not for those blessed with bigger chests, or those who don’t want to be arrested, though it is a free trend to wear...just bust out your regular bra.
Sex Factor - 7/10
Wearability - 0/10
Thigh high boots
These boots were made for walking, and no longer just into dodgy sex clubs.
The thigh high boot went high fashion, with supermodel Cara choosing the style several times while promoting the film Suicide Squad.
They’re hardly the easiest shoes to pull off if you don’t have model sized limbs but Office has a big selection from £125. Wear with long sleeves and a high neckline for balance.
Sex Factor - 5/10
Wearability - 5/10
Hip-high slashes
Bella Hadid made waves at the Cannes Film Festival in May, when she wore a red satin dress slashed to the hip, by Alexandre Vauthier.
Very obviously going commando, the dress had a built in bodysuit to protect her modesty.
And it was a look only the hottest model in the world could pull off, as proved when two Italian models re-attempted the look at the Venice Film Festival on a slightly lower budget.
Avoid if you don’t want to be arrested - or spend a lot of money on waxing. Bella’s was one of a kind, but Boohoo.com have styles that are slashed almost as high.Customise with scissors for an even more daring look.
Sex Factor - 10/10
Wearability - 0/10
Bandeau tops
Jourdan Dunn’s cleavage made a dash for freedom out of her white Brandon Maxwell bandeau top at the Fashion Awards in December.
Suki’s younger sister Immy Waterhouse also wore the strappy trend teamed with wide legged trousers. We’re already predicting big things for the barely-there tops in 2017.
These work best with abs of steel, and who has those after Christmas? But if you dare to bare, Prettylittlething.com have bandeau tops from £6.
Sex Factor - 4/10
Wearability - 5/10
Flashing big pants
Brit babe and Victoria’s Secret model Lily Donaldson flashed her pants at the Fashion Awards in London.
We hadn’t seen that much VPL since Kim K started experimenting with trousers - expect sales of Spanx to rise come the New Year. Finally, another use for your big knickers. Get great high-waisted styles from Spanx from £33.
Sex Factor - 4/10
Wearability - 6/10
Latex dresses
Hardly a squeaky clean look. Anything Kim wears, Kylie is sure to copy.
Kim showed her love for latex in 2015, and Kylie proved the wipe-clean material is still sexy in 2016 by wearing the skin-tight trend twice. Not for the faint-hearted, you’d need a team armed with talc to get you in, and out, of this look. Head to Houseofharlot.com if you don’t fancy braving those “adult only” shops.
Sex Factor - 7/10
Wearability - 3/10