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Sarah Paulson has sparked a fashion debate after appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in a see-through skirt that left viewers divided. The 51-year-old actress appeared on the late-night programme on Friday, 6 November 2026, wearing a sheer Erdem ensemble that paired a grey cardigan with a transparent, crystal-embellished skirt.
The striking contrast between conservative knitwear and revealing tulle attracted attention online. While some admired the actress’s willingness to experiment with unconventional designs, others questioned whether celebrity styling had gone too far. Her unconventional styling offered a different interpretation of traditional eveningwear.
Sarah Paulson’s Sheer Erdem Skirt Raises Eyebrows
Paulson’s outfit came from Erdem’s Spring/Summer 2027 collection, unveiled at London Fashion Week in September. Styled by Karla Welch, the ensemble featured a grey cardigan with an asymmetrical white collar and sparkling embellishments along its hem. The design combined traditional knitwear with delicate decorative elements.
Sarah Paulson in Erdem Spring/Summer 2027 (Look 7) on “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon”, styled by Karla Welch
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The ankle-length skirt, crafted from transparent tulle with crystal detailing, revealed nude micro-shorts underneath. Paulson completed the outfit with white socks, black heels, and dangling earrings, while her short blonde hair was styled with a side parting. The unexpected accessories added another unconventional element to the ensemble.
The combination of conservative knitwear and sheer fabric gave the outfit an unusual appearance. Rather than relying on a traditional evening gown, Paulson embraced a runway design that deliberately contrasted modest and revealing elements. She wore the ensemble while promoting the second season of her legal drama All’s Fair, but her fashion choice attracted attention beyond the television interview.
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Paulson’s appearance generated mixed reactions among fashion observers, particularly over the decision to pair an everyday cardigan with a transparent skirt. Some viewers compared the revealing design to the uncomfortable experience of unexpectedly finding themselves in public without trousers. Others admitted that although the combination initially appeared awkward, its unusual proportions were strangely appealing.
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The outfit also divided fashion commentators, with some criticising the pairing of embellished tulle and grey knitwear. Others argued that Paulson’s lighter colour palette made the contrasting pieces feel more cohesive. Her white socks and black heels added another unexpected element, reinforcing the outfit’s deliberately unconventional styling.
The debate highlighted a recurring question surrounding celebrity fashion: does experimental runway designs demonstrate personal creativity or create unnecessary distractions outside the catwalk? While some observers appreciated the risk-taking, others questioned whether such combinations prioritised spectacle over elegance.
Keira Knightley Previously Wore a Similar Erdem Design
Paulson was not the first celebrity to embrace the unusual Erdem combination. Keira Knightley wore a similar charcoal-grey ensemble from the Spring 2027 collection at the London press-night after-party for The Lives of Others on Thursday, 29 October. Knightley’s outfit featured cropped knitwear paired with a sheer, crystal-embellished tulle design.
Unlike Paulson’s lighter cardigan, Knightley’s darker colour palette created a more dramatic contrast. The two appearances demonstrated how different styling choices could influence perceptions of the same runway concept. While Knightley opted for a cropped silhouette, Paulson’s longer cardigan created a smoother transition between the knitwear and transparent fabric.
Erdem’s Spring 2027 collection explored contrasts between masculine and feminine dressing, combining traditional tailoring with delicate embellishments and sheer materials. For Paulson, the ensemble offered another opportunity to embrace fashion outside conventional red carpet expectations.
