Don’t panic, your eyes aren’t deceiving you, it’s just that graphic prints have gotten a lot more, well, graphic. Brave souls wearing clothes printed with realistic nude forms have been spotted marching up and down the streets with pride, and if you’re feeling plucky enough, it’s time to get on board. Trompe l’oeil is the artistic technique responsible for dresses that’ll have onlookers running to Specsavers. Subversive, suggestive and undeniably cheeky, the graphic print has become a signature of the style set.
Trompe l’oeil is a French phrase that means to deceive the eye. It’s essentially an optical illusion, tricking the viewer. It gives the appearance of a super realistic three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface. One of the most famous examples in Art is Escaping Criticism by Pere Borrell Del Caso, an 1874 painting featuring a young boy literally bursting out of the painted frame. You can also see the technique successfully used in theatre sets and interior design.
Elsa Schiaparelli ushered trompe l’oeil onto the fashion stage with her surrealist designs, while famously naughty Jean Paul Gaultier adorned his creations with the prints of naked bodies. Iris van Herpen incorporated trompe-l'œil in her haute couture collection, most clearly evidenced by her spring/summer 2012 collection which created illusory 3D effects, marrying fashion with digital concepts to evoke movement, texture, and depth within her sculptural designs.
© Getty ImagesThere’s nothing more scandalous than parading around in your birthday suit, but if it’s just a print (however realistic), what exactly are the rules? Saucy trompe l’oeil drags the morality row around nudity into an unsettling grey area, while toying with the consumption of female nudity in popular society, and the commodity of our bodies. Also it’s a little shocking, and that’s always fun isn’t it?
Firstly, it’s worth noting that this is a divisive trend, and it’s not for everyone. If you prefer to keep things under wraps, go forth with our blessing. But if you want to raise some eyebrows, leave your jacket at home and strut with confidence to Sainsburys. Our only tip: don’t wear it to the family reunion.
How to style trompe l’oeil in 2025:
© Getty ImagesLongline Dress
Allow your trompe l’oeil look to take centre stage with a colourful graphic maxi courtesy of Jean Paul Gaultier.
© Getty ImagesGraphic Long Sleeve
A graphic long sleeve tee is the best way to subtly tap into the trend. Style the staple with some black jeans to help it pop.
© Getty ImagesCollared Shirt
Perfect for autumnal layering, a button-down shirt is a grand way to make a statement without over-doing it.
© Getty ImagesStatement Accessory
Inject your aesthetic with a touch of surrealism charm. A statement accessory is ideal for conjuring up an artistic aesthetic - and Schiaparelli will forever be our first choice.
© Getty ImagesTrousers
Hard to find but high-impact nonetheless, trompe l’oeil trousers, championed by brands like Loewe, never fail to turn heads wherever you walk.
© Getty ImagesEvening Jacket
Want to shake things up a bit at your next rendezvous? Reach for the printed jacket, perfect for layering over a monochrome ensemble.
© Getty ImagesTattoo Mesh
A JPG signature, tattoo mesh is a favourite among London's style set. Slip into your edgier alter ego in style.
© Getty ImagesBallgown
If you have the budget, then Iris Van Herpen should be your first port of call when it comes to surrealist dress codes. An innovative investment that marries tech and textiles.
Like this story? Sign up to our Hello! Fashion newsletter to get your weekly 'Fashion Fix' delivered straight to your inbox.
HELLO!'s selection is editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items our editors love and approve of. HELLO! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. To find out more visit our FAQ page.
