Sheer Statement at London Screening
Daisy Edgar-Jones attended a special screening and Q&A for her forthcoming film adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility at The Whiteley in London on Wednesday, wearing a fully sheer black midi dress from the Shushu/Tong Spring/Summer 2026 ready-to-wear collection. The look, styled by Dani Michelle, featured a gossamer fabric dotted with lacy floral motifs and frayed lace hems, layered over a matching set of bubblegum-pink brassiere and panties. She completed the ensemble with black pumps adorned with rosettes on the vamp. The event was also attended by director Georgia Oakley, co-star Esmé Creed-Miles, and moderator Edith Bowman.
This appearance follows a series of high-profile fashion moments on the Sense & Sensibility press tour. Just days earlier, on September 17, Edgar-Jones walked the red carpet at the Irish premiere at The Stella Cinema Rathmines in Dublin, wearing a white silk Stella McCartney gown with feathered detailing and Boucheron jewelry. At the world premiere in London on September 15, she opted for a Vivienne Westwood design paired with a Boucheron pendant. The film, which also stars Caitríona Balfe, George MacKay, Herbert Nordrum, Bodhi Rae Breathnach, Fiona Shaw, and Frank Dillane, opens in cinemas next week.
A Departure from Method Dressing
The sheer Shushu/Tong look marks a notable shift from the Regency-era aesthetic one might expect from a Jane Austen adaptation press tour. While some outlets noted that Edgar-Jones had embraced method dressing earlier in the tour, her latest choice signals a willingness to mix period-appropriate elegance with decidedly modern, Y2K-inspired edge. The contrast between the black lace and hot-pink undergarments has been widely described as playful rather than predictable, with fashion critics praising the pop of color for keeping the transparency trend fresh.
Edgar-Jones had previously trialled a similar sheer style while sitting front row at the Saint Laurent show this summer, suggesting a consistent personal affinity for the look rather than a one-off publicity stunt. The Shushu/Tong dress, Look 59 from the collection, was presented on the runway with the same pink underlayering, and the actor replicated that styling faithfully.
The Naked Dress Trend Endures
This appearance arrives more than a year after the Cannes Film Festival controversially banned naked dresses, a decision that sparked widespread debate about red-carpet fashion and body autonomy. Despite that pushback, sheer designs have remained ubiquitous, with stars like Phoebe Bridgers and Kaia Gerber recently embracing lingerie-inspired and flapper-style see-through gowns at major events. The trend has even extended to footwear, with naked shoes appearing on runways.
Within that context, Edgar-Jones's choice is less an outlier than a confirmation that the sheer movement has moved from provocative novelty to established red-carpet staple. What distinguishes her look is the deliberate use of color contrast: where many sheer ensembles rely on coordinating undergarments or go entirely without, the hot-pink set injects a note of irreverence that fashion writers have singled out as the element that makes the outfit work.
Press Tour as Fashion Platform
The Sense & Sensibility promotional circuit has become a showcase not just for the film but for Edgar-Jones's evolving red-carpet identity. Each stop has offered a distinct aesthetic: the romantic Vivienne Westwood at the world premiere, the ethereal Stella McCartney in Dublin, and now the edgy Shushu/Tong in London. This variety suggests a strategic approach to styling that keeps audiences and fashion commentators engaged across multiple events.
Caitríona Balfe, who co-stars in the adaptation, has also drawn attention for her understated monochrome ensembles, including a McQueen look at the Irish premiere. Together, the two actors have brought considerable star power to the tour, with their red-carpet moments generating headlines alongside the film itself.
What This Means for Red-Carpet Fashion
Edgar-Jones's willingness to subvert expectations for a period-drama press tour underscores a broader shift in how actors approach promotional fashion. Rather than aligning every look with the film's era or tone, stars increasingly use press tours as opportunities to express personal style and collaborate with edgy designers. The strategy can amplify media coverage and social engagement, as each appearance becomes a standalone fashion story.
For Shushu/Tong, the exposure represents a significant boost. The Shanghai-based label, known for its playful, feminine aesthetic with subversive touches, gains visibility from a major Hollywood talent wearing its designs at a high-profile event. Such placements can translate into commercial momentum and broader international recognition.
As the Sense & Sensibility release approaches, further red-carpet moments are likely. Whether Edgar-Jones continues to alternate between romantic and rebellious looks remains to be seen, but her London appearance has already cemented the press tour as one of the season's most closely watched fashion narratives.
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