Celebrity stylist Ty Hunter shares his thoughts on controversial fashion trends, from sheer dresses to wearing underwear as pants

• Ty Hunter is one of the top celebrity stylists in Hollywood, working with Beyoncé and Billy Porter.
• Insider spoke with him about his book, career, and why he almost grew to hate sheer fashion.

Ty Hunter is arguably one of the most influential celebrity stylists.

He rose to fame styling Destiny's Child and Beyoncé — a job he landed by connecting with Queen B's mom — and today works with red-carpet icon Billy Porter.

He's also the author of a new memoir, "Makeover From Within: Lessons in Hardship, Acceptance, and Self-Discovery."

After speaking with Hunter about his book and career, Insider quizzed him on some of the most popular and controversial fashion fads of today — including sheer clothes, underwear as pants, and ballet flats.

Ty Hunter knows that sheer fashion is trendy, but he thinks it's in need of innovation

The "naked" fashion trend is one that never seems to go away.

Some stars like Hayley Williams wear see-through garments occasionally to make bold fashion statements. Others like Kate Moss and Kendall Jenner, however, have turned sheer outfits into everyday staples.

Hunter is partially to thank for that. He often styled Destiny's Child in skin-baring outfits in the '90s, and he added sheer elements to many of Beyoncé's famous looks throughout her solo career.

While Hunter said he doesn't "have a problem" with see-through looks continuing to be popular today, he noted that he did almost tire of them.

"I feel like we did it so much. We did it, and we did it right," he said with a laugh. "I had a point where I was like, 'I don't wanna see nothing else sheer. I'm tired of seeing it.'"

"But now, I see people are tricking it out a little bit and making it more interesting," he continued. "So as long as you're creative and modernize it."

Hunter isn't alone in wanting to see new takes on the fashion favorite. Speaking with Insider in December, designer Christian Siriano said he's seen so many sheer looks that he's now interested in "celebrating the silhouette" with new takes on the trend.

"That doesn't always mean you have to be sheer, naked, or that sort of thing," Siriano said. "Sometimes a beautiful, covered-up look can be just as sexy."

Stars can't stop wearing underwear as pants. Hunter says if you're going to try the trend, now is the time.

During Paris Fashion Week in September 2022, Kylie Jenner embraced an interesting style trend: wearing underwear as outerwear.

The outfit was casual but impactful. Shortly after, Tessa Thompson, Kendall Jenner, and other stars began wearing underwear with tights in place of traditional bottoms.

Bella Hadid then took things a step further when she ditched tights and wore a white pair of underwear as shorts, and stars like Rita Ora opted for see-through dresses that showed their undergarments at the 2022 Fashion Awards.

Hunter's take on the controversial trend is simple. He said if you're comfortable wearing it, you should try the trend and "get it out of your system."

"Then at least you have those pictures and can show your kids and your grandkids, like, 'Grandma was hot,'" he said.

Hunter was once 'anti-flat' when it came to shoes, but today he sees things differently

One of the most highly-debated shoe trends of 2023 might be nostalgic for some: ballet flats.

The shoes were "an aughts staple," as fashion writer Tyler McCall recently told Refinery29, and were often worn both by celebrities and on fashion runways.

Though some argue that the footwear is uncomfortable and impractical, others love the shoes and are embracing the "ballet-core" resurgence.

If flats had made a comeback prior to 2020, Hunter likely wouldn't have been on board. He told Insider that he spent "many, many years" being "anti-flat," whether he was dressing his friends and family or stars like Beyoncé.

"I thought women should always have a heel on," he said.

But since 2020, Hunter's opinion has changed drastically.

"During COVID, everybody got used to wearing slides and house shoes — we just kind of readjusted, you know?" he added. "So now I'm like, if it's hot, why not?"