These painters used large areas, or fields, of flat colour and thin, diaphanous paint to achieve quiet, subtle, almost meditative effects.

Alison A. Nieder, executive editor of California Apparel News, commented that Michelle Liu "went romantic for her collection, which paired reflective silks with diaphanous chiffons in an Easter-egg pastel palette" for her very first FCI fashion show collection.

While his style was described as "rugged" and "chunky", and evoked antique ideals as patriotic works, his female figures were characterized as buxom, wearing diaphanous clothing.

In August that year the Chief of Police of Los Angeles stated his intention to recommend a law banning women from wearing the "diaphanous" x‑ray dress on the streets.