While the Cannes Film Festival has always enforced sartorial standards, this year’s rules are clearer than ever. This change, announced on the festival’s official website, marks a sharp departure from recent years, when sheer and revealing outfits became highlights of the cinematic celebration.
“For decency reasons, nudity is prohibited on the Red Carpet, as well as in any other area of the Festival,” the new guidelines published in April state. The updated rules also restrict “voluminous outfits, particularly those with large trains that hinder the flow of guests and complicate theater seating.”
The Cannes 2025 regulations are a direct response to last year’s fashion statements, when celebrities embraced transparency on the famous steps. Fashion insiders recall Bella Hadid‘s memorable appearance in a sheer Saint Laurent dress at the premiere of “The Apprentice,” and supermodel Naomi Campbell‘s stunning look at the “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” screening in a Chanel dress with strategic mesh cutouts and pearl accents.
Since its inception in 1946, the Cannes Film Festival has required black-tie attire. Though fashion has evolved over the years, some unspoken rules remain in place.
For evening galas at the Grand Théâtre Lumière, formal attire is mandatory: long dresses, tuxedos, cocktail options or dark pantsuits paired with elegant footwear. The festival continues its longstanding ban on sneakers, tote bags, backpacks and large purses during prestigious screenings. However, elegant flats are now acceptable – a small but notable shift from past years, when women were reportedly turned away for not wearing heels. This sparked accusations of sexism. In 2018, actress Kristen Stewart famously took off her heels on the red carpet to protest these rules. In 2023, Jennifer Lawrence swapped her stilettos for flip-flops on the carpet.
Stylists and designers will need to adapt. Sheer gowns and daring cutouts must now give way to more conservative elegance. Whether the stars and fashion brands will comply or find subtle ways to push boundaries remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the Cannes 2025 red carpet will be watched more closely than ever.
