Cannes Film Festival has a new dress code for the red carpet

Almost 24 hours before its start, the Cannes Film Festival announced a radical change to the dress code for the 2025 red carpet edition, officially banning transparent "naked" dresses as well as overly voluminous dresses or those with long trains. The decision, which the organizers justify with reasons related to "decency" and "efficiency", was formalized in the official charter for festival attendees. While this measure is presented as a way to improve the flow of guests and maintain decorum during the gala screenings, many have already begun to complain, and Louis Pisano, on his X account, wondered whether the rules would also be applied to the stars of the films in competition. The new guidelines require that guests attending the gala screenings, typically hosted at the Grand Théâtre Lumière at 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM, wear evening wear: tuxedos with bow ties or long ceremonial dresses. Alternatives are also allowed, such as little black dresses, cocktail dresses, dark pantsuits, or elegant tops paired with black pants. In addition, footwear must adhere to the formal tone: elegant shoes or sandals, with or without heels, are permitted, but sneakers are explicitly banned. Furthermore, backpacks, shopper bags, or large bags will no longer be allowed during these evenings.

The charter further states that, "for decency reasons, nudity is prohibited on the red carpet and in any other area of the Festival." This is a clear stance against transparent or overly revealing garments, which have become increasingly frequent among celebrities in recent years, particularly Bella Hadid, who wore a Saint Laurent dress on the red carpet last year, while another archival Versace gown she wore on a different night slightly revealed her chest. The ban concerns not only actual nudity but also the very popular trend of "naked dresses," which reveal large portions of the body through transparent fabrics. Again, Bella Hadid comes to mind when she wore a stunning Haute Couture Schiaparelli look completely open at the chest, where her breasts were covered only by a gold necklace depicting the bronchi of the lungs. However, we have yet to hear the response from brands and stylists, as this ban (or, to be more accurate, an integration into the existing dress code) came just the day before the actual red carpet, disrupting plans for those who may have already chosen a look that is now prohibited. Protests, more or less veiled, are almost certain.

This is not the first time that the Festival has shown a certain rigidity in regulating its guests' attire. In 2015, several women were turned away for wearing flat shoes, including at the premiere of Carol, a film starring Cate Blanchett. And in 2023, it was Blanchett herself who broke the etiquette by removing her heels and walking barefoot on the red carpet. Jennifer Lawrence also caused a stir that same year when she appeared in flip-flops, a gesture interpreted as a provocation, although the actress later explained that the shoes for her look were too big and she couldn’t wear them. Men have also been subject to strict controls. Famously, in 1960, writer Henry Miller was turned away for refusing to wear a tuxedo, while in 2023, Zach Weiss from Vogue was denied access to the premiere of *Jeanne du Barry* because his outfit was deemed “too colorful.” Undoubtedly, stylists and designers are now revising their planned outfits for this year—one wouldn’t be surprised if some guests show up wearing looks directly taken from runway shows rather than custom-made pieces. The Cannes Film Festival's formal dress code dates back to 1946. Although styles have evolved over time, many "unwritten" rules—such as the requirement for women to wear heels—have remained. With this latest revision, the festival seems to be aiming for a clearer and more definitive statement of its expectations, leaving less room for personal interpretation and opting for a more conservative vision of elegance.