The Cannes Film Festival has long been a dazzling fusion of cinema and couture. But at this year’s 2025 edition, celebrities aren’t just dressing to impress—they’re dressing to comply. From banned trains to outlawed nudity, the red carpet has its own set of commandments, and breaking them could get you benched from the biggest night in film.
Couture meets control: Fashion under surveillance
At Cannes, fashion is practically a co-star. But even the most glamorous ensembles must bow to protocol. Just ask Halle Berry, who revealed at a May 13 press conference that her original outfit—a dramatic Gupta gown—was nixed by the festival’s evolving dress code.
“I had an amazing dress by Gupta to wear tonight, and I cannot wear it because the train is too big,” Berry said. “Of course, I’m going to follow the rules. So, I had to make a pivot.” She ultimately wore a chic black-and-white Jacquemus silk organza gown instead. Though she saved the Gupta number for a later dinner event, the message was clear: fashion at Cannes is fabulous, but not free-for-all.
No trains, no trouble
The crackdown on “voluminous outfits” is one of Cannes 2025’s most buzzed-about updates. According to the festival’s charter, any dress with a large train that could “hinder the proper flow of traffic” or make theater seating complicated is officially off-limits.
That didn’t stop models like Heidi Klum or actress Wan QianHui from pushing boundaries, both strutting down the red carpet in showstopping gowns with extensive trains. Still, such rebellion risks removal from the carpet—and the cameras. The new rule is more than an inconvenience; it’s a statement about space, safety, and shared spectacle.
Bare minimum? Think again
Another bold update: nudity, even implied, is banned. “For decency reasons,” the festival’s updated charter declares, “nudity is prohibited on the Red Carpet, as well as in any other area of the Festival.”
Berry herself supported the decision, saying, “That’s probably also a good rule.” While Cannes has historically embraced daring fashion, the shift signals a move toward modesty—at least in official venues. Expect fewer sheer panels and illusion gowns in the wake of this declaration.
A Cannes representative defended the measure, emphasizing that “the objective is not to regulate attire per se but to prohibit full nudity on the carpet,” aligning the event with both French law and the festival’s family-friendly image.
Dress the part or don’t attend
Cannes has always demanded a certain sartorial gravitas, and gala screenings at the Grand Théâtre Lumière remain the apex of formality. Attendees must don evening wear—typically a floor-length gown for women and a tuxedo for men. Stars like Michael B. Jordan and Natalie Portman have historically used these moments to make timeless fashion statements.
However, there’s flexibility for those attending non-gala events. The festival allows for chic alternatives, including cocktail dresses, pantsuits, black or navy-blue suits with ties, and even “dressy tops with black pants.” A modern nod to inclusivity, this clause makes space for varied expressions of elegance.
Emma Stone exemplified this balance in 2015, when she wore a lace-sleeved little black dress by Oscar de la Renta to a press event for Irrational Man. It was classic, refined—and perfectly within code.
Heels off the pedestal
In previous years, the notion that women must wear high heels at Cannes drew backlash, with several high-profile attendees refusing to toe the line. Actress Kristen Stewart famously removed her shoes mid-carpet in 2018, stating, “If you’re not asking guys to wear heels and a dress, you cannot ask me either.”
That ethos seems to have caught on. While Cannes now permits “elegant shoes and sandals with or without a heel,” the rulebook still holds one line firm: no sneakers at gala screenings. Despite their rise in high-fashion circles, practical footwear remains out of step with red carpet tradition.
This was illustrated back in 2019, when journalist Claudia Eller tweeted that she was nearly barred from a screening for wearing flats. Though she eventually got in, her story highlighted how gendered and outdated some of these rules once felt.
Small is chic: Bags get downsized
Think small when it comes to accessories. Oversized tote bags, backpacks, and large handbags are officially barred from gala screenings. Stars like Salma Hayek have embraced the trend, opting for small clutches that pair elegance with functionality.
It’s a reminder that the festival isn’t just a fashion parade—it’s a tightly choreographed event. Streamlining accessories is another way Cannes maintains order while still leaving room for personal style.
Star power vs. structure
Despite the rigid regulations, some celebrities continue to treat the Cannes red carpet as their own runway. Whether it’s through daring silhouettes, bold statements, or subtle rule-breaking, there remains a palpable tension between tradition and rebellion.
That very friction is what makes Cannes such a compelling cultural moment. For every polished look that follows the rulebook, there’s an ensemble pushing boundaries—sometimes literally, like a gown’s trailing hemline sweeping the carpet behind it.
Why the rules matter
Cannes may be a celebration of cinematic art, but it’s also a reflection of evolving social expectations, cultural diplomacy, and public image management. With thousands of attendees, dozens of events, and millions watching around the globe, the festival walks a fine line between glamour and governance.
As organizers see it, the dress code isn’t about suppressing creativity—it’s about preserving the shared experience. A voluminous train might be a fashion fantasy for one star, but a tripping hazard for another. A sheer gown might be a bold expression, but it could risk clashing with regional decency laws or festival sponsors. So yes, the rules are strict. But in the world of Cannes, the red carpet is more than just a photo op—it’s a global stage. And on that stage, what you wear might say more than any film ever could.
