Context:

The 2025 Cannes Film Festival has introduced new dress code regulations that prohibit nudity and voluminous outfits on the red carpet to ensure decency and smooth traffic flow. The festival has reinforced the requirement for attendees, particularly women, to wear heels, and those not complying may be denied entry. These changes reflect longstanding rules rather than new regulations, emphasizing proper attire without overly restricting personal expression. Over the years, the festival has witnessed viral moments involving stars removing their heels and wearing sheer outfits, as well as protests, highlighting the ongoing tension between tradition and personal style. The updated charter aims to balance the glamour of the event with practical considerations for guest movement and decorum.

Dive Deeper:

• The Cannes Film Festival has updated its dress code to prohibit nudity and voluminous outfits, such as those with large trains, to prevent interference with guest movement and seating arrangements.

• There is a longstanding requirement for women to wear heels on the red carpet, and failure to comply with this rule has resulted in some attendees being turned away from events.

• The updated dress code is intended to reinforce decency and manage the flow of guests, not to impose strict attire regulations, according to a festival representative.

• Over the years, the festival has seen stars go viral for removing their heels while ascending the steps at the Palais des Festivals, reflecting ongoing debates about dress codes and comfort.

• Sheer outfits have been a popular choice among celebrities, with notable figures like Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner making headlines for their daring looks on the red carpet.

• The festival has also experienced unexpected moments, such as a topless protestor taking over the red carpet, highlighting the challenges of maintaining tradition while accommodating personal expression.

• These dress code updates emphasize the festival's goal of maintaining a balance between the event's glamorous image and practical considerations for attendee movement and decorum.

• There are new dress code rules for the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, kicking off tomorrow.

• A new update from the Festival’s official charter was posted, which said, “For decency reasons, nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as in any other area of the festival. Voluminous outfits, in particular those with a large train, that hinder the proper flow of traffic of guests and complicate seating in the theater are not permitted. The festival welcoming teams will be obligated to prohibit red carpet access to anyone not respecting these rules.”

• Keep reading to find out more…

• A rep told THR that they recently updated the charter to reflect “certain rules that have long been in effect” and it’s “not to regulate attire per se but to prohibit full nudity on the carpet.”

• Heels are notoriously required for women as well, and there are reports that attendees at events have been turned away for not wearing them. Stars have gone viral over the years for taking off their heels while walking up the iconic steps at the Palais des Festivals.

• Many stars have worn stunning sheer looks over the years – like Bella Hadid (see the photos here) and Kendall Jenner (see the photos here). A topless protestor also once overtook the red carpet.