Cannes Film Festival Enforces New Dress Code

The Cannes Film Festival has introduced new rules aimed at curbing the trend of celebrities showing up in revealing attire. No more intentionally exposed skin or sheer garments—attendees must now wear appropriate clothing, as officials seek to restore a sense of dignity to the event.

This shift comes after 2025 Cannes organizers decided to clarify existing guidelines regarding nudity and extravagant outfits. A spokesperson explained that the changes don’t strictly target fashion choices but aim to prohibit complete nudity on the red carpet. It feels like a response to the fashion missteps that have left some stars appearing a bit, well, foolish.

It’s somewhat surprising that event leaders felt the need to enforce such a ban, but perhaps that’s how it goes in contemporary culture. The festival’s website now explicitly states that nudity is not permitted on the red carpet or any other festival area.

This new policy followed an incident where Kanye West’s wife attended the Grammy Awards nearly naked, wearing only a sheer dress that offered very little coverage. Cannes not only cracked down on nudity but also prohibited outfits with long trains that could block others or cause seating problems.

“Festival staff will be tasked with denying red carpet access to anyone disregarding these rules,” they stated. Past offenders include notable figures like Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Elle Fanning, but this year, Cannes seems determined to enforce its standards.

The announcement came on the eve of the festival, stirring up reactions among stars who had already selected their attire. Halle Berry, for example, stepped out in a lovely striped dress but lamented that her original choice was rejected due to its train size. “I had an amazing dress by Gupta that I cannot wear tonight because it’s too big of a train,” she remarked, expressing her commitment to complying with the rules.

Berry acknowledged that the no-nudity stance is “probably a good rule.” Meanwhile, Bella Hadid, known for her daring outfits, adjusted her look this year. She still turned heads with a thigh-high slit in her black dress, but kept other areas covered to meet the new guidelines.

Interestingly, the festival has previously denied entry to female attendees who did not wear high heels, which adds another layer to their strict dress policies. The 2025 Cannes Film Festival will take place from May 13 to May 24.