The Cannes Film Festival has long been a global showcase for cinema — and fashion. But this year, a new rule has sent shockwaves through the style world: for the 2025 edition, the festival announced that “for decency reasons, nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as in any other area of the festival.” In the same breath, it also banned “voluminous outfits” that obstruct movement or seating. Both bans have reignited debates about control, cultural norms, and the evolving role of fashion at major events.
A Clampdown on Naked Dresses
Naked dresses — sheer, revealing, or body-clinging garments — have become a mainstay of high-profile red carpets, including Cannes. In recent years, celebrities like Bella Hadid, Naomi Campbell, and Kendall Jenner have made headlines with translucent or barely-there designs. To some, these outfits are symbols of confidence and creative expression. To Cannes, they are now deemed inappropriate.
The festival cited “decency” as the rationale, though critics argue the term is vague and selectively enforced. Style watchers and cultural commentators have questioned whether the rule reflects a broader global trend of increasing conservatism in policing women’s bodies. As the Instagram fashion account Boring Not Com pointed out, “God forbid someone serves a nipple… The quiet return of conservatism is real.”
Double Standards and Historic Parallels
The contradiction at the heart of the ban hasn’t gone unnoticed. Viewers pointed out that nudity is commonplace in many of the films screened at the festival — often featuring women — while being forbidden outside the theatre doors. Others recalled Cannes’ 2015 controversy, when women were reportedly turned away for wearing flat shoes. Meanwhile, male guests have historically been afforded more leniency.
“A woman in a sheer dress is seen as ‘indecent’. A woman in a burkini is seen as a threat to public order. It’s a lose-lose situation,” wrote journalist Shahed Ezaydi.
Indeed, Cannes has a long history of selectively applied dress codes. In 1960, jury member Henry Miller was denied entry for refusing to wear a dinner jacket. Pablo Picasso, however, was allowed to flout the rules in 1953 wearing a sheepskin coat. Such inconsistencies suggest a culture that values elitism and image over uniform fairness.
Voluminous Gowns Also Get the Axe
In addition to naked dresses, Cannes has outlawed oversized or elaborate gowns that create logistical challenges. Outfits with large trains — frequently worn by models and influencers — are blamed for clogging red-carpet entrances and blocking theatre seating.
Style insiders such as Louis Pisano have noted that some guests wear “the craziest, most insane, biggest thing they can find” purely for photo opportunities. The new rules, then, are as much about crowd control and time management as they are about dress code etiquette. As one red carpet veteran put it, “everybody gets clogged up.”
Pushback from the Fashion Community
Stylists, designers, and celebrities have expressed frustration at the sudden announcement, made just a day before the festival began. Many had already finalized looks months in advance. Actress Halle Berry — who had planned to wear a dramatic gown with a long train — had to pivot last-minute. “The nudity part I do think is probably also a good rule,” she said, but criticized the timing.
“It shows how much you don’t respect the people who are attending your festival… especially the stylists,” said stylist Besovic.
Fashion or Film: What’s the Red Carpet For?
The debate goes beyond fashion choices. It’s about the red carpet itself — whether it’s an artistic platform or a marketing machine. In the U.S., red carpets at events like the Met Gala have become spectacles, often driven by sponsorships and six-figure styling deals. Cannes, by contrast, has long prided itself on being more restrained and cinema-focused.
However, with fashion moments at Cannes now rivalling the movies in media coverage, the festival appears to be drawing a line. Organizers want to ensure that the spectacle doesn’t outshine the screening. But this, too, is subjective. For many, what stars wear is part of the glamour and fantasy of cinema culture — a valid form of self-expression and storytelling.
Enforcement and Exceptions
The question remains: how strictly will Cannes enforce these rules? The festival says “welcoming teams will be obligated to prohibit red-carpet access to anyone not respecting these rules.” But critics suspect that exceptions will be made — especially for A-list stars and brand ambassadors.
“Rumour has it,” writes Style Not Com, “it won’t apply to the real stars of the carpet… They show up for the photo op, skip the screening, and slip out the back.” The likely outcome? Influencers in oversized gowns may be turned away, while Hollywood’s elite walk freely — sheer dresses and all.
The Rebellion Continues
If history is any guide, those who break the rules may ultimately win public favor. Julia Roberts went barefoot in 2016 in response to the heels-only policy and was widely praised. In 2018, Kristen Stewart removed her stilettos on the steps, declaring, “If you’re not asking guys to wear heels and a dress, you cannot ask me either.”
Will a similar rebellion emerge this year? If so, it may yet prove that the red carpet — despite Cannes’ best efforts — remains a space for more than just regulation and restraint. It’s also where stars make statements, even if that statement is made in 10-denier fabric.
