Cannes or Can’t? The Film Festival’s Wild Wardrobe Rules
If you were planning to hit the Cannes Film Festival red carpet this year with a sheer dress, a killer pair of sneakers, and your iPhone at the ready — think again. The French Riviera's most glamorous event has quietly become the strictest party in town, and the latest rules? No sheer dresses. No flats. And definitely no selfies.
Yep, you read that right.
Who Makes These Rules, and Why So Uptight?
The dress code is enforced by the festival organizers, officially the Festival de Cannes committee, in collaboration with event security and fashion consultants. While Cannes has always had a reputation for being old-school chic, recent years have seen it move from “classic elegance” to what some are calling full-blown red carpet policing.
These rules are reportedly meant to uphold the “prestige and formality” of the event. But let’s be honest — this is also Cannes trying to distance itself from what they see as a new wave of “Instagram-era exhibitionism.”
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Bella Hadid - Cannes Film Festival
Bianca Censori Broke the Internet, and Cannes Reacted
After Kanye West’s wife Bianca Censori stole headlines with her almost-transparent dress at a recent awards show, it seems Cannes is preemptively shutting down the sheer trend. Festival insiders say her outfit sparked a quiet frenzy among organizers, who feared a wave of similar barely-there looks this season. As a result, sheer, nude, or “overly revealing” outfits are reportedly being turned away at the door — no matter how famous the wearer.
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Heels Over Health? Cannes Still Says Oui to Pain
One thing that hasn’t changed is the infamous high heels rule for women. Cannes was criticized years ago for turning away women in flat shoes — and guess what? That unofficial rule still applies. Comfort, it seems, is not part of the Cannes couture lexicon.
Voluminous Dresses and Trains Get the Cut
In a surprising twist, Cannes has also reportedly discouraged attendees from wearing voluminous gowns and long, dramatic trains. Why? It’s not about aesthetics — it’s about traffic control. Oversized dresses have been blamed for clogging the red carpet flow, delaying arrivals, and turning the entrance into a logistical nightmare.
About Those Selfies…
Believe it or not, selfies on the red carpet are strictly discouraged — if not banned. Organizers say it slows down the procession and "cheapens" the image of the festival. Critics say it's just another way Cannes is clinging to its pre-social-media image.
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Glamour or Gatekeeping?
Cannes may still be the gold standard for cinematic prestige, but its dress code is increasingly being seen as out of touch. While it claims to protect the dignity of the red carpet, others see it as a refusal to evolve. Either way, it’s clear: at Cannes, tradition trumps trend — and comfort, and modernity, and maybe fun, too.
So next time you're packing for the French Riviera? Leave the flats, ditch the sheer, and for heaven’s sake, keep your phone in your bag.
