This year’s Cannes Film Festival is set to look a little different than years’ past—namely, a bit more modest and, we anticipate, understated. This comes after the festival announced a few updates to the gala’s dress code. Outlawed from the 2025 red carpet is a host of silhouettes , from voluminous gowns and statement-worthy trains to the sultry, sheer trend most A-list celebrities like Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski often wear.
An update for the Grand Théâtre Lumière gala screenings official dressing guidelines reads: “For decency reasons, nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as in any other area of the festival.” It’s safe to say that we aren’t expecting to see sheer overlays in delicate chiffon, airy organza and vintage-looking lace if the dresses are sans lining. At Cannes, distractions are out of the question. Turning to recent star-studded events and even past Cannes Film Festivals, see-through numbers are far from scant. The naked dress has, throughout history, been a near-permanent fixture of the red carpet.
For those familiar with the film festival’s strict red carpet regulations, these additions may not come as much of a surprise with the flat shoe ban of 2023 in mind. Many celebrities, like Emily Blunt, expressed disappointment over the policy, which saw many women restricted from various premieres for their lack of heels while men went about business in their flat dress shoes. At the 2016 premiere for Money Monster, Julia Roberts slipped off her heels as she ascended onto the red carpet, causing a stir.
Modesty and spectacle aside, the festival is also worried about functionality both inside and outside of the theatre. “Voluminous outfits, in particular those with a large train, that hinder the proper flow of traffic of guests and complicate seating in the theatre are not permitted,” the statement continues. “The festival welcoming teams will be obligated to prohibit red carpet access to anyone not respecting these rules.”
Looking at seasons past, these new regulations might pose a creative challenge for many celebrities. In 2023, Hari Nef arrived in a Spring/Summer 2023 Fendi Couture gown. Two decades prior, Cameron Diaz wore a sheer gown by Donatella Versace for the premiere of her film Gangs of New York. The festival’s parting with naked dresses marks a turning point for the burgeoning film festival. Perhaps we’ll see a return to ‘90s-inspired sheath dresses.
Below, some of the most memorable sheer looks from past years that walked the Cannes Film Festival red carpet.
Sienna Miller
JB Lacroix / Contributor / Getty Images
2024
Hari Neff
Mike Coppola / Staff / Getty Images
2023
Cameron Diaz
J. Vespa / Contributor / Getty Images
2002
Milla Jovovich
Neil Munns - PA Images / Contributor / Getty Images
1997
Bella Hadid
Marc Piasecki / Contributor / Getty Images
2024
Elle Fanning
Lionel Hahn / Contributor / Getty Images
2024
Kendall Jenner
George Pimentel / Contributor / Getty Images
2018
Maria Bourges
Daniele Venturelli / Contributor / Getty Images
2018
Mia Regan
Daniele Venturelli / Contributor / Getty Images
2024
Claudia Schiffer
Toni Anne Barson / Contributor / Getty Images
2011
