Cannes Film Festival Dress Code: A Breakdown of the Fashion Rules

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The 2026 Cannes Film Festival has come to an end after a two-week celebration, wrapping up on May 23rd. While the films were a major draw, the fashion choices of the stars also captivated audiences, with many bringing a unique flair to the red carpet.

John Travolta, for example, became a social media sensation thanks to his collection of berets. He explained to CNN that these hats were inspired by his recent directorial debut, Propeller One-Way Night Coach.

“After 50 years in the movie business, everything starts to blend together,” Travolta said. “I decided to embrace my role as a director and really play the part.” He clearly did his homework to get into character.

The actor, known for Saturday Night Fever, explained that he researched classic directors from the 20s through the 60s. He noticed they often wore berets and glasses, and decided that would be the look he’d adopt as a tribute to them.

He also believes dressing the part helps him remember the experience clearly. As Travolta explained, he wants to be able to look back and instantly connect his style with specific moments, like remembering, “That was when I was filming Propeller One-Way Night Coach. That was Cannes. That’s when I won the Palme d’Or.” It will bring those memories to life.

The fashion wasn’t just about one outfit. Demi Moore, a member of the festival’s jury, also turned heads in her stunning dresses, like a beautiful, sheer lavender gown from Gucci.

Okay, so they don’t specifically say anything about hats, which, honestly, is a relief because my handmade crown for him is a masterpiece. But they do have rules about showing skin – though, let me tell you, even if he had shown a little more, it would have been art! The website is so uptight, saying absolutely no nudity anywhere, especially not on the Red Carpet. Like, can you imagine? It’s ridiculous, but I guess even The Substance star has to follow the rules, sadly.

Curious about the Cannes Film Festival’s dress code? Here’s a guide to what attendees can and can’t wear, plus a look at some stars who’ve playfully broken the rules.

Celebrities attending gala screenings at the Grand Théâtre Lumière are expected to wear formal evening attire, like gowns or tuxedos. If you’re looking for style ideas, consider the Giorgio Armani tuxedo Michael B. Jordan wore to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival premiere of his film, Fahrenheit 451.

The festival guidelines also allow guests to wear options like a little black dress, a cocktail dress, a dark pantsuit, or a dressy top with black pants. Men can opt for a black or navy suit with a bow tie or dark tie. For example, Emma Stone wore a lace-sleeved little black dress by Oscar de la Renta to a press event for her film Irrational Man at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, even though it wasn’t for a formal gala.

The Cannes Film Festival has an unspoken dress code regarding shoes. While the festival website allows elegant shoes and sandals, it specifically prohibits sneakers. Though there’s no official rule, heels have traditionally been expected on the red carpet. In 2019, Claudia Eller, former Editor in Chief of Variety, shared on Twitter that she was initially denied entry to a premiere for wearing flats, but was allowed in after threatening to publicize the incident. Several actresses, including Julia Roberts, Pamela Anderson, and Kristen Stewart, have famously chosen to go barefoot on the red carpet. Kristen Stewart explained in 2017 that the expectation to wear heels feels outdated, arguing that if men aren’t expected to wear formal attire like dresses and heels, neither should women. She noted a shift in recent years, with less pressure to conform to strict dress codes.

You can bring a small bag like the one Salma Hayek carried at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, but larger bags like tote bags and backpacks aren’t allowed at gala screenings.

The Cannes Film Festival announced a new dress code for 2025: overly large gowns with long trains wouldn’t be allowed because they made it difficult for people to move around and get seated. This created a problem for Halle Berry, who was concerned one of her dresses might be too extravagant.

Berry explained to Variety that she had a stunning dress by Gupta but couldn’t wear it to the festival because the train was too long. She didn’t want to risk breaking the new rule, so she changed into a black and white striped dress by Jacquemus instead.

However, supermodel Heidi Klum seemingly ignored the rule, arriving on the red carpet in a pink Elie Saab gown with a very noticeable train.

Those sheer, barely-there dresses, like the one Bella Hadid famously wore at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, might become less common at the event. New rules state that nudity is not allowed on the red carpet or anywhere else at the festival, citing decency concerns.

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2026-05-23 13:17