Sheer Dresses Are Now Banned at the Cannes Film Festival?

The Cannes Film Festival has announced a new dress code that is sending shockwaves through the fashion community.

While France is known for its relatively relaxed attitude towards nudity in film, the iconic red carpet event has taken a decisive stance against the trend of sheer dresses, declaring them a no-go for this year’s festival.

In a document recently published on the official Cannes Film Festival website, organizers have made it clear that nudity, including sheer or “naked” dresses, will be strictly disallowed on the red carpet and in all other areas of the festival. This decision is deemed necessary for “decency reasons,” reflecting a desire to maintain a particular standard of decorum at one of the film industry’s most prestigious gatherings.

The restrictions do not end there. Cannes bosses have also criticized other dress styles that they feel disrupt the fluidity of the event. Elaborate gowns with long trains or voluminous silhouettes that hinder guest movement and complicate seating arrangements have come under fire. Attendees should also note that large carryalls, including tote bags and backpacks, will be considered a fashion faux pas for 2025.

The trend of sheer dresses has flourished in recent years, with the Cannes red carpet serving as a prominent platform for these daring designs.

Influential figures, such as model Bella Hadid, have embraced the look, leading the charge as a style icon and wearing numerous sheer dresses at the festival. In 2024 alone, Hadid was seen in three separate designs that exemplified the “naked” aesthetic, turning heads and pushing boundaries.

The festival’s new regulations signal a shift in direction for the event, as organizers strive to uphold a sense of traditional elegance amidst changing fashion trends. The message is clear: while daring fashion can be celebrated on the runways and in editorial spreads, the red carpet of Cannes will adhere to a code that emphasizes decorum and respect for its cinematic heritage.

As the festival unfolds this year, attendees will be expected to comply with these strict rules or risk denial of access to the coveted red carpet. The fashion police at Cannes are prepared to enforce these guidelines, reminding all guests that the elegance and prestige of the festival outweigh the allure of sheer fabric.