But seriously folks, this year Cannes has formally banned nudity from the red carpet (“as well as in any other area of the Festival”), as well as “Voluminous outfits, in particular those with a large train, that hinder the proper flow of traffic of guests and complicate seating in the theater.” It’s sort of a Goldilocks situation—not too much fabric, but not too little fabric either, just enough to preserve the class and dignity of the event. If you’re wondering what that entails, it’s all laid out in the Cannes FAQ (evening wear, “a little black dress,” a cocktail dress, a dark-colored pantsuit, a dressy top with black pants; elegant shoes and sandals with or without a heel as long as they’re not sandals; a black or navy-blue suit with bow-tie or dark-colored tie).
In the past Cannes has been known for strict rules. The requirement that female attendees wear heels stirred up some ire, but that one seems to have relaxed over time. (The strict ban on selfies has not.) In regard to the most recent update of the dress code, a representative for Cannes told The Hollywood Reporter that it only formalized “certain rules that have long been in effect.” The new ban is meant “‘not to regulate attire per se but to prohibit full nudity on the carpet’ in accordance with the institutional framework of the festival as well as French law,” per THR.
Cannes prioritizes elegance and efficiency, but exceptions are always made for the right stars, as Vogue points out. Daring dresses that show a hint of nipple or long, lingering trains will probably still get a pass if it’s, like, Zendaya wearing the ensemble. As long as the clothes are actually clothes (which can’t really be said about Bianca Censori’s Ye-approved fits or the topless protestor at Cannes 2022), attendees will likely be fine. Just don’t overcorrect with a big ol’ headpiece that blocks the view of the person sitting behind you in the theater!
