What’s Really Behind the Sheer Dress Ban at the Cannes Film Festival?

The Cannes Film Festival red carpet has long been synonymous with cinematic glamour and bold fashion statements. But this year, a new rule has sent shockwaves through the style set: sheer, “naked” dresses and extravagant, voluminous gowns are officially banned. The festival’s organizers have made it clear-guests who don’t comply will be turned away from the iconic Croisette steps.

The New Dress Code: Decency Over Daring

The updated guidelines, announced just ahead of the festival’s opening, explicitly prohibit nudity and see-through ensembles on the red carpet, citing “decency reasons.” The ban also extends to gowns with dramatic trains or oversized silhouettes that could hinder guest movement or complicate seating in the Palais’ theaters. Festival welcoming teams have been instructed to deny entry to anyone flouting these rules.

This move is a direct response to the growing trend of sheer, skin-baring looks that have dominated recent red carpets at Cannes and beyond. Bella Hadid, the unofficial queen of La Croisette, famously wore three sheer dresses in 2024 alone, while other stars like Kendall Jenner and Julia Fox have made headlines for their daring, barely-there ensembles.

Why Now? Fashion, Logistics, and Festival Identity

While the official rationale centers on “decency” and “logistical efficiency,” the timing and tone of the ban suggest a deeper tension. Cannes has always balanced its role as a temple of cinema with its status as a global fashion spectacle. In recent years, the red carpet’s focus on headline-grabbing style-especially ultra-sheer and oversized looks-has at times threatened to overshadow the films themselves.

There’s also a practical side: in 2023 and 2024, gowns with dramatic trains reportedly caused bottlenecks at the carpet entrance, delaying premieres and complicating the work of photographers. The festival is seeking to restore order and ensure smooth guest flow, but some see the crackdown as a bid to reclaim the red carpet’s traditional elegance-and perhaps, its cinematic seriousness.

The Culture Wars: Decency, Empowerment, and Double Standards

The ban has sparked heated debate across the fashion industry and social media. Critics argue that the move reflects a broader cultural shift toward conservatism and increased regulation of women’s bodies, all under the guise of “decency”. Others point out the hypocrisy: Cannes is celebrated for its open-mindedness on screen, yet polices women’s attire on the carpet. As one fashion commentator quipped, “God forbid someone serves a nipple”.

For many, naked dressing has become a symbol of empowerment and self-expression. Stars like Rose McGowan have championed the trend as a statement of agency. Yet, the festival’s new rules seem to signal a retreat from such freedoms-raising questions about who gets to define “appropriate” on one of the world’s most-watched stages.

Not the First-And Likely Not the Last

Cannes’ history is peppered with dress code controversies. In 2015, women were reportedly turned away for wearing flat shoes, prompting stars like Cate Blanchett and Kristen Stewart to rebel by walking barefoot or in flip-flops. The festival has previously banned selfies and now, in 2025, is clamping down on both nudity and oversized silhouettes-rules that, as history shows, are often bent or broken by the boldest attendees.

Already, the new guidelines have had real consequences: Halle Berry, a member of this year’s jury, revealed she had to ditch a dramatic Gaurav Gupta gown because its train was deemed too large. Meanwhile, Bella Hadid, ever the provocateur, managed to command attention in a sleek, slit-to-there gown that cleverly skirted the nudity ban without sacrificing impact.

The Verdict: End of an Era, or a New Chapter?

As the world’s most prestigious film festival seeks to recalibrate its red carpet, the new dress code marks a turning point. Will it usher in a new era of restrained, minimalist glamour-or will stars and designers find creative ways to push the boundaries yet again? One thing is certain: at Cannes, fashion will always be part of the story, whether it’s celebrated, censored, or reinvented.

For now, the message from the Croisette is clear: elegance, not excess, is the new order of the day. But as every seasoned festival watcher knows, rules at Cannes are made to be challenged-and the world will be watching to see who dares to do just that