Everybody Breaking the Dress Code Rule at Cannes 2025

At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, the drama wasn’t just on screen—it was trailing behind stars on the red carpet. A new and surprisingly strict rule in the festival’s charter has stirred up controversy, targeting one of the red carpet’s most beloved features: the train.

According to the updated guidelines, “voluminous outfits, in particular those with a large train, that hinder the proper flow of traffic of guests and complicate seating” inside the Grand Théâtre Lumière are now officially banned. In other words, if your dress takes up too much space, it’s not welcome.

Another unexpected restriction? No nudity. The rule specifically limits sheer, see-through, or overly revealing gowns—a staple of recent red carpet culture and often the most talked-about looks of the night. With naked dresses dominating awards season after awards season, Cannes’ push for modesty feels like a sharp pivot away from the usual fashion free-for-all.

Some stars decided to test the limits—whether with a dramatic silhouette, a barely-there neckline, or yes, a bold, billowing train. And honestly? It made for some of the most memorable fashion moments of the festival.

Ahead, a roundup of celebrities who dared to defy the dress code—whether intentionally or not—and made a serious statement on the steps of the Palais.