Celebs Are Already Breaking The New 2025 Cannes Film Festival Dress Code

Sometimes, fashion means breaking the rules, and celebrities at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival are embracing this practice in the name of couture style. Just one day before the event began on Tuesday, May 13, the film festival introduced a new dress code for its attendees that is more modest than in previous years. First, nudity is not allowed, which may be an improvement seeing as some of the worst-dressed celebs on the 2024 Cannes Film Festival red carpet wore sheer clothing. But perhaps the biggest fashion crime of all is that long trains are no longer welcome. Cannes said in its new ruling, "Voluminous outfits, in particular those with a large train, that hinder the proper flow of traffic of guests and complicate seating in the theater are not permitted." It sounds like the organization means business, too, as Cannes warned that anyone breaking the dress code will not be allowed to walk the red carpet.

It appears that not everyone agrees with the updated dress code, as several celebrities have hit the Cannes red carpet in larger-than-life dresses. Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio unapologetically wore a strapless teal gown that included both a draped skirt and a train. Ambrosio was sure to position the long train that dragged behind her for the cameras to see. Additionally, Bella Hadid showed a little skin with spring's exposed fashion trend by wearing a sleek, black dress from Saint Laurent that featured a long slit up to the waist. Cannes may have had a problem with the dress, as it featured cutouts under the arms that exposed Hadid's ribcage, but even if the organization did, it didn't stop her from walking the carpet.

Long and luxurious dress trains are a timeless fashion statement that always catches the eye. You could even wear a train with everyday outfits (because they're not just for weddings). And while the Cannes Film Festival doesn't favor them, it's clear that many celebrities are still fans of long trains.

Heidi Klum stunned in a big, pink dress with ruffles, poofs, and a luxurious (but outlawed) train. The flowery gown looked like beautiful petals were stitched together, giving Klum extra mystique. Her long train trailed behind her for several feet. Furthermore, the slit down the dress' skirt exposed Klum's long legs — another detail Cannes likely wanted to avoid with its new dress code.

Other attendees got in on the fun, too. Chinese actor Wan QianHui also ignored the "no train" rule. She wore a massive, ivory skirt that almost leaned into butter-yellow territory, keeping her on-trend. Her puffy tulle skirt included multiple layers of marshmallow-like material, and it was obvious from her smile that QianHui loved the look. 

Oscar winner Halle Berry had her wardrobe all picked out for the 2025 Cannes Film Festival — that is, until she heard about the new dress code. "I had an amazing dress by Gupta that I cannot wear tonight because it's too big of a train. I'm not going to break the rules. The nudity part is also probably a good rule," she said at a press event on the festival's opening day (via Variety). She ended up wearing a sleeveless, striped black-and-white dress with overlaying fabric. The dress had a high neck and a slight pink poof in the back to give it more dimension. She also wore a stunning dark-gray outfit that fitted her like a glove and showed minimal skin.

Berry wasn't the only one who appeared to compromise, but others left their opinion on the dress code more ambiguous. Julia Garner wore a modest, floor-length gown that had a short train and could be positioned with the skirt to appear less wide. On the other hand, Eva Longoria wore a thin train but appeared to position it in a way that elongated the garment. The train was held up with a bow on the back of her elegant, black-and-gold gown but was relatively small rather than "voluminous," so it's unknown whether this would be a violation of Cannes' new dress code.