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Attending Cannes 2023 to promote Bread and Roses as a producer, Jennifer Lawrence chose a Dior dress, paired with a diamond necklace and flip-flops. According to MSN, the actress opted for rubber flip-flops for comfort on the stairs. For a long time, all female guests at Cannes were required to wear high heels on the red carpet to demonstrate formality. This rule has faced opposition from many stars, including Kristen Stewart. |
The Cannes Film Festival 2026 will take place from 12/5 to 23/5 in France. According to Prestige, this year's festival continues to require guests to avoid nude or cumbersome fashion. Organizers encourage attendees to wear "elegant, subtly seductive, form-fitting attire with sophisticated cut-outs". Additionally, traditional rules such as formal dress and high heels remain in effect.
Throughout the event's history, many celebrities have defied the dress code, including Wan Qianhui. In 2025, the Chinese artist appeared on the red carpet in an oversized gown with a floor-sweeping train. Organizers told Reuters that such outfits cause aisle congestion, making it crowded and uncomfortable for many attendees.
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According to Vogue, director Spike Lee was the most talked-about man on the Cannes 2021 red carpet. On opening day, he stood out among the jury in a pink Louis Vuitton suit, paired with sneakers—a design that violated the dress code. Vogue noted that for men, Cannes rules always dictate elegant and basic designs such as shirts, suits, tuxedos, blazers, and tailored fabric trousers, combined with formal shoes. |
In the same year, Isabelle Huppert attended the premiere of Highest 2 Lowest. The actress wore a full denim ensemble by Balenciaga, featuring a top designed to appear worn backward and a floor-length skirt. Denim is often considered unsuitable for Cannes events.
Vogue states that guests must wear evening gowns for film screenings and cocktail dresses, dark suits, or long trousers for side events.
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Marion Cotillard arrived at the Matthias and Maxime screening in 2019. The actress chose a matching knit crop top and shorts, paired with boots. The outfit was from Ludovic de Saint Sernin's Autumn Winter 2019 collection. She added a Balmain dragon-print denim coat, treated with a distressed technique in many areas. |
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In 2016, Kristen Stewart appeared in denim sneakers. |
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In the same year, at the Money Monster film premiere, Julia Roberts wore an Armani gown. According to Instyle, only as she ascended the stairs did audiences realize she was barefoot—an act protesting the high heels rule. Vogue noted that the red carpet rules at the film festival exhaust many actors. |
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In 2017, supermodel Kendall Jenner wore denim shorts to a fundraising event in Cannes.
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Actors Robert Downey Jr. (left) and Keanu Reeves attended the screening of Richard Linklater's A Scanner Darkly in 2006. Robert broke convention with his baggy jeans.
Sao Mai
