11 daring dresses that might be banned at the Cannes Film Festival if worn today

I never thought I’d say this, but we need more “naked” dresses on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet.

You know the style I’m talking about. They’re form-fitted, made with mesh, and heavily beaded in just the right areas.

My colleagues and I have been complaining for years that they’ve overtaken red carpets (at the French festival and elsewhere), but I take it all back now that they’ve been banned from Cannes.

A new dress code for this year’s event, which runs until May 24, prohibits nudity “for decency reasons.” The film festival has also put a stop to excessively voluminous dress trains that make it difficult for others to walk the red carpet or sit inside theaters.

Clearly, we didn’t appreciate what we had when we had it.

So, as we mourn the loss of these dramatic fashion staples, here’s a look at some daring outfits from past Cannes Film Festivals that probably wouldn’t be allowed on the red carpet in 2025.

Eva Longoria’s gray gown at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival showed a lot of skin.

Though the Gabriela Cadena piece appeared conservative from the front with its solid gray fabric, it was actually entirely sheer down its sides.

Only clusters of silver sparkles and see-through mesh sat atop her legs, hips, and torso. Though it worked then, the partial nudity might not fly at this year’s event.

Kendall Jenner put an edgy twist on sheer fashion in 2016.

Roberto Cavalli designed Jenner’s sheer black gown, which might not make it past security at Cannes today.

The long-sleeved piece, crafted from mesh, showed most of her body. She wore only high-waisted underwear beneath it.

A snake print and light glitter made the dress even more dramatic.

Everyone remembers the model’s 2018 appearance in a white Schiaparelli number.

That year, she ditched a bra when she wore her tulle gown, which showed her chest with sheer straps that acted as a top.

Its long, tiered skirt was also see-through and voluminous, though not enough to get in the way of other people walking the red carpet.

Deepika Padukone covered the Cannes stairs with a massive train in 2019.

Every inch of the actor’s Peter Dundas gown was dramatic that year.

It had giant puffed sleeves, a bow that extended past her torso, and a skirt train that was so long it covered numerous steps behind her.

The gown was the definition of voluminous, especially because she needed at least two people to help her get up the stairs.

Ngoc Trinh, on the other hand, essentially wore a leotard that year.

The model walked the Cannes red carpet in a black number from Đỗ Long. It was made from mesh and therefore entirely sheer.

It was also cut in a daring style. The outfit featured a backless halter top, a keyhole cutout at the chest, a thong bottom, and two thin strips of fabric in place of a skirt.

Bella Hadid made a bold accessory choice in 2021 that might break some current rules.

Hadid wore a plain black gown at Cannes in 2021.

However, her long-sleeved Schiaparelli dress was daring with a scooped neckline that plunged to her waist.

The model also wore a golden necklace shaped like lungs to cover her chest. Though not technically nude, wearing the same pieces at the 2025 event would be risky.

Farhana Bodi brought a ton of ruffles to Cannes that year.

The TV star was a vibrant pop of color on the red carpet thanks to her strapless yellow dress. It was crafted from tulle in tiers of ruffles that extended into a long, thick train.

Because the skirt pieces have since been banned, there’s a chance that Bodi wouldn’t be able to wear the same dress to this year’s event.

Leila Depina sported crystal chainmail in 2023.

The model wore a simple thong beneath a sleeveless look crafted from strings of crystals, which showed her body.

To complete the look, Depina sported see-through sandals and delicate jewelry.

Didi Stone was one of last year’s best-dressed stars, but one of her gowns might not slide in 2025.

For one red carpet, the French model wore a black Stéphane Rolland gown. It was made with thick black fabric that draped around her head and hips in a circle and down her legs as a skirt.

What made the ensemble even more daring, though, were the layered rope necklaces she wore as a top. It was bold enough to possibly break this year’s dress code.

Hadid skipped a bra for one of her Cannes appearances last year.

Saint Laurent created the brown halter dress she wore last year, which was almost entirely sheer. Only her waist and hips were wrapped with extra fabric to create a more opaque look.

It might not have been Hadid’s most dramatic look at the film festival, but it was one of her most see-through.

Mean Sonyta wore one of the longest trains in Cannes history last year.

The actor and model wrote on Instagram at the time that she wanted her Cannes outfit to honor Cambodian fashion.

So she tapped designer brand De l’Elegance to create her strapless gown, matching hat, and extensive green train. It was so long, however, that similar trains might not be allowed at future Cannes festivals.

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