Cannes is known for its movies, but right now, everyone is talking about the clothes.The 79th Annual Cannes Film Festival kicked off on May 12, 2026, in France, drawing A-listers and fashion icons to the Palais des Festivals for a week of premieres, galas, and red carpet moments.But before any celebrity showed off their style, the festival reminded them of some rules. Luckily, that didn’t hinder the fashion-forward moments or the surprise announcement from a power couple.Cannes has never been a come-as-you-are kind of event. For gala screenings at the Grand Théâtre Lumière, the official rules require evening wear: long dresses, tuxedos, cocktail dresses, or dark-colored pantsuits.

Sneakers are a hard no, and large bags and backpacks are checked into lockers before guests enter. But the dress code has gotten more specific since 2025.As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the festival updated its official charter to explicitly ban anyone from coming au naturel. Voluminous outfits with oversized trains that block traffic flow or make seating in the theater difficult are also not allowed.A festival rep confirmed the update was meant to reflect “certain rules that have long been in effect,” and that the goal was “not to regulate attire per se but to prohibit full nudity on the carpet” in line with French law.