The Cannes Film Festival remains one of the glitziest events in the showbiz calendar – but with such pressure to impress comes some sure-fire sartorial flops.
Tonight, glamorous A-listers will flock to the hallowed steps of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès on the French town’s seafront to showcase the first of their ensembles for the annual 12-day occasion.
But there must be something in the air, for the coastal resort seems to encourage those who attend to be somewhat, shall we say, braver when it comes to their outfit choices.
Clothes that wouldn’t be seen in the likes of New York, London or Paris, get an airing in the super flamboyant and opulent atmosphere of one of the world’s most luxurious coastlines.
This year’s festival, which opens on Tuesday and runs until May 23, will no doubt once again see a carousel of weird and wacky designs appear on the red carpet.
In previous years, standout looks for all the wrong reasons have been worn by stars such as Julia Fox, Heidi Klum and Kristen Stewart. Read on to discover more of the worst-dressed at Cannes…
In previous years, standout looks for all the wrong reasons have been worn by stars such as Julia Fox, Heidi Klum (pictured) and Kristen Stewart
In 2023, Julia Fox showed off her quirky style in an explicit see-through PVC outfit as she attended The Idol Premiere afterparty at Palm Beach during the 76th annual film festival
Yseult is seen at the Martinez hotel during the 76th Cannes film festival
In 2023, model Heidi, 52, put on a busty display in a daring yellow gown which featured a cut out detail along the chest.
The risqué garment also featured a thigh-high leg split and a flowing cape which Heidi showed off as she walked the red carpet at the premiere of French film La Passion De Dodin Bouffant, known as The Pot-au-Feu in English.
Adding height to her frame with a pair of clear heels, Heidi drew further attention to her eye-catching look with a silver bejewelled detail along the shoulders.
The America’s Got Talent judge suffered a wardrobe malfunction as the figure-hugging garment slipped on her chest while she was posing.
Meanwhile, Kate Beckinsale opted for an equally daring look at the event, sporting a green bejewelled bodysuit with a high collar and numerous cut outs that highlighted her figure.
The unique outfit also featured several ruby embellishments while Kate paired it with a flowing green skirt tied around her waist in a bow.
That same year, Julia Fox showed off her quirky style in an explicit see-through PVC outfit as she attended The Idol Premiere afterparty at Palm Beach during the 76th annual film festival.
The Italian-American actress, who dated Kanye West, went braless in a sheer white top with oversized sleeves and pompom details.
Margot Robbie at the Once Upon a Time In… Hollywood premiere in 2019
Elena Lenina attends the Benedetta screening during the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival on July 09, 2021
Kate Beckinsale opted for an equally daring look in 2023, sporting a green bejewelled bodysuit with a high collar and numerous cut outs that highlighted her figure
Kristen Stewart attends the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 14, 2018
Alexander Skarsgard at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival in May 2025
Bella Hadid attends the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals on May 18, 2016
She donned a pair of matching see-through trousers and heels, while accessorising with a unique mohawk hat.
To contrast her luminous ensemble, Julia opted for a striking black lipstick, while also adding dramatic winged eyeliner.
Her face make-up was also blinding, opting for almost-white foundation to match her outfit.
But dubious fashion trends have long been appearing on the Cannes red carpet – in 2015 Salma Hayek treated us to print overkill in a dress that showcased a myriad of patterns in a dizzying combination of animal and floral prints.
Over recent years, Cannes has arguably won more attention for the outfits worn by its celebrity guests than the roster of feature films being screened on the Croisette.
But last year, new nudity rules, devised for ‘the sake of decency,’ were implemented at the festival.
According to organisers, the austere move was an attempt to stifle the celebrity trend for ‘naked dresses’ – namely provocative outfits that reveal considerably more than they conceal – on the red carpet.
‘For decency reasons, nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as any other area of the festival,’ stated a Cannes festival document.
Coco Rocha sported a figure-hugging black dress and a dramatic feathered headpiece in May 2023
Frederique Bel missed the mark two years ago when she arrived on the red carpet in a sheer dress with only gold and silver panels to hide her modesty
Actress Araya Hargate was another star who missed the mark. The celeb arrived on the red carpet in a see-through red dress with stiped tights for the Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny premiere
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made sure all eyes were on her when she donned this statement silver dress with an oversized hood in 2023
German star Lilly Krug turned heads in this Grecian-style white-and-peach maxi dress with statement sleeves
Social media star Tim Schaecker broke away from tradition and donned a daring purple three-piece suit during the 76th annual Cannes film festival
‘The festival welcoming teams will be obligated to prohibit red carpet access to anyone not respecting these rules.’
It’s understood that the iconic venue now adopts a more conservative dress code, with suits, dinner jackets and floor-length evening gowns generally favoured over headline grabbing ensembles.
Classic little black dresses, cocktail dresses, pant-suits, dressy tops and elegant sandals, ‘with or without a heel’, will also be permitted.
While the decision to implement a more stringent policy will be a first, it is not known if French TV broadcasters, wary of airing nudity, played a role in its enforcement.
Major red carpet events, including the Cannes Film Festival, are aired in France by France Télévisions
Recently attracting more models and influencers than actors and filmmakers, the annual ceremony has seen an increase in risque red carpet fashion statements.
In 2021, American supermodel Bella Hadid bared her cleavage in a plunging black gown while attending a screening of Tre Piani (Three Floors).
She pulled a similar stunt three years later, with guests at the 2024 gala left speechless after she attended the premiere of Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice completely braless beneath a sheer brown evening dress.
