Halle Berry faced a wardrobe challenge at the Cannes Film Festival when her stunning gown was deemed too voluminous for the new dress code rules. Speaking candidly, Berry shared her disappointment but expressed her commitment to following the rules. With the ban on “large trains” and nudity, this new dress code has already shaken up the festival’s fashion scene. Find out how this rule affected Halle’s choice and what it means for the rest of Cannes’ fashion moments!

Halle Berry Reveals Cannes Film Festival’s New Dress Code Led to Last-Minute Change in Red Carpet Look

Halle Berry, the celebrated actress and jury member of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, made headlines not only for her role in the festival but also for her wardrobe change caused by the festival’s newly implemented dress code. Just before the highly anticipated opening night gala, the actress revealed that her original gown could no longer be worn due to the new guidelines, which prohibit both nudity and “voluminous outfits.”

The Cannes Film Festival, known for its glitzy and extravagant red carpet moments, caused a stir when it introduced these new dress code regulations. The festival’s FAQ now states that “nudity is prohibited on the red carpet and in any other area of the festival,” citing “decency reasons.” In addition to the ban on nudity, the new rules also target “voluminous outfits,” particularly those with large trains that could hinder the smooth flow of traffic and complicate seating arrangements during screenings.

A Fashion Setback for Halle Berry

Berry, 58, had been set to wear a stunning gown by Indian designer Gaurav Gupta for the event, but the dress’s large train made it a violation of the new rules. “I had an amazing dress by Gaurav Gupta that I cannot wear tonight because it’s too big of a train,” Berry told Variety ahead of the opening night gala. Despite her initial disappointment, Berry made it clear that she would respect the new guidelines, which she sees as a positive move. “I’m not going to break the rules. The nudity part is also probably a good rule,” she added.

Berry’s last-minute wardrobe change emphasizes the impact of the new rules, which have already claimed their first victim, even before the official start of the festival.

The Dress Code Shakeup: What’s Allowed and What’s Not

The new rules have already sparked debates among fashion lovers and celebrities. The updated dress code was designed to maintain order while preserving the festival’s elegant atmosphere. The rules specify that attendees can wear “a little black dress, a cocktail dress, a dark-colored pantsuit, or a black or navy blue suit with a bow tie or dark-colored tie.” Shoes must be elegant, and sandals are permitted, but sneakers are strictly prohibited.

The dress code’s most controversial aspect remains the ban on voluminous gowns, particularly those with long trains. This rule aims to prevent traffic disruptions on the red carpet and to make seating arrangements smoother during screenings. Though the festival has yet to define precisely how large a dress train can be before it becomes problematic, the ambiguity is causing confusion among attendees and their stylists.

Berry’s Cannes Looks: A Balanced Approach

Though Berry was unable to wear her planned gown, she managed to impress with her alternate outfits for the festival. On May 12, she arrived for a dinner with fellow jury members in an elegant all-black ensemble consisting of a black fringe top, tailored black trousers, and pointed black heels. For her jury photocall on May 13, she opted for a coordinating black jacket and ruffled skirt set, paired with Chanel heels. These stylish and sophisticated looks allowed Berry to make her mark while adhering to the festival’s updated dress code.

Berry’s style evolution throughout the festival highlights her ability to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining her status as a fashion icon. The actress, known for her bold sartorial choices, was undeterred by the restrictions placed on her at Cannes.

The Met Gala and Cannes: Fashion Beyond the Rules

Berry’s wardrobe dilemmas at Cannes come just days after her standout appearance at the 2025 Met Gala. The actress returned to the iconic event after a seven-year hiatus, donning a daring custom gown by LaQuan Smith. The skin-baring design featured plunging details and sequined stripes, capturing the essence of “sexy Bond girl meets Harlem Renaissance.” Smith’s design, which Berry described as “sharp tailoring with exaggerated shoulders,” reflected the actress’s fearless fashion sensibility.

While the Met Gala is known for its avant-garde, boundary-pushing styles, Cannes has always been more traditional when it comes to dress codes. The new rules reflect a shift in the festival’s approach, with organizers striving to ensure that decorum is maintained without stifling creativity entirely.

Fashion and Feminism: The Ongoing Debate

The introduction of these strict dress code guidelines raises larger questions about gender and fashion, especially for women in the public eye. In past years, women at Cannes have pushed back against strict rules, with notable figures like Kristen Stewart and Julia Roberts making headlines for refusing to wear heels or walking barefoot on the red carpet. Berry’s wardrobe dilemma adds a new layer to this ongoing debate about how women should present themselves in the context of public events and whether the fashion industry’s standards are too rigid.

The back of Halle Berry’s striped dress at Cannes Film Festival

The ban on voluminous dresses may also be seen as a way to curb excess, but for many critics, it raises concerns about who gets to decide what is “too much.” If extravagant dresses are considered a distraction, what happens to the women who use fashion as a form of expression? And when should women’s bodies and clothing choices be subject to scrutiny? These questions continue to challenge the very concept of personal freedom and artistic expression in the world of high fashion.

Conclusion: The Tension Between Tradition and Innovation

The Cannes Film Festival has long been an event where fashion meets celebrity, and its red carpet is considered one of the most glamorous showcases in the world. The new dress code reflects an attempt to balance tradition with practicality, but it has also highlighted the complex tension between artistic freedom and the need for order.

For Halle Berry, the last-minute wardrobe change was just one small hiccup in what is sure to be an exciting festival. While she may not have been able to wear the dress she had originally planned, her adaptability and grace in the face of these new rules show that, at Cannes, it’s not just the gowns that make a statement—it’s how the wearer responds to the challenges that come with them. As the festival continues, it will be interesting to see how other celebrities navigate the evolving dress code and whether the changes will become a permanent fixture in future years.