Come As You Are
In a refreshingly straightforward update, the BFI London Film Festival has made its position on red carpet fashion clear: there is no formal dress code. The festival's official guidance for its high-profile Gala premieres explicitly states, 'just come
in whatever's comfortable or dress to the nines if you feel like it'. This isn't just a minor tweak; it's a foundational shift. By officially sanctioning comfort, the BFI is dismantling a long-held, unwritten rule that has governed formal events for decades, particularly for women. It tells actors, filmmakers, and festival-goers that their presence is more important than their choice of footwear.
A History of Heel Rebellion
The BFI's move doesn't exist in a vacuum. It's the latest chapter in a long story of red carpet rebellion. The most notorious battleground has been the Cannes Film Festival, which faced a major backlash in 2015 after women were reportedly turned away from a premiere for wearing flat shoes. Though festival director Thierry Frémaux denied an official 'heels-only' policy existed, the incident, dubbed 'Flatgate', sparked a fierce debate about sexist dress codes. In the years that followed, stars used the Cannes red carpet for subtle and not-so-subtle protests. Julia Roberts famously went entirely barefoot in 2016, and Kristen Stewart made a habit of kicking off her Christian Louboutins in front of photographers, a clear statement against the painful expectations of high-fashion glamour.
More Than Just Comfort
While the immediate benefit is physical relief, the permission to wear comfortable shoes is symbolic of a larger cultural shift. It challenges the narrow, often gendered, definition of what 'formal' and 'glamorous' mean. For years, the red carpet has been a place of performative, and often excruciating, elegance. This new approach acknowledges that a film festival is ultimately a professional environment. Directors, writers, and journalists are there to work, and the ability to navigate long days and crowded venues in practical footwear is a legitimate need, not a fashion faux pas.
Will Hollywood Follow Suit?
London's progressive stance puts it in contrast to more traditionally rigid events like the Academy Awards or the Met Gala, where sartorial rules, though often unstated, are strictly enforced. The BFI's relaxed code seems to be having an immediate effect, with recent red carpets showcasing a wider range of styles. Actor Alexander Skarsgård recently made headlines for wearing transparent Saint Laurent oxfords, a bold and unconventional choice. While a man's choice to wear eccentric dress shoes is different from a woman's freedom to abandon heels, it points to a broader spirit of playfulness and individuality. The question now is whether this London sensibility will ripple across the Atlantic, encouraging other major awards bodies to finally let their attendees—and their feet—breathe a little easier.
