Offbeat Denim Is the Cannes Film Festival’s Most Unexpected Trend

When you think of the annual Cannes Film Festival, which is currently well underway in France, you likely think of glamorous gowns and sleek suits. While there’s been more than enough of that this year, a handful of stars have eschewed the formal feel of the festival and instead rocked jeans. The quirky, offbeat denim that celebrities have chosen to complete their looks, whether it’s a head-to-toe Canadian tuxedo or a pair of luxurious jorts, has become an unexpected breakout trend of the festival.

One of the first A-listers to pull off this look was Elle Fanning, when she stepped out last week wearing a long, black sheer dress and evening coat over jeans. Her styling approach instantly made a classic pair of blue jeans feel elevated and party-ready. Marion Cotillard also redefined the short suit when she wore Chanel’s pink and green cardigan over a pair of spray-painted jorts. Yes, jorts at Cannes! Her pair even had a luxe “CC” button.

Maya Hawke, meanwhile, wore a custom Schiaparelli Canadian tuxedo for her Asteroid City photocall. The look included a puff-shouldered jacket and high-waisted trousers, both punctuated with huge golden buttons, which made the dark blue denim feel more dressy. Another fan of double denim? French singer Juliette Armanet, who attended the Rosalie photo call in a white and purple tie-dyed denim set.

While these ensembles have certainly been unanticipated given the highly-glamorous feel of Cannes, it’s not totally off-base. Jeans are a French girl essential, after all, so perhaps these attendees have been paying homage to the country’s style signatures in their own way. You heard it here first: Jeans can be red carpet-worthy.

Below, more denim moments from Cannes.