Top 5 Off-Duty style moments from the 2026 Cannes Film Festival

The Cannes Film Festival has long been regarded as the ultimate stage for unforgettable fashion moments. On the red carpet, every detail is meticulously orchestrated from the dress and jewelry to the hairstyle, makeup, and even the pose itself. Red carpet appearances therefore remain the most anticipated spectacle, where celebrities arrive in looks designed to be glamorous, dramatic, and instantly iconic.

Yet once the stars step away from the spotlight, their style becomes fascinating in an entirely different way. Free from the pressure of delivering a “best dressed” moment, their everyday outfits reveal a more relaxed and effortless approach to fashion. It is precisely in these off-duty moments that true style becomes evident. When a celebrity can still command presence in simple clothing, it speaks volumes about their personal aesthetic. In many ways, fashion beyond the red carpet can be just as captivating.

This year, stars leaned toward practicality, comfort, while enjoying the luxury vacation spirit associated with the South of France. Here, Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam rounds up the five best off-duty looks from 2026 Cannes Film Festival through a fashion editor’s lens.

Top 5 Off-Duty style moments from the 2026 Cannes Film Festival

1. Kelly Prehn: Fringe and refined Bohemian Glamour

Kelly Prehn delivered one of the most memorable off-duty looks at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. In contrast to the high-glamour image often associated with the red carpet, the British fashion insider embraced a more relaxed direction during her time on the Riviera. She chose a bohemian-inspired fringed dress that moved fluidly with every step, capturing a sense of freedom and understated glamour against the sunlit Cannes backdrop.

As a model, editor, and long-time figure within the international fashion industry, Kelly brought an instinctive understanding of proportion and styling to the look. Nothing about the outfit felt forced or excessively curated. Pointed chocolate-brown heels and burgundy-tinted sunglasses added a subtle 1970s influence, while maintaining the elegance expected at Cannes.

What made the ensemble stand out was its quiet confidence. Instead of relying on theatrical silhouettes or heavy embellishment, Kelly leaned into a softer interpretation of luxury dressing: polished, relaxed, and deeply personal. The result embodied the kind of off-duty sophistication that often leaves a stronger impression than a traditional red carpet appearance.

2. Barbara Sprouse: The ease of the modern “Hot Mom”

Barbara Sprouse became one of the most talked-about figures at 2026 Cannes Film Festival thanks to her curve-accentuating maternity looks on the red carpet. Off-duty, however, she shifted toward an entirely different aesthetic. Barbara wore black cropped trousers layered with a plaid shirt, a navy top, and a taupe cropped trench coat.

What made the outfit particularly interesting was how subtly it concealed her baby bump. Rather than turning pregnancy into a visual statement, Barbara prioritized comfort while maintaining a polished sense of style. The layered styling felt especially suited to Cannes during early mornings and late afternoons, when the coastal air becomes cooler. The cropped trench coat was also a smart choice, creating a cleaner and more streamlined silhouette than a traditional long trench while preserving the effortless elegance associated with French Riviera dressing.

3. Simone Ashley: The Slip Dress remains an unbeatable summer formula

Simone Ashley embodied the quintessential “Cannes girl” aesthetic in a cream slip dress with softly blurred prints, paired with delicate strappy sandals. The look recalled the golden era of 1990s resort dressing, when Hollywood actresses would appear in the South of France wearing sleek spaghetti-strap dresses with naturally tousled hair and understated glamour. Simone preserved that nostalgic spirit while refreshing it through a shorter, more youthful silhouette.

The strength of the outfit lay in the fluidity of the fabric. Cannes in May remains pleasantly mild with abundant sunshine, making lightweight, body-skimming silhouettes far more appropriate than rigid tailoring or heavy bodycon dresses. It is the kind of outfit that transitions effortlessly from a luxury hotel to a beach club, then onward to an evening cocktail gathering without ever feeling out of place.

4. Izabel Goulart: The perfect coastal town outfit for going out and about Cannes

Few people understand resortwear better than Izabel Goulart. The oversized white suit she wore in Cannes was almost a blueprint for daytime dressing in this coastal city. Beneath the relaxed white blazer, she paired a minimalist bra top with matching wide-leg trousers. The formula works perfectly in Cannes because it reflects the city’s rhythm so naturally: remove the blazer to enjoy the seaside sun or a beachfront bar, then throw it back on to instantly feel polished enough for a fashion event or meeting.

The oversized silhouette also aligned perfectly with the modern resortwear movement. In recent years, luxury vacation dressing has increasingly prioritized comfort and freedom of movement over overly restrictive silhouettes. Still, relaxed tailoring does not mean careless styling. Izabel kept the look sharp through a clean monochromatic palette, precise tailoring, and a black handbag that added just the right amount of contrast. The result was a clear expression of quiet luxury.

5. Kenya Jones: Cannes does not always need drama

Ảnh: IMAXtree

While Kenya Jones appeared on the red carpet in ultra-feminine, princess-like silhouettes, her off-duty wardrobe completely challenged the idea that Cannes dressing must remain extravagant around the clock. A fitted black elbow-sleeve T-shirt paired with light-wash jeans may sound almost too basic, yet that restraint became the outfit’s greatest strength. Kenya clearly understands the essence of Riviera dressing: the best summer fashion rarely looks overworked.

Ảnh: Jacopo Raule/GC Images

A cream shoulder bag with on-trend sleek straps softened the overall look, while oversized black sunglasses preserved just enough “movie star energy.” It was exactly the kind of outfit suited to Cannes, where people move constantly between hotels, yachts, beach clubs, and spontaneous social gatherings. In that environment, an overly complicated outfit can sometimes feel disconnected from reality. The most compelling aspect of this look was its natural ease. Kenya Jones proved that modern elegance often lies in making the simplest pieces appear effortlessly luxurious.

Harper’s Bazaar Việt Nam