The Cannes Film Festival has totally transformed into this massive fashion playground where celebrities are serving looks that literally break the internet. Forget everything you thought you knew about stuffy red carpet fashion - this year's street style was absolutely incredible, and the best part? You can actually recreate most of these looks without selling a kidney.
I spent way too much time scrolling through every single street style photo from Cannes 2025, and honestly, I'm obsessed. These celebrities weren't just throwing on whatever - they were clearly thinking about their off-duty looks just as much as their formal gowns. And thank goodness for that, because we got some seriously amazing inspiration that actually makes sense for real life.
Whether you're into that Y2K revival everyone's talking about, the whole coastal grandmother thing, or you just want to look effortlessly chic without trying too hard, this year's festival had something for literally everyone. So grab your coffee and let's dive into the best street style moments and figure out exactly how to steal these looks without breaking the bank.
Why This Year's Cannes Street Style Was Different
Here's the thing - social media completely changed the game this year. Celebrities knew their casual coffee run photos would get just as many likes as their red carpet shots, so they brought their absolute A-game to every single outfit. We're talking about looks that went viral within hours of being posted.
What really stood out to me was how much more accessible everything felt. Instead of those custom couture pieces that cost more than most people's rent, we saw celebrities mixing high-end pieces with stuff you could literally find at Target. Emma Stone wearing vintage Levi's with a designer blazer? Timothée Chalamet mixing thrift finds with luxury accessories? That's the kind of styling that actually makes sense for regular people.
The sustainability angle was huge too. So many celebrities were clearly shopping their own closets or hitting up vintage stores, which honestly made their outfits way more interesting than if they'd just worn head-to-toe designer everything.
The Looks Everyone's Still Talking About
That Tennis Core Moment Everyone Copied
Okay, so remember when literally half of Hollywood showed up looking like they just stepped off a tennis court? Pleated mini skirts, cropped cardigans, pristine white sneakers - the whole preppy thing was everywhere, and I'm not mad about it.
If you want to recreate this look without spending a fortune, here's what actually works: grab a pleated skirt from Brandy Melville or Urban Outfitters (they're like $30- and look way more expensive), pair it with any cropped cardigan from H&M or Zara, and throw on some white sneakers. The key is keeping everything super clean and crisp - iron that skirt, keep those sneakers spotless, and add some gold jewelry to make it look more expensive.
Y2K Came Back Hard
I thought the whole Y2K thing was just a TikTok trend, but Cannes proved it's here to stay. Low-rise everything, butterfly clips, chunky highlights, tinted sunglasses - it was like all over again, but somehow better.
The best part about recreating Y2K looks is that you can find most of this stuff at thrift stores or super cheap online. Cargo pants from Shein, baby tees from literally anywhere, chunky platform sandals (Steve Madden has tons of good dupes), and butterfly hair clips from the dollar store. Seriously, this whole look can cost you less than $ if you shop smart.
French Girl Chic Done Right
There's something about that effortless French girl aesthetic that just works every single time. This year at Cannes, we saw tons of celebrities nailing that "I just threw this on but somehow look incredible" vibe - oversized white button-downs, perfectly imperfect hair, minimal makeup, the works.
The secret to this look is actually in the details. Get an oversized white shirt from Uniqlo (they're like $ and the quality is amazing), pair it with straight-leg jeans, add a woven basket bag, some gold hoops, and comfortable loafers. The magic happens in how you wear it - roll your sleeves imperfectly, leave a few buttons undone, mess up your hair just right. It's all about looking undone in the most intentional way possible.
Dopamine Dressing Explosion
If you've been following fashion trends lately, you know dopamine dressing has been huge, and Cannes took it to the next level. Celebrities were mixing neon brights and clashing patterns like it was nobody's business, and somehow it all worked perfectly.
The trick to pulling off this look is having one color that appears in multiple pieces, then adding two contrasting colors. It makes the whole outfit look intentional instead of like you got dressed in the dark. Thrift stores are actually goldmines for colorful blazers and patterned pieces, and you can usually put together an entire dopamine dressing outfit for under $80.
Your Shopping Strategy That Actually Works
Let's be real - most of us aren't working with celebrity budgets, but that doesn't mean we can't look just as good. I've figured out some strategies that actually work for recreating these high-end looks without going into debt.
First, start with the apps. Shein gets a lot of hate, but their basics are actually pretty decent for the price. ASOS has higher quality dupes that last longer. Zara is still the queen of affordable designer-inspired pieces. H&M always has trendy collaborations. And Urban Outfitters is perfect when you're hunting for vintage-inspired finds.
Thrift shopping is where the real magic happens though. Before you go, take screenshots of the looks you want to recreate and make a list of specific pieces. Bring a measuring tape because vintage sizing is completely unpredictable. Focus on blazers (easy to tailor), vintage denim (they literally don't make them like they used to), leather goods (they age better than new stuff), and statement jewelry.
For online shopping, get yourself some browser extensions that save money. Honey automatically finds coupon codes, Capital One Shopping compares prices across sites, and InvisibleHand sends deal alerts. Shop end-of-season clearances, holiday weekends, and January sales when everyone's broke and the discounts are real.
Styling Tricks That Cost Nothing
Here's where things get fun - you can completely transform basic pieces with the right styling tricks, and most of them don't cost anything extra.
Layering is everything. Try the thirds rule - layer three different lengths like a cropped cardigan, medium-length top, and longer bottom piece. Mix textures too - silk camisole under a chunky knit, leather jacket over a flowy dress. It creates visual interest without looking like you tried too hard.
A good belt can make any outfit look more expensive. Cinch oversized pieces, define your waist, wear it over blazers for that editorial vibe. And scarves are like magic - one silk scarf can be a headband, a belt, a bag accessory, or even a top if you tie it creatively.
For hair and makeup, less is definitely more. Apply texturizing spray to damp hair, scrunch it while air-drying, then run your fingers through it for that "I woke up like this" texture. For makeup, stick to tinted moisturizer instead of foundation, cream blush for a natural flush, clear lip balm, and mascara only on upper lashes.
DIY Upgrades That Look Professional
Sometimes the difference between looking basic and looking stylish is just a few small tweaks. You can customize your jeans by adding patches, distressing them strategically with sandpaper, or creating a bleach splatter effect. Transform plain tees by cropping them yourself, adding a subtle tie at the waist, or just changing how you tuck them in.
Quick tailoring tricks can make cheap clothes look expensive. Use fashion tape to hem pants temporarily, roll and pin sleeves to find your perfect length, or use small safety pins on the inside to take in waists. It's amazing how much difference these tiny adjustments can make.
Making It All Work for You
The real secret to nailing Cannes street style isn't about copying looks exactly - it's about understanding what makes them work and adapting those elements to fit your actual life. The confidence those celebrities have comes from wearing clothes that make them feel amazing, not from price tags.
Start small and build strategically. Pick one look that speaks to your personal style, then hunt for budget alternatives piece by piece. Screenshot your favorites, audit what you already own, make a shopping list focusing on versatile basics, set a monthly budget, and practice styling tricks with what you have right now.
The most stylish people aren't the ones spending the most money - they're the ones who know how to make everything they wear look intentional and effortless. Trust me, with the right approach, you can absolutely serve Cannes-worthy looks on any budget. The key is just knowing what to look for and how to put it all together.
