Following 's completely sheer dress at the , the dress codes for award ceremonies have come under scrutiny. are renowned for being more than just an evening of sparkle and glamour. After all, the Oscars aim to recognise some of the most prominent figures in film based on artistic and technical merit. Decisions made by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are widely regarded as one of the most prestigious honours in the industry.

Consequently, celebrities usually dress to impress for the grand occasion. While Bianca and 's little escapade took place at the music industry's Grammy Awards, the Oscars might not be immune from imitators, so it's beneficial to understand the rules before the night commences. In 2021, show producers Steven Soderbergh, Stacey Sher, and Jesse Collins felt compelled to provide guidance on COVID-19 restrictions as the event took place during the pandemic, reports .

However, the leaked memo also offered some insight into the fashion expectations for the stars. The email encouraged attendees to strive for "Inspirational and Aspirational," adding: "In actual words, formal is totally cool if you want to go there, but casual is really not."

Nonetheless, the more official "white tie" dress code has its roots in tradition, with official guidance written in 1968 for the 40th Academy Awards.

In a statement, the organisers specified that "actresses are expected to wear formal evening gowns either maxi or floor length, preferably in pastel shades as the setting is very formal and entirely in white and gold."

They further stated that longer dresses were preferred to uphold the "dignity of this traditional affair" and mini or day-length dresses were not allowed.

Interestingly, there was a clear distinction made between genders, a point which could be considered controversial in today's society. They stated: "Men are expected to wear white tie with conventional formal evening accessories."

This dress code was seemingly reaffirmed in 2015 when the Academy reposted it on their website in a blog post. However, adherence to these guidelines has been inconsistent, and celebrities are rarely prevented from attending if they don't comply with these somewhat vague and arbitrary rules.

For instance, Kristen Stewart famously showed some leg on the red carpet in 2022. Despite facing some public criticism, she was able to attend the main event without any issues.

Similarly, Billy Porter challenged gender norms by choosing to wear a skirt with his suit jacket at the 2019 event.

As of now, the Academy did not issue an official dress code for 2025.