CANNES — If you’re lucky enough to walk the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, make sure you stick to the dress code.

Invites to the premiere of the Australian film “The Sapphires” stipulated “tuxedo” and “evening dress,” and the fashion police were out in full force: Guests who showed up wearing neck ties instead of oh-so-fancy bow ties were slugged with fines.

Luckily, the fines were under $20, and the neck tie-wearers were still allowed in.

“I wanted to wear an ordinary tie and then somebody said ‘No, they’ve changed the rules, it’s all back to bow tie now,’” lamented confused actor Guy Pearce, who wore a full tux. — AFP