The 2026 Emmy Awards delivered much more than television’s biggest wins. When the stars arrived at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 14, the red carpet quickly became a fashion story of its own.
This year’s looks leaned into old-Hollywood glamour, flowing silhouettes, sparkling details, and a noticeable return to the elegance of the 1920s. Soft, bias-cut gowns appeared throughout the evening, while the men moved beyond traditional black-tie dressing with richer colors, sharper tailoring, and unexpected details.
From Zendaya’s delicate Prada gown to Colman Domingo’s bold Valentino look, these were the 12 best-dressed celebrities at the 2026 Emmys, ranked for their style, craftsmanship, and overall red-carpet impact.
1. Zendaya in Prada
Zendaya once again proved why she remains one of the most closely watched stars on any red carpet.
She arrived in a custom Prada gown built around sheer grey tulle and carefully placed embellishments. The dress created a soft, almost ethereal effect without losing its dramatic quality.
Her Mikimoto pearl jewelry was an especially strong finishing touch. The neutral palette allowed the pearls and delicate construction of the dress to stand out rather than compete with one another.
The result was elegant, modern, and unmistakably Zendaya.
2. Nicole Kidman in Chanel
Image placement: Nicole Kidman arriving at the 2026 Emmys
Alt text: Nicole Kidman wearing a white Chanel dress at the 2026 Emmy Awards
Nicole Kidman chose a very different kind of glamour, proving that a restrained color palette can still make a major statement.
Her custom white Chanel dress, designed by Mathieu Blazy, featured a bustier silhouette decorated with 46 individual flowers. The floral details were created from layered silk crepe, silk organza, and raffia in different shades of white.
The craftsmanship gave the otherwise clean gown plenty of visual interest. Kidman’s look felt sophisticated rather than overly complicated, making it one of the night’s most memorable appearances.
3. Colman Domingo in Valentino
Colman Domingo brought some much-needed color to the men’s red-carpet lineup.
His custom Valentino ensemble featured a sunset-orange mandarin-collar jacket, a coral shirt, tailored white trousers, and a striking fuchsia sash around the waist. A diamond brooch and Omega watch added another layer of polish.
The look worked because every element had a purpose. Instead of relying on a conventional tuxedo, Domingo used color and tailoring to create something that felt formal while still showing plenty of personality.
4. Sarah Pidgeon in Chanel
Sarah Pidgeon embraced romantic glamour in a lavender Chanel gown.
The liquid-silk dress featured a softly draped cowl neckline, while intertwined gold and silver chains, crystals, beads, and pearls added intricate decoration around the neckline.
It was a major departure from the minimalist style often associated with the 1990s, instead leaning into the softer, more decorative mood that defined much of this year’s red carpet.
The combination of lavender silk and metallic detailing looked graceful, almost vintage.
5. Joy Sunday in Dior
Joy Sunday made her first Emmy nomination especially memorable with a custom Dior gown designed by Jonathan Anderson.
The white dress drew heavily from 1920s fashion, with a loose silhouette, a drop waist, and intricate Art Deco-inspired beading. Rather than following the body-hugging evening-gown trend, the design relied on movement and decorative detail.
That flapper influence fitted perfectly with the nostalgic mood seen across the Emmy red carpet.
6. Mariska Hargitay in Monse
As the evening’s host, Mariska Hargitay had plenty of opportunities to make a fashion statement—and she did exactly that.
Her fire-engine-red Monse gown paid tribute to her mother, Hollywood star Jayne Mansfield, and the famous red dress Mansfield wore in the 1956 film The Girl Can’t Help It.
Covered in sequins and featuring a dramatic asymmetric train, the gown had plenty of movement. The flamenco-inspired shape made the dress even more theatrical, while the personal connection gave it a deeper meaning than a typical red-carpet outfit.
7. Selena Gomez in Louis Vuitton
Selena Gomez went for full-on glamour in a gold Louis Vuitton gown that immediately stood apart from the softer gowns around her.
The metallic, armor-inspired design gave her appearance a sculptural quality, while Tiffany & Co. jewelry added sparkle without overwhelming the dress.
Her Bird on a Rock jewelry included feather earrings, a bracelet, and a ring, creating a cohesive look built around shine and texture.
It was one of the evening’s more dramatic fashion choices—and one of the most visually distinctive.
8. Florence Pugh in Vivienne Westwood
Florence Pugh took a more whimsical approach to formal dressing.
Her custom Vivienne Westwood gown combined a draped corset with blush-colored sequins, a lilac tulle layer, and a shoulder detail designed to resemble wings.
The construction gave the gown a fantasy-like quality while the corseted shape kept it grounded in classic eveningwear.
It was playful without looking like a costume, which helped Pugh stand out among the night’s more traditional gowns.
9. Elle Fanning in Ralph Lauren
Elle Fanning kept things elegant and refined in a custom Ralph Lauren Collection gown.
The evening dress was made from embroidered silk chiffon in a rich jade shade. The color immediately caught attention, while the delicate embroidery gave the otherwise streamlined design additional texture.
Fanning completed the look with Cartier jewelry, keeping the accessories polished and sophisticated.
Sometimes a red-carpet look doesn’t need an elaborate silhouette to make an impression. Fanning’s appearance was a strong example of how color, fabric, and proportion can do the work.
10. Claire Danes in Giorgio Armani Privé
Claire Danes brought a more architectural approach to the red carpet.
Her one-shoulder Giorgio Armani Privé gown was made from flowing platinum silk satin and featured micro-crystal embroidery within the lining.
The dress came from the brand’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection and balanced a sculptural shape with soft fabric.
The platinum tone also allowed the crystal detailing to catch the light without making the outfit feel excessively sparkly.
11. Rachel Sennott in Balenciaga
Rachel Sennott wasn’t afraid to make a statement.
The I Love LA star arrived with a new blonde hairstyle and a custom Balenciaga gown in deep fuchsia. The dress featured a dramatic draped bust, an exaggerated silky shape, and a floor-length cape extending from the shoulders.
Its sheer fabric and oversized silhouette looked deliberately dramatic.
Compared with the more traditional gowns on the carpet, Sennott’s appearance felt bold and fashion-forward.
12. Dan Levy in Celine
Dan Levy showed that men’s red-carpet fashion can be memorable without relying on bright colors.
His Celine tuxedo featured oversized lapels and sharp shoulders, giving the classic black-tie formula a modern shape.
The difference was in the proportions. Rather than simply wearing another traditional tuxedo, Levy used exaggerated tailoring to create a stronger silhouette.
It was a subtle choice, but that restraint made the look particularly effective.
What Defined the 2026 Emmys Red Carpet?
Looking across the night’s strongest looks, one trend was impossible to miss: old-school glamour made a comeback.
Flowing fabrics, soft silhouettes, pearls, Art Deco-inspired decoration, and vintage references appeared repeatedly. The 1920s influence was particularly noticeable in gowns from Sarah Pidgeon and Joy Sunday, while other stars interpreted glamour through modern tailoring and sculptural designs.
Men’s fashion was also less predictable. Colman Domingo used bold color, while Dan Levy relied on exaggerated tailoring and Noah Wyle opted for a refined combination of beige and black.
The result was a red carpet that felt nostalgic without becoming completely retro.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Emmy Awards delivered a strong mix of classic Hollywood elegance and modern red-carpet experimentation. Zendaya’s Prada gown and Nicole Kidman’s Chanel look represented polished sophistication, while Colman Domingo and Rachel Sennott showed how color and personality can transform formalwear.
What made this year’s fashion especially interesting was the variety. There wasn’t just one winning formula. Some stars went romantic, others dramatic, and several looked toward the glamour of decades past.
But if one style lesson stands out from the 2026 Emmys, it’s that great red-carpet fashion is less about following one trend and more about making a carefully chosen look feel personal.