The Best-Dressed Stars at the 2026 Emmy Awards

Published: September 15, 2026 Last Updated 59 minutes ago by Esther Ejoh

The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards delivered one of the most talked-about red carpets of the 2026 awards season, with television’s biggest stars stepping out in gowns, tailoring, crystals, metallics and bold colour.

Held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 14, the ceremony was hosted by Mariska Hargitay and formed part of NBC’s 100th-birthday celebrations.

While New York Fashion Week was unfolding at the same time, the best-dressed stars at the 2026 Emmy Awards offered a different kind of fashion conversation.

The runway is where designers introduce what comes next; the red carpet is where those ideas meet real personalities, cameras and global audiences. This year’s Emmys made that distinction particularly clear, with celebrities choosing looks that felt personal rather than simply following a single trend.

The blue carpet became a backdrop for an impressive mix of crystal-covered gowns, liquid metallics, rich reds, soft pastels, dramatic black dresses and inventive menswear.

Zendaya once again generated major fashion attention in Prada, while Selena Gomez channelled the Emmy statuette in gold Louis Vuitton. Nicole Kidman and Ayo Edebiri represented Chanel, Elle Fanning brought softness in Ralph Lauren, and Colman Domingo continued his run of memorable red-carpet tailoring. 

The result was a red carpet with plenty of range. Some stars went all in on spectacle, while others relied on precise tailoring, restrained colour and strong silhouettes.

Here are the best-dressed stars at the 2026 Emmy Awards and the looks that made the biggest impression.

Zendaya had one of the most anticipated appearances of the evening, and she delivered one of the strongest fashion moments of the night in a custom Prada gown styled by Law Roach.

The crystal-covered design featured a sheer, nude-toned foundation that allowed the embellishments to appear almost suspended across the body.

The gown played with transparency without allowing the detailing to overpower the silhouette. A plunging neckline and subtle train added drama, while the crystal work caught the light with every movement.

She completed the look with Mikimoto jewellery and a short pixie hairstyle that kept attention on the neckline and structure of the dress.

Zendaya’s appearance is a strong example of why she remains a regular name on lists of the best-dressed stars at the 2026 Emmy Awards. Her red-carpet choices tend to have a clear point of view. Rather than simply selecting an elaborate gown, she and Roach usually build an entire visual story around the moment.

Selena Gomez took a very different approach, choosing a strapless Louis Vuitton gown covered in gold sequins.

The dress immediately recalled the shape and colour of the Emmy statuette, making it one of the evening’s most recognisable fashion choices. 

The column silhouette kept the focus on the metallic surface, allowing the gold fabric to do most of the work.

Instead of piling on accessories, Gomez kept the jewellery relatively simple, wearing Tiffany & Co. diamond earrings and styling her hair in long, soft waves.

The decision worked because the gown had a clear visual idea. Gold can easily become overwhelming, particularly under red-carpet lighting, but the streamlined cut gave Gomez’s look a sense of control.

Among the best-dressed stars at the 2026 Emmy Awards, Selena Gomez stood out for understanding the occasion. Her dress was glamorous, immediately connected to the awards themselves and distinctive enough to be remembered after the ceremony.

Ayo Edebiri brought one of the night’s most interesting colour combinations to the Emmy red carpet in Chanel. Her look featured icy periwinkle fabric, cascading ruffles and draping, contrasted with a strong red sash and oversized bow detail.

The combination of cool blue and vivid red gave the gown an unusual energy. Rather than relying entirely on sparkle or sheer fabric, the dress created impact through colour, volume and construction.

Edebiri has developed a reputation for making thoughtful red-carpet choices, and this Chanel appearance continued that pattern.

She was also among the Chanel representatives receiving attention at the ceremony alongside Nicole Kidman, with Matthieu Blazy’s work receiving praise from fashion publications covering the carpet. 

Her appearance deserves a place among the best-dressed stars at the 2026 Emmy Awards because it demonstrated that a memorable awards-season look does not need to be covered in crystals. Sometimes, the right colour combination and a distinctive silhouette can make an even stronger impression.

Nicole Kidman offered a completely different interpretation of evening glamour in a custom white Chanel gown by Matthieu Blazy.

The clean design relied heavily on its silhouette and fabric rather than excessive embellishment. The structured bustier and feather detailing gave the gown texture while keeping the overall effect controlled.

Kidman’s choice was particularly striking against a carpet filled with metallics, sequins and vivid colours. White can sometimes disappear in a crowded fashion lineup, but the construction of this Chanel look gave it enough presence to stand on its own.

She demonstrated one of the central lessons from the 2026 Emmy red carpet: impact does not always require drama. A strong cut, excellent fabric and confident styling can be enough.

That approach helped place Kidman among the best-dressed stars at the 2026 Emmy Awards, with her look also appearing on several major fashion roundups from the night.

Elle Fanning brought a softer mood to the carpet in a custom seafoam or mint-green Ralph Lauren gown. The delicate colour provided a welcome contrast to the heavier metallics and darker shades seen throughout the evening.

The gown’s appeal came from its simplicity. The soft pastel shade felt romantic without becoming overly sweet, while the custom fit gave the look a polished finish.

Fanning’s choice also demonstrated the strength of tonal dressing at this year’s ceremony.

Fashion coverage of the 2026 Emmys noted the popularity of black, white, ivory and pastel shades, with soft colours becoming one of the evening’s defining visual themes.

Julia Garner continued her productive relationship with Loewe in a custom ensemble that highlighted the house’s architectural and slightly experimental approach to evening dressing.

Where many looks on the carpet relied on surface shine or color, Garner’s choice emphasized form, proportion, and modern construction. It added an intellectual edge to the evening and reinforced Loewe’s growing presence as a serious red-carpet player.

Chase Infiniti chose richness over brightness. Her beaded chocolate-brown Louis Vuitton mermaid gown offered deep color, detailed texture, and a classic mermaid silhouette that felt both glamorous and grounded.

In a night that featured abundant gold, silver, and red, the brown registered as sophisticated and unexpected. The beading caught light without the flash of sequins, creating a more subtle but still luxurious surface.

Infiniti demonstrated the range of the best-dressed stars at the 2026 Emmy Awards. The actress’s look depended on a single obvious trend. Instead, she used colour, texture and construction to create individuality.

Carey Mulligan turned to The Row for a refined blue frock that embodied quiet luxury. Clean lines, excellent fabric, and an absence of unnecessary decoration defined the look.

On a carpet filled with high-impact moments, Mulligan’s choice provided visual rest and demonstrated her consistent preference for understated elegance. It was a reminder that not every strong red carpet appearance needs to announce itself loudly.

Colman Domingo once again treated formalwear as an opportunity for invention.

His custom Valentino ensemble moved decisively away from the standard black tuxedo, incorporating robe-style or mandarin-collar elements, interesting proportions, and cream or flared trousers.

The result felt elegant, personal, and forward-looking. Domingo has become one of the most reliable sources of menswear creativity on the awards circuit, and this appearance extended that reputation with confidence and flair.

As host of the ceremony, Mariska Hargitay had to make an impression both on the carpet and on stage.

She did exactly that in a fire-engine red strapless Monse gown featuring sequins, feather-like fringe, a sweetheart neckline and an asymmetrical hem.

The look had the drama required of an awards-show host while remaining highly wearable. The bright red also created an immediate visual connection with the celebration around her.

Hargitay’s appearance was particularly significant because she became the first woman to host the Emmy telecast solo since 2011. The Television Academy confirmed her role ahead of the ceremony, which took place at the Peacock Theater as part of NBC’s centennial celebrations.

Her red Monse gown was therefore more than another awards-season outfit. It established her presence from the moment she arrived.

Sarah Pidgeon embraced a softer interpretation of Chanel in a lilac or lavender satin gown featuring embellished straps and pearl-like detailing.

The pastel shade and satin finish created a subtle 1990s influence, while the jewellery detailing gave the gown enough sparkle for the awards setting.

Her look fitted neatly into one of the night’s broader fashion stories: the return of delicate pastels and softer colours. Fashion coverage from Town & Country also highlighted the presence of early-2000s-inspired pastel dressing at the 2026 Emmys.

Michelle Pfeiffer proved that black remains one of the strongest choices on any red carpet.

Wearing Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello, Pfeiffer opted for a draped black dress that placed the emphasis on cut and fabric rather than embellishment.

While other stars competed for attention with crystals, sequins and metallic finishes, her look was controlled and confident.

It was a reminder that the best-dressed stars at the 2026 Emmy Awards were not necessarily those wearing the most elaborate outfits. Pfeiffer demonstrated how simplicity can become a statement when the tailoring and proportions are right.

Rhea Seehorn delivered another strong red-carpet moment in a cherry-red Louis Vuitton gown. The design featured a dramatic draped collar and a flowing skirt, giving the colour room to become the central feature.

Red was one of the most noticeable shades of the evening, and Seehorn’s interpretation showed why the colour continues to work so well for awards dressing.

Rather than relying on heavy embellishment, the gown used movement and shape to create drama.

Her appearance was also particularly meaningful following her Emmy win for Pluribus. Seehorn took home the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, marking a major career moment.

Grace Gummer and Louisa Jacobson offered two very different approaches to black eveningwear.

 

Gummer chose a gathered, voluminous Christian Dior gown that relied on texture and movement. Jacobson went in the opposite direction with a sharply tailored black Tom Ford suit under Haider Ackermann.

The contrast showed just how versatile black can be. One look was romantic and dramatic; the other was structured and modern.

Jacobson’s tailoring also reinforced the growing importance of women wearing suits on major red carpets. A perfectly cut tuxedo can hold its own against the most elaborate gown.

Florence Pugh brought a softer, romantic mood to the ceremony in a custom sheer lilac Vivienne Westwood gown.

The figure-skimming design featured delicate draping and an ethereal quality, while her deliberately undone 1990s-inspired updo prevented the look from becoming too polished. Bulgari jewellery, including a statement necklace, supplied the sparkle.

Pugh’s appearance was one of the more delicate fashion moments of the night. The combination of lilac, sheer fabric, loose hair and sculptural jewellery created a balance between romance and attitude.

She was also among the presenters announced by the Television Academy ahead of the ceremony.

The Bigger Fashion Story of the 2026 Emmys

Looking across the full carpet, several clear trends emerged.

Metallics were major. Selena Gomez’s gold Louis Vuitton gown and Zendaya’s crystal-covered Prada showed two very different approaches to reflective dressing.

Red remained powerful. Mariska Hargitay and Rhea Seehorn both used vivid red to create immediate impact.

Pastels returned. Lilac, lavender, mint and icy blue offered a softer alternative to the heavier embellishment seen elsewhere.

Sheer dressing evolved. Rather than simply relying on exposed skin, designers used transparency alongside crystals, draping and structured silhouettes.

Menswear became more experimental. Colman Domingo, Riz Ahmed and other male stars showed that awards dressing is moving beyond the standard tuxedo.

The overall effect was a red carpet that felt varied rather than overly coordinated. There was no single silhouette or colour that dominated everything.

Instead, the best-dressed stars at the 2026 Emmy Awards showed how different approaches can work within the same fashion moment.

The strongest red-carpet looks are rarely memorable simply because they are expensive or dramatic. They work because the clothing makes sense on the person wearing it.

Zendaya’s Prada matched her reputation for calculated fashion risks. Selena Gomez’s gold Louis Vuitton connected directly to the symbolism of the evening.

Ayo Edebiri used colour to express personality, while Nicole Kidman relied on clean construction. Colman Domingo continued to challenge traditional menswear, and Michelle Pfeiffer demonstrated the power of restraint.

That is ultimately what separated the best-dressed stars at the 2026 Emmy Awards from the rest of the carpet. The strongest looks had a point of view.

The 2026 Emmys also arrived at an interesting moment for fashion. With New York Fashion Week happening alongside the ceremony, the contrast between runway experimentation and celebrity styling was especially noticeable. The runway asks audiences to imagine the future. The red carpet asks celebrities to make those ideas work in real time.

This year’s carpet succeeded because it offered both. There were futuristic crystals, traditional gowns, nostalgic pastels, sharp suits and dramatic colour. The variety made the fashion feel personal rather than predictable.

For the full official Emmy information, including ceremony details and coverage from the Television Academy, visit the Television Academy.

Photo: Getty Images