The 20 Best Dressed Celebrities at Emmys 2026, Ranked, From Zendaya to Nicole Kidman
The 20 Best Dressed Celebrities at Emmys 2026, Ranked, From Zendaya to Nicole Kidman
Kevin HuynhTue, September 15, 2026 at 1:20 AM UTC
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The 78th Emmy Awards kicked off on September 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
From Zendaya in Prada to Sarah Pidgeon in Chanel, celebrities embraced the roaring 1920s style with unapologetic glamour on the red carpet.
The night’s best-dressed stars paid a nostalgic nod to old-school Hollywood.
New York Fashion Week may be in full swing, but the Emmy Awards red carpet delivered plenty of head-turning fashion of its own. Held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 14, the Emmys saw a parade of fabulous frocks and snazzy suits worthy of any high-fashion runway.
While the awards show may have started out as a standard, buttoned-up affair, over the years, it has evolved—along with television itself—into a must-watch prestige event with the fashion to match. Need proof? Just look at the standout styles that hit tonight’s red carpet.
Host Mariska Hargitay looked haute as ever in a fire-engine red strapless Monse gown covered in sequins and feather-like fringe that paid homage to her mother, Hollywood icon Jayne Mansfield, while lead actress nominees Zendaya and Sarah Pidgeon also exuded soft glamour in Prada and Chanel, respectively. The night’s dominant trend was silky, bias-cut gowns that recalled the roaring 1920s, a welcome departure from the overly fitted, structured gowns we’ve seen in the past. There were also plenty of stars who injected a bit of humor into their looks, with comedic actresses Megan Stalter (dressed as an actual Emmy award), Quinta Brunson, and Rachel Sennott letting their personalities shine alongside their ritzy gowns.
Elsewhere, the gents brought their sartorial A-game in smart, stylish suits that were anything but casual. Colman Domingo continued his red-carpet dominance in a sunset orange mandarin-collar jacket and white trousers from Valentino, with a pink fuchsia sash at the waistthat added a fun twist to classic menswear. Meanwhile, other Hollywood heartthrobs like Noah Wyle, Dan Levy, and Paul Anthony Kelly stuck to timeless tailoring with chic details likewide, satin lapels and generous cuts.
See ahead for our picks of the most elegant and exciting fashion moments from the 2026 Emmys red carpet.
01 of 20
Zendaya in Prada and Mikimoto jewelry
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This A-lister left us feeling absolutely euphoric when she walked the red carpet in a custom Prada dress. Transparent grey tulle created a nude illusion, while tastefully placed embellishments kept things semi-covered up. Bold Mikimoto pearls complemented the ensemble’s elegant, neutral color palette.
02 of 20
Nicole Kidman in Chanel
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Kidman brought magic to the Emmys red carpet in a wool crepe white bustier dress custom-designed by Mathieu Blazy of Chanel. Embellished with 46 flowers made of layered pieces of silk crepe, silk organza, and raffia, all in a palette of subtle whites. She accessorized with the brand’s fine jewelry.
03 of 20
Colman Domingo in Valentino
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Leave it to Domingo to ace the red carpet. The actor wore a custom look from Valentino that included a sunset orange mandarin-collar jacket with frog closures worn over a coral-colored shirt, tailored white trousers, and a pink fuchsia sash fixed at the waist with a brilliant diamond brooch. An Omega timepiece added a sparkly finishing touch.
04 of 20
Sarah Pidgeon
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The Love Story star shed her ‘90s minimalist uniform for something much more romantic. The Chanel ambassador wore a lavender, liquid-silk gown from the brand, featuring a beautifully draped cowl neckline adorned with a cascade of intertwined gold and silver chains with crystals, gold beads, and white and lilac pearls.
05 of 20
Joy Sunday in Dior
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Celebrating her first Emmy nomination, DTF St. Louis actress Sunday wore custom Dior. Designed by Jonathan Anderson, the white flapper-inspired gown featured all the hallmarks of the roaring ‘20s, from the loose fit and Art Deco beading to the drop waist that gave way to a beautifully beaded skirt.
06 of 20
Mariska Hargitay in Monse
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The evening’s host, Mariska Hargitay, paid homage to her mother, Jayne Mansfield, and the iconic red dress she wore in the 1956 film The Girl Can’t Help It. Hargitay’s fire-engine red dress was covered in sequins that spread into a sweeping asymmetric train reminiscent of a flamenco dancer’s.
07 of 20
Selena Gomez in Louis Vuitton
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Gomez looked like a million bucks in a Louis Vuitton gown that looked as if it was made from a treasure trove of gold. She styled an armor-like look with Bird on a Rock by Tiffany & Co. jewelry, including feather earrings, a bracelet, and a ring.
08 of 20
Florence Pugh in Vivienne Westwood
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Pugh channeled a whimsical fairy in a custom Vivienne Westwood draped, corseted dress with blush sequin embellishment, lilac tulle overlay, and a shoulder drape that gave the illusion of wings.
09 of 20
Paul Anthony Kelly in Louis Vuitton
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The leading man wore a brown single-breasted tuxedo jacket with peak lapels from Louis Vuitton. He paired it with pleated trousers, a butter-yellow cotton poplin shirt, a black velvet bow tie, a brown silk cummerbund, and black leather Kensington derbies. A winning smile sealed the deal.
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10 of 20
Quinta Brunson in Christian Cowan
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The Abbott Elementary star and showrunner went for a sexy look in a cream satin dress from Christian Cowan. The look featured a fallen-strap illusion held up by a sheer panel attached to its plunging neckline.
11 of 20
Chase Infiniti in Louis Vuitton and Hearts on Fire jewelry
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This rising star slipped into a long Louis Vuitton bustier dress. The ornate number was made in black organza covered with hundreds of cabochon embroideries. Infiniti accessorized her copper dress with a selection of Hearts on Fire jewelry.
12 of 20
Elle Fanning in Ralph Lauren
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Star of Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Fanning looked stunning in a custom Ralph Lauren Collection evening gown crafted from embroidered silk chiffon in a shade of jade. The rich hue perfectly contrasted with her alabaster skin.
13 of 20
Carey Mulligan in The Row
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This English rose stunned in a strapless royal-blue dress from The Row, with origami gathering in the back and sprinkled with white floral embroidery. Although simple, it still made a statement.
14 of 20
Dan Levy in Celine
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The smallest tweak of details can make the biggest difference in a men’s tuxedo. Case in point—Levy’s Celine look. His oversized lapels and sharp shoulders gave what could’ve been a standard outfit a snazzier appeal.
15 of 20
Noah Wyle in Brunello Cucinelli
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The Pitt actor checked into the Emmys in a custom Brunello Cucinelli beige single-breasted silk, wool, and mohair tuxedo jacket with mother-of-pearl buttons, paired with black pleated silk diagonal trousers, tuxedo shirt, and accessories.
16 of 20
Claire Danes in Giorgio Armani Privé
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Danes donned a sculptural dress from Giorgio Armani Privé. The one-shoulder gown was made in flowing platinum silk satin and embellished with micro-crystal embroidery on the lining, from the brand’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection.
17 of 20
Fiona Dourif in Thomas Hanisch
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Dourif looked unrecognizable from her character in The Pitt, wearing a red, fuzzy look from Berlin fashion designer Thomas Hanisch. In a sea of ladylike gowns, it was refreshing to see this starlet take a fashion risk.
18 of 20
Supriya Ganesh in McQueen
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Ganesh traded her on-screen scrubs for a slinky McQueen slip dress with a ruffle skirt in pale blue satin. A sheer chiffon train added movement to her bias-cut gown, making it look as though she was being carried by the wind.
19 of 20
Rachel Sennott in Balenciaga
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I Love LA star Sennott debuted a brand-new blonde hairdo, courtesy of Bumble and bumble, to go along with her custom Balenciaga look. Her exaggerated silky nightgown was deep fuchsia, with a draped bust and a floor-length cape extending from the shoulders. The fabric was extra sheer, giving us a peek at her stems.
20 of 20
Louisa Jacobson in Tom Ford and Tiffany & Co. jewelry
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Jacobson borrowed her look from the boys. The actress wore a sharply tailored Tom Ford suit with white contrasting trim at the lapel. Tiffany & Co. jewelry added just the right amount of bling to her otherwise classic attire.
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