At the 2026 Emmy Awards on Monday, September 14, celebrities arrived on the red carpet in outfits that ranged from dramatic gowns to experimental suits. Presenters and nominees used their clothing, jewelry and styling to express personal taste and make statements. While some looks were polished and memorable, others were less successful.
Best Dressed:
ZENDAYA
Zendaya continued to raise the bar on the red carpet with her look at this year’s Emmys. Nominated for her role in the third and final season of Euphoria, she wore a sheer, crystal-embellished custom Prada gown with a plunging necklace. She paired the gown with a short pixie cut and large Mikimoto pearl earrings, creating a contrast between the dress’s drama and the look’s more delicate details. Styled by Law Roach, Zendaya’s look once again demonstrated her ability to make a bold outfit feel polished.
JEFF HILLER
Jeff Hiller, nominated for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his role in Pluribus, wore a tuxedo that stood out from the evening’s more traditional suits. What could have been another black tuxedo became more distinctive through embroidered playing cards, intricate gold stitching along the lapel, and a gold shirt underneath. The outfit balanced simplicity with intricacy, elevating what would have been a simple, uninteresting suit. Hiller wore Bode, a brand that specialises in using these kinds of artisanal techniques to incorporate in their outfits. His outfit was a pleasant surprise among many of that night’s boring suits.
FLORENCE PUGH
Florence Pugh looked fairy-like in a lilac draped gown with a flowing tulle train. Her “messy” updo, styled by hairstylist Hyungsun Ju, was carefully arranged to look effortless. The corseted bodice and layers of tulle in the Vivienne Westwood gown worked together to create contrast between the fabrics. Pugh’s green-and-pink necklace added another pastel element to the look and complemented the gown’s color. The combination of the dress, hairstyle and jewelry made the outfit feel cohesive from top to bottom.
Worst Dressed:
SHAILENE WOODLEY
Shailene Woodley’s look was one of the more disappointing outfits on the red carpet. Styled by Balenciaga, Woodley wore crystal-embellished pants, a low-cut light-blue top and leather gloves. The combination of fabrics, colors and tailoring made the outfit feel disjointed, while the slick bun that covered her ears added another competing element. Although the look was underwhelming, Woodley won her first Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role in Paradise.
CAREY MULLIGAN
Carey Mulligan, a first-time Emmy nominee, arrived at the Peacock Theatre in a royal blue, floor length dress covered in white flecks and finished with a pinned bow on the back. Mulligan has been known for her polished fashion choices, which made this dress feel disappointing by comparison. The bow and pattern made the dress look less refined than intended, although the bold color was effective. The Row dress ultimately fell below the standard set by Mulligan’s earlier red-carpet looks.
CIARA MILLER
Ciara Miller’s ivory two-piece had potential, but the tailoring and fabrics weakened the overall look. Her later Marc Bouwers dress, an homage to Whitney Houston, was striking and well-tailored, making the earlier outfit feel even more underwhelming by comparison. The top was ivory and covered in sequins, while the bottom was a flowing white skirt. Because the two pieces were slightly different shades of white, they looked mismatched when paired together. The outfit lacked the cohesion of Miller’s later dress, which used its tailoring and design more effectively.
