The 15 Best Looks From the 2026 Emmy Awards

The 2026 Emmys changed the carpet to blue for NBC's 100th anniversary. The guests brought enough gold and crystals to make the actual trophies look a little underdressed. Hosted by Mariska Hargitay on September 14 in Los Angeles, the ceremony gave us a particularly strong lineup of pastels, sculpted gowns, and styling choices worth arguing about. 

Chanel alone supplied lilac satin, white flowers, and Ayo Edebiri's very loud color combination. Elsewhere, a fuchsia sash did an unreasonable amount for menswear. Here are our 15 best Emmys 2026 looks, including the designers, stylists, and details that earned them a spot.

1. Zendaya in Prada

Zendaya returned as a lead actress nominee for Euphoria, wearing custom Prada selected with stylist Law Roach. Her blush tulle gown combined a plunging neckline with silver embellishments, crystals, and a sheer train. Mikimoto pearl-and-diamond jewelry added another layer of sparkle, because apparently the dress was only the opening offer.

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The pixie cut is getting joint custody of this win. It leaves the neckline and pearl earrings fully visible, while the sheer tulle gives all that crystalwork some breathing room. I particularly like the softness of the pearls against the sharper silver detailing. Everything connects, right down to the haircut. My pick for the night's overall winner. 

2. Selena Gomez in Louis Vuitton

Selena Gomez had executive producer business to attend to: Only Murders in the Building was nominated for outstanding comedy series. Working with Erin Walsh, she wore a custom Louis Vuitton bustier gown covered in gold embroidery, with curved detailing around the waist and a gently flared skirt. Tiffany & Co. supplied the jewelry, including Bird on a Rock pieces.

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The gold arrangement is doing more than reflecting camera flashes. Those curves emphasize the waist, giving the dress shape even under all that shine. Her long, loose waves add some softness, and leaving the neckline bare was absolutely the right call. 

3. Ayo Edebiri in Chanel

The Bear star Ayo Edebiri arrived as a lead actress nominee in the comedy category, with Danielle Goldberg handling styling. Matthieu Blazy created her custom Chanel gown around pale blue ruffles, a plunging neckline, and oversized red-orange bow details. Metallic silver sandals and Mikimoto jewelry completed a look with absolutely no interest in being discreet.

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My favorite color risk of the night. That hot red-orange gives the cool blue a jolt, making the ruffles feel much more graphic than sugary. The silver sandals are a smart finish under all the volume. I wouldn't remove a single bow. Let the woman have her ruffles. 

4. Sarah Pidgeon in Chanel

Sarah Pidgeon's first Emmy nomination came courtesy of playing Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in Love Story. Stylist Emma Jade Morrison helped her mark the occasion in custom lilac Chanel: a bias-cut satin gown with gold and silver chains, crystals, and pearls decorating the neckline and falling down the back. Chanel high jewelry completed the look.

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The slip silhouette keeps a connection to Carolyn's wardrobe, but the lilac gives Sarah room to have her own fashion moment. I love how the chains add detail while the satin stays fluid. Chanel did three dye tests to get this shade right, according to Pidgeon's Vogue interview. A level of commitment I respect, especially when the result looks this good. 

5. Elle Fanning in Ralph Lauren

Elle Fanning represented Margo's Got Money Troubles, which earned her nominations as both lead actress in a comedy and executive producer. Samantha McMillen styled her in a custom pale green Ralph Lauren Collection gown, made from silk chiffon with hand-applied micro-cut glass beads. Cartier jewelry finished the slinky, open-back look.

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The fine beadwork is why this particular green works so well. It gives the surface depth and shimmer, while the narrow silhouette keeps the pastel from getting overly sweet. Elle does enormous princess gowns beautifully, but I love this lighter approach on her. The tiny beads reward a close-up just as much as a full-length shot. 

6. Chase Infiniti in Louis Vuitton

Chase Infiniti made her Emmy debut as a lead actress nominee for playing Agnes in The Testaments. Her stylists, Wayman + Micah, collaborated with Louis Vuitton on a strapless mermaid gown covered in copper-colored beads. The Vuitton ambassador wore her hair in loose waves, leaving the sculpted bodice and its densely worked surface in clear view.

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Copper was an excellent choice. It has the impact of a metallic with more warmth than the usual silver, and the rounded beads make the surface much more interesting up close. That fitted shape opening into a full hem gives the dress its drama. First Emmys, very little evidence of beginner behavior. 

7. Dakota Fanning in Carolina Herrera

Dakota Fanning joined her sister with an acting nomination of her own, for supporting actress in a limited series for All Her Fault. Samantha McMillen selected Carolina Herrera Resort 2027: a black corseted bodice with a voluminous white skirt, an uneven tea-length hem, and a black petticoat peeking underneath. Strappy black sandals and Swarovski jewelry finished it.

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The shorter hem is the move. It makes all that skirt volume feel buoyant, and the exposed petticoat gives the black-and-white palette an extra layer. I also appreciate an awards dress that lets us actually see the shoes. A very good pair of sandals finally got its own camera time. 

8. Nicole Kidman in Chanel

Nicole Kidman attended as an executive producer nominee for Margo's Got Money Troubles. Jason Bolden styled her in custom Chanel, with a white bustier gown decorated with 46 flowers made from layered silk crepe, silk organza, and raffia. Chanel high jewelry and black satin pumps completed her return to the Emmy carpet.

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I'm backing the black pumps here. They give the white dress a sharp finish, while the sculpted shape underneath stops the floral neckline from taking over. Those different white textures also deserve a closer look. Nicole Kidman in immaculate eveningwear remains an extremely convincing advertisement for television about rich people with terrible secrets. 

9. Florence Pugh in Vivienne Westwood

Florence Pugh was on presenter duty, arriving in Vivienne Westwood with stylist Rebecca Corbin-Murray. The gown paired the house's signature corseted shape with lavender tulle, draped around her arms and extended into a train. A Bulgari high jewelry necklace and ring supplied the diamonds, while a spiky updo kept the finish recognizably Florence.

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The tulle sitting low around the arms is the detail I'm keeping. It frames the corset and adds movement while the bodice holds everything firmly in place. I like the deliberately unruly hair with all that softness, too. Pretty lilac dress, excellent neckline, hair that has plans after the ceremony. A persuasive combination.  

10. Carey Mulligan in The Row

Carey Mulligan's first Emmys came with two nominations for Beef, recognizing her lead performance and her work as an executive producer. Styled by Danielle Goldberg, she wore a strapless cobalt gown from The Row with white floral detailing, an oversized back bow, and trailing satin panels. White pointed heels picked up the dress's contrasting details.

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The cobalt is fabulous on her, and the small white pattern makes the front worth inspecting before you even discover the bow. I'm sold on the white shoes, too: they continue an idea already in the dress. The Row's devoted all-black clothes clientele may need a minute. Carey has made a very good case for branching out. 

11. Louisa Jacobson in Tom Ford

Louisa Jacobson, who plays Marian Brook on The Gilded Age, attended in a black Tom Ford tuxedo by Haider Ackermann, styled by Edward Bowleg III. The cropped jacket had broad lapels and a plunging neckline, with a long white scarf breaking up the black. Wide-leg trousers and Tiffany & Co. jewelry completed the look.

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The cropped jacket keeps the extra-long trousers from swallowing her, while the loose white scarf takes some of the formality out of the tuxedo. I love the brooch here: one good flash of jewelry is plenty. Marian Brook’s aunts would require a fainting couch. We require more Louisa in suits.

12. Supriya Ganesh in McQueen

Supriya Ganesh, who plays Dr. Samira Mohan on The Pitt, joined the show's cast in an icy blue McQueen gown. Stylist Amanda Lim paired the slim-strapped dress with Irene Neuwirth jewelry. The silky finish and soft draping made this one of the prettiest uses of the evening's pastel palette.

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I love how the narrow straps leave the neckline open and keep the draped fabric from looking heavy. The pale blue also looks particularly good with her dark, loose waves. It's a softer choice that still has a clear shape and plenty to hold your attention. Dr. Mohan's wardrobe outside the hospital deserves considerably more screen time.  

13. Hannah Einbinder in Calvin Klein Collection

Hacks supporting actress nominee Hannah Einbinder and stylist Karla Welch chose look 34 from Calvin Klein Collection's Spring 2027 show. The black satin bra top, edged in white, came with a long black column skirt and an Ana Khouri pear-shaped diamond pendant. The outfit was hand-carried to Los Angeles overnight after its runway appearance.

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The white trim gives the top a crisp outline, and the long skirt makes the exposed midriff feel deliberate. One substantial diamond was enough. Hannah saw a runway look and had it flown across the country for the Emmys. My online orders could never.  

14. Colman Domingo in Valentino

Colman Domingo had nominations for both The Four Seasons and Euphoria, and dressed for the occasion in custom Valentino. Styled by Wayman + Micah, he wore a terracotta Mandarin-collar jacket with decorative frog fastenings, cream pants, and a fuchsia sash. That's a proper color combination, and the sash deserves its own credit.

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The warm jacket and cream pants would already work together; the fuchsia is what makes this memorable. It breaks up the long jacket and gives the outfit a luxurious, slightly louche quality that suits Colman perfectly. This is how you make formal menswear fun through actual styling. I'd happily borrow that sash and let him explain the rest to the tuxedo crowd. 

15. Mariska Hargitay in Monse

Host Mariska Hargitay arrived with two fresh Creative Arts Emmys for My Mom Jayne and a red Monse gown that continued the tribute to her mother. Styled by Erin Walsh, she wore sequins and feather-like embellishment inspired by Jayne Mansfield's look in The Girl Can't Help It. Her daughter Amaya wore a coordinating version, making the reference a family affair.

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That saturated red against the blue carpet was an excellent opening move. The fitted shape keeps the sequins controlled, while the trailing fabric supplies plenty of movement. I like that the family reference comes through in such a glamorous dress. Mariska had hosting duties and awards already secured. Sensible time to arrive looking like the evening belongs to you.  

And those are our 15 best looks from the 2026 Emmys. Zendaya gets my overall vote, Ayo wins the color argument, and Colman's sash has entered my personal wishlist. Tell us your winner in the comments and don’t forget to share this post.

SEE ALSO: The Best Looks From The 2026 Creative Arts Emmy Awards