Best Emmys Red Carpet Looks of All Time
We love a red-carpet moment. The glitz, the glamour, the spectacle of it all is complete and total escapism — not to mention it offers a great opportunity for us to pick and choose our own favorite looks of the night! Amongst the awards season ceremonies, there’s one event where the biggest stars in the TV industry align: the Emmy Awards!
Over the decades, the Emmys have presented some unforgettable moments. But while the show itself is a fun watch, nothing really compares to the red-carpet fashion we get to see in the moments leading up to the ceremony. Since its inception, the Emmys has become the perfect runway for TV stars to work their fashionable looks. We’ve seen everything from the jewel tones of Vera Wang to the fabulous, tailored suits of Michael Kors, and we’ve fawned over practically every single one!
It’s hard to choose the very best of the best when it comes to Emmys red carpet looks, but we’ve done our best to narrow down some of the most memorable and stunning dresses and suits we’ve seen throughout the past few decades. Yes, that means we’re taking it back to Diahann Carroll’s flawless ‘80s posing, Oprah Winfrey’s gorgeous ‘90s frock, all the way to the 2019 red carpet where the stars showed off some Avant guard style with classic silhouettes. Check out the best Emmys red carpet looks through the years!
A version of this article was originally published in Sept 2021.
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Zendaya
Zendaya creates a fashion moment every year — how she and stylist Law Roach top each look year after year is astonishing! The Valentino gown is swoon-worthy.
Sandra Oh
We truly couldn’t get over this purple jumpsuit Sandra Oh wore on the Emmys arrival carpet in 2022. The deep neckline, the glitz, the glamour — we loved it all!
Zendaya (2019)
Zendaya left our jaws on the flor with this gorgeous emerald green gown with a dramatic leg slit and a corset bodice by Vera Wang.
Billy Porter (2019)
Billy Porter wore this custom Michael Kors Couture suit, a custom hat by Stephen Jones, and jewelry by Oscar Heyman for his historic Emmy win at the 2019 awards show.
The Fab 5 (2019)
Jonathan Van Ness, Bobby Berk, Tan France, Antoni Porowski and Karamo Brown seriously stole the show at the 2019 Emmys. They each fashioned looks that totally stood out and accentuated their individual personalities.
Jonathan Van Ness (2018)
Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness’ Maison Margiela high slit mesh and sequin dress from the 2018 Emmys lives in our minds rent-free.
Tracee Ellis Ross (2018)
Tracee Ellis Ross‘ gown absolutely popped on the arrival carpet at the 2018 Emmys. She wore this stunning Valentino gown with matching makeup and absolutely reigned supreme.
Emilia Clarke (2018)
Emilia Clarke fashioned this lace Dior gown for the 2018 Emmys and looked positively regal.
Millie Bobby Brown (2017)
Millie Bobby Brown looked like a princess when she arrived in this poofy white tulle gown from Calvin Klein.
Laverne Cox (2017)
Who could forget when Laverne Cox turned heads in this black-and-gold gown from Mikael D.
Kristen Bell (2016)
Kristen Bell turned heads at the 2016 Emmy awards in this ornate Zuhair Murad floral gown.
Sarah Paulson (2016)
Sarah Paulson fashioned this gorgeous green gown with a plunging neckline for the 2016 Emmys. The dress was designed by Prada.
Regina King (2015)
Regina King absolutely sparkled from head to toe in this gorgeous Krikor Jabotian gown at the 2015 Emmy Awards.
Emilia Clarke (2012)
Emilia Clarke looked absolutely gorgeous in this Chanel cream dress with purple sequin detail at the 2012 Emmys.
Kerry Washington (2011)
Kerry Washington went for a classic red in this Zuhair Murad gown during the 63rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre.
Claire Danes (2010)
Claire Danes absolutely stunned in this Giogio Armani Prive gown with Martin Katz jewelry on the Emmys red carpet in 2010.
Blake Lively (2009)
Blake Lively served up some old Hollywood glamour with a hint of sex appeal at the 2009 Emmy awards in this red Versace gown.
Katherine Heigl
The year that she won her Emmy Award for Grey’s Anatomy, Katherine Heigl wore this classic white gown designed by Zac Posen with a bold red lip on the Emmys red carpet in 2007.
Marcia Cross (2005)
Marcia Cross‘ 2005 Emmys Elie Saab gown was truly a showstopper. The emerald hue looked so amazing on her and the cut was truly classic.
Halle Berry (2005)
Halle Berry opted for this stunning, jewel-toned dress at the 2005 Emmy Awards.
Sarah Jessica Parker (2004)
Even Carrie Bradshaw herself would have loved this look! Sarah Jessica Parker wowed in this strapless black Chanel gown at the 2004 Emmy Awards.
Oprah Winfrey (2002)
Oprah Winfrey wowed everyone with this off-white, corsetted gown from Bradley Bayou.
Brad Pitt & Jennifer Aniston (2000)
In 2000, Pitt and Aniston stunned again and went for a more classic look. Aniston looked ravishing in this red Prada gown, while Pitt looked super cool in his suit and unbotton shirt.
Sarah Jessica Parker (2000)
Sarah Jessica Parker channeled her own Sex and the City character Carrie Bradshaw when she arrived in this pink tutu Oscar de la Renta dress.
Brad Pitt & Jennifer Aniston (1999)
Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were the “it” couple in the late ’90s and early aughts. Here they are at the 1999 Emmy Awards.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (1995)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus took the LBD to the next level for her 1995 Emmys look!
Oprah Winfrey (1994)
Oprah Winfrey couldn’t have looked better in this 1994 photo. She won the Emmy for outstanding talk show host at the 21st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards gala in New York and stunned in her fabulous corset dress.
Betty White (1986)
Betty White took home her third Emmy award in this sequin-embellished lavender gown that is giving Disney princess vibes!
Lucille Ball (1957)
Lucille Ball was the definition of Old Hollywood elegance when she arrived at the 1957 Emmys in this jewel-encrusted silk gown with a furry jacket.
Diahann Carroll (1985)
Diahann Carroll posed up a storm at the 37th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on September 22, 1985 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena. She honestly presented ’80s excellence in her gorgeous gown.
