The 50 Greatest Emmys Red Carpet Looks of All Time
The 2024 Emmys are almost here, so get your ballots ready because the ceremony will take place on Sunday, Sept 15, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Peacock. And while I’m itching with anticipation to see what the nominees wear this year, I’ll just have to make do with scrolling through the looks of years past.
Lucky for me, these 50 individuals completely knocked their red carpet appearances out of the park, from Disney princess dresses to chic and simple gowns. The list incudes everyone from Joan Collins and Paula Abdul to Quinta Brunson and Zendaya. Here are the 50 best Emmys looks of all time.
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1. Joan Collins, 1986
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Four words: Glittering. Gold. Shoulder pads. It doesn’t get any more ’80s than this, folks.
2. Diahann Carroll, 1986
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This strapless off-the-shoulder column gown exuded drama, thanks to the beaded fringe neckline.
3. Paula Abdul, 1989
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I’m not sure if those are attached sleeves or separate gloves, but either way, Abdul is rocking them like no one else ever could. Or should.
4. Joan Rivers, 1990
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The comedian and fashion expert rocked a monochromatic look while accepting her award for Outstanding Talk Show Host. The statuette was the ultimate accessory.
5. Cindy Crawford, 1992
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She may only have been presenting at the 1992 Emmys but Crawford brought high fashion to the red carpet with this black bustier, high slit skirt and beret.
6. Oprah Winfrey in Valentino, 1994
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Proof that the sheer red carpet dress trend was cool way before Beyoncé tried it.
7. Courteney Cox in Debra Mcguire, 1995
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The Friends star opted for a one-of-a-kind, custom-designed gown by Debra McGuire. Made of bias-cut charmeuse, it was the light periwinkle hue that really turned heads on the red carpet.
8. Demi Moore in Norma Norell, 1997
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Moore attended the awards with her then hubby, Bruce Willis, and stole the show in this navy sequined gown, redefining minimalist chic. And her cropped coif was the perfect accessory.
9. Angelina Jolie in Randolph Drake, 1998
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Is it us or does this nude fitted gown resemble the award show’s gold statuette? Minus the draped neckline, of course.
10. Calista Flockhart in Ralph Lauren, 1999
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Leave it to Flockhart to pull off wearing a classic white button-down with a satin skirt to one of the television’s most prestigious events.
11. Julia Roberts in Ralph Lauren, 1999
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Can you get more ‘90s with this sophisticated, inky black column dress from Ralph Lauren? I think not. Julia Roberts always knows how to wear the classics, like this LBD, with class, and the strappy open back of the dress was even more breathtaking.
12. Jennifer Aniston in Randolph Duke, 1999
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Her hair was as confusing as her dress was stunning. Oh, and can we talk about that adorable mini bag as well?
13. Sarah Jessica Parker in Oscar De La Renta, 2000
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This may have been the exact moment that SJP and Carrie Bradshaw ceased to be separate individuals and morphed into one epically chic fashion goddess.
14. Mischa Barton in Oscar De La Renta, 2005
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This embellished beauty would look just as fabulous on a red carpet today as it did 19 years ago.
15. Halle Berry in Emanuel Ungaro, 2005
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Berry was nominated for two Emmy Awards that year, but the real winner in our opinion was her front-slit sapphire strapless gown.
16. Jennifer Love Hewitt in Dolce & Gabbana, 2005
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Taking a little inspiration from SJP, perhaps? I love Hewitt for taking a risk and going with a tea-length dress. There’s no doubt she totally nailed it.
17. Olivia Wilde in Reem Acra, 2008
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Wilde’s pleated number featured a silver cap sleeve and was designed by Reem Acra. Did someone say Greek goddess?
18. Chloe Sevigny in Isaac Mizrahi, 2009
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This polka-dot number was simultaneously way ahead of its time and right on-trend. Might it be time for a second appearance?
19. Gwyneth Paltrow in Pucci, 2011
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The Goop founder’s two-piece ensemble proved to be quite divisive at the time, but I am 100 percent on board with her I Dream of Jeannie vibes.
20. Nina Dobrev in Donna Karan, 2011
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The Vampire Diaries star matched the red carpet in a crimson structured strapless dress with an embellished mermaid hem.
21. Sarah Hyland in Christian Siriano, 2014
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Another crop top and skirt combo, this time with a bold ballgown. This Christian Siriano getup is the perfect combination of chic and simple.
22. Laverne Cox in Marc Bouwer, 2014
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Cox made history that year as the first transgender person ever nominated for an Emmy—and she made a huge statement on the red carpet as well.
23. Kiernan Shipka in Dior Haute Couture, 2015
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Don Draper’s daughter is all grown up and giving her model mama a run for her money, especially when it comes to fabulous style.
24. Taraji P. Henson in Alexander Wang, 2015
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Henson looked absolutely gorgeous in sheer black for her first Emmy nomination for Empire.
25. Sarah Paulson in Prada, 2016
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As if her fellow nominees weren’t already green enough with envy over her look, Paulson went on to win for her role in The People v. O.J. Simpson. You go, girl.
26. Kerry Washington in Brandon Maxwell, 2016
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Washington showed off her growing baby bump and natural curls with this strapless black Brandon Maxwell gown, which featured side cutouts and a long train.
27. Kristen Bell in Zuhair Murad, 2016
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It would have been a gorgeous ballgown on its own, but those painted and jeweled flowers take this stunner to a whole new level.
28. Zo? Kravitz in Dior Haute Couture, 2017
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This rainbow beauty is best appreciated when seen in a full 360-degree twirl.
29. Jane Fonda in Brandon Maxwell, 2017
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And I can pretty much say with certainty that the greatest accessory of the entire evening was Fonda’s sleek ponytail.
30. Tracee Ellis Ross in Chanel, 2017
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Only Tracee Ellis Ross could pile on this many sequins and feathers and still have the shiniest part of her look be that dazzling smile.
31. Tracee Ellis Ross in Valentino, 2018
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Yup. Just one year after she wore that gorgeous Chanel number, Ross stepped up her game in this eye-popping Valentino Haute Couture gown.
32. Angela Sarafyan in Christian Siriano, 2018
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The 36-year-old Westworld actress looked like an IRL star in a stunning Christian Siriano dress and Harry Kotlar jewels.
33. Penélope Cruz in Chanel Haute Couture, 2018
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A deconstructed take on Chanel’s signature tweed paired with Atelier Swarovski jewelry and a sassy pony—what’s not to love about Cruz’s look?
34. Sophie Turner in Louis Vuitton, 2019
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She paired this sleek column gown (which totally reminded us of Gwyneth Paltrow’s 1999 Academy Awards look) with a Louis Vuitton diamond necklace and rings and silver sandals.
35. Regina King in Jason Wu, 2019
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The 52-year-old American Prime star donned icy blue for the occasion. Between that high halter neck and thigh-high leg slit, I can’t get over her custom getup.
36. Padma Lakshmi in Christian Siriano, 2019
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Top Chef brought her fashion A-game to the 2019 Emmys in an icy blue Christian Siriano ensemble with a dramatic bow in the back and shining Lorraine Schwartz jewels.
37. Jonathan Van Ness in Couch Couture, 2020
There might not have been a red carpet that year, but Jonathan Van Ness managed to steal the show at the 72nd annual Emmy Awards.
38. Tracee Ellis Ross in Alexandre Vauthier, 2020
Although the nation missed out on seeing a star-studded red carpet at the Emmys in 2020, Ross went all out in a stunning gold dress. I’d say this ensemble deserves an award on its own.
39. Sophia Bush in Markarian, 2021
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Bush totally won the Emmys red carpet in this regal Amelie Pink Silk Faille Gown from the Markarian autumn/winter 2020 collection.
40. Robin Thede in Jason Wu, 2021
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Step aside, Tinkerbell. The Black Lady Sketch Show creator turned heads with this custom embroidered green dress by Jason Wu.
41. Kerry Washington in Etro, 2021
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Washington stunned in her silver satin gown, which featured a cowl neckline and matching corset. The actress elevated her outfit with a pair of sparkly drop earrings.
42. Elizabeth Olsen in The Row, 2021
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The Wandavision star was the picture of elegance in a flattering white dress from Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's luxury label, The Row.
43. Sarah Paulson in Carolina Herrera, 2021
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Paulson matched with the carpet in her eye-catching red gown, complete with a plunging neckline and balloon sleeves.
44. Kaley Cuoco in Vera Wang, 2021
Cuoco lit up the red carpet in this custom neon-yellow Vera Wang dress, which featured a gravity-defying slit.
45. Angela Bassett in Greta Constantine, 2021
Bassett proved that pink isn't just reserved for Wednesdays. The actress stole the show in a fitted black gown with bright pink ruffles.
46. Zendaya in Valentino, 2022
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Zendaya put a modern spin on a classic little black dress. Two words: that train.
47. Quinta Brunson in Dolce & Gabbana, 2022
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Quinta Brunson’s liquid-like metallic gown was all I could talk about that awards season.
48. Sarah Snook in Vivienne Westwood, 2024
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This look occurred in early 2024 thanks to a delayed 75th Emmys (courtesy of the actors' and writers' strikes). From the corseted silhouette to the delicate draping to the diamond baubles, everything about Snook's *red* carpet moment is a knockout.
49. Bella Ramsey in Prada, 2024
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The Last of Us actress proved that you don’t have to don a ballgown to make a memorable entrance when she wore a head-to-toe Prada suit. And the deep plum and scarlet red shirts really make the rich green pop.
50. Aubrey Plaza in Loewe, 2024
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This Loewe dress was all anyone could talk about last year, as was season 2 of The White Lotus, which received a total of 23 Emmy nominations that year. Nearly as impressive as this champagne-colored surreal dress.
