Hollywood loves a theme, but television's biggest night threw out the rulebook. If you tuned into the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, you probably noticed something strange right away. The famous red carpet wasn't red. To celebrate NBC's 100th anniversary, organizers rolled out a striking peacock blue carpet instead. That simple design choice set the tone for an evening where stars played with contrast, color-blocking, and unexpected silhouettes.
Most fashion commentary treats award show style like a boring checklist of who wore what. Let's be honest: that misses the entire point. Red carpets are high-stakes marketing and personal branding tools wrapped in sequins and silk. Let's break down what actually happened on television's biggest night, what worked, and what fell completely flat. Expanding on this idea, you can also read: Why Celebrity Birthdays For September 20 To 26 Hit Differently This Year.
The Shimmer Obsession That Paid Off
You can never go wrong with crystals under Los Angeles studio lights, but some stars weaponized sparkle better than others. Zendaya showed up in a custom crystal-embellished Prada gown featuring a plunging neckline and sheer mesh lining that created an effortless illusion. Styled by Law Roach, she paired the look with a chic short haircut and minimal jewelry. It was confident, sleek, and entirely devoid of fuss.
Selena Gomez took a different route with a metallic gold column gown by Louis Vuitton. Covered in rows of mirrored sequins that gave off a disco-worthy liquid shine, Gomez kept her hair in long, loose curls and leaned into old Hollywood glamour. Experts at Bloomberg have provided expertise on this situation.
Then there was Mariska Hargitay. As host and a multi-winner for her documentary work, she opted for a glittering fire engine red Monse gown with a fringed train. Her daughter Amaya wore a matching outfit, channeling the iconic spirit of Hargitay's mother, Jayne Mansfield. It was a sweet, bold family moment that stood out in a sea of safe styling choices.
Pastels and the Return of Romantic Fluidity
While metallics grabbed the flashbulbs, soft pastels quietly stole the background. Elle Fanning walked in a mint-green Ralph Lauren slip dress featuring a silk fringed cape and sheer bodice. It felt light, effortless, and a little nostalgic.
Florence Pugh turned heads in a custom Vivienne Westwood lilac gown complete with an off-shoulder corset bodice and sweeping train. The pastel purple shade kept the dramatic construction from feeling heavy. Meanwhile, Nicole Kidman went in a sharper, more architectural direction with an off-white Chanel dress featuring sculptural feather-like detailing and a tea-length hem.
Not every pastel gamble worked, though. A few stars leaned so heavily into pale mints and creams that they blended straight into the studio backdrop, proving that soft colors require serious textural contrast to pop against high-definition cameras.
Menswear Gets an Actual Personality
For years, men's red carpet fashion meant a black tuxedo and a prayer. Thankfully, 2026 is finally burying that boring tradition.
Colman Domingo raised the bar yet again. The double nominee stepped out in a soft brown Valentino jacket with a Mandarin collar, paired with fluid cream trousers and a vibrant fuchsia sash secured with a silver brooch. It was adventurous, tailored, and entirely his own.
Noah Wyle kept things grounded with a tan Brunello Cucinelli tuxedo jacket featuring silky lapels, while Thomas Doherty opted for an off-white silk Brunello Cucinelli suit jacket. These choices proved that evening wear doesn't need to look like a funeral to be formal.
The Outfits That Missed the Mark
Every red carpet needs a few wild cards, but some styling choices felt more confusing than creative. Shailene Woodley arrived in an avant-garde Balenciaga Haute Couture outfit that sparked immediate internet debate, while other actors wore structural shapes that fought against their natural proportions.
Fashion at this level is about balance. When a gown features heavy architectural elements or confusing cut-outs, the accessories need to pull back. Too often, stylists pile on competing details until the garment collapses under its own weight.
What This Means for Awards Season
The 2026 Emmys didn't just hand out golden statuettes; they set the visual rules for the upcoming Golden Globes and Actor Awards. Expect to see more metallic column gowns, tailored neutral menswear, and architectural pastels as celebrities gear up for the rest of the circuit.
Stop treating celebrity style as an accident. Every hemline, jewelry pairing, and color swap is calculated. If you want to nail your own formal dressing this season, take a cue from Hollywood: commit to a strong point of view, prioritize fit over trends, and never wear anything you can't walk comfortably in.
