Emmys 2026 best dressed: Zendaya, Selena Gomez, Nicole Kidman and more stars who owned the red carpet
The 2026 Emmy Awards weren’t just about television’s biggest wins. There wasn’t one single formula dominating the 2026 Emmys. The red carpet had its own share of standout moments, with stars arriving in everything from sparkling gowns to soft pastel looks and sharply tailored suits. Held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the ceremony brought together some of the biggest names in television. And when it came to fashion, there was plenty to talk about. From Zendaya’s dramatic Prada gown to Selena Gomez’s liquid-gold Louis Vuitton, here are some of the best-dressed stars from the evening. Zendaya once again made a strong case for why she’s one of the most watched stars on any red carpet. The actor arrived in a sheer, floor-length Prada gown covered in intricate crystal embellishments. Delicate tulle detailing framed the plunging neckline, adding a softer touch to an otherwise dramatic look. She kept the styling relatively clean, wearing her hair in a chic pixie cut and finishing the look with diamond earrings. It was glamorous without feeling overdone. Selena Gomez went for full-on golden glamour in a strapless Louis Vuitton gown. The dress featured horizontal metallic sequin panels that caught the light with every movement, giving the entire look a liquid, almost molten effect. With soft waves and understated styling, Gomez let the dress do most of the talking. The result felt very old Hollywood, but with a modern edge. Nicole Kidman chose a very different kind of drama. The actor stepped out in an off-white Chanel dress featuring an elaborate floral and feather-like neckline, sculpted proportions and a thigh-high slit. The tea-length silhouette gave the otherwise romantic look a sharper, more architectural feel. She paired it with black Chanel pumps, diamond drop earrings and a loose updo. Elegant, but definitely not boring. Elle Fanning brought a softer mood to the red carpet in a mint-green Ralph Lauren gown. The pastel shade and flowing silhouette gave the look an almost dreamy quality, while the clean styling kept it from becoming too sweet. Fanning’s look was part of the evening’s noticeable return to soft, early-2000s-style pastel glamour. Ayo Edebiri was another standout in Chanel, bringing a little more personality to the evening’s polished glamour. Her look showed why the actor continues to be one of the more interesting names to watch on the red carpet. Chanel has also become closely associated with Edebiri during awards season, making her appearance another strong fashion moment for the house. Florence Pugh leaned into romance with a light purple Vivienne Westwood gown. The off-shoulder design featured delicate tulle sleeves, a fitted corset-style bodice and a sweeping train. She kept her hair in an elegant updo and added a choker, giving the whole look a slightly fairytale feel. The lavender shade made the dramatic silhouette feel softer. Sarah Pidgeon opted for a quieter kind of glamour in a lavender Chanel gown. The dress featured delicate beaded straps, a cowl neckline and a subtle train, creating a fluid silhouette that felt romantic without being overly fussy. The colour also fit neatly into one of the evening’s bigger trends: soft pastel dressing. Oscar Isaac showed that red carpet menswear doesn’t have to stick to the usual black tuxedo. The actor wore a cream-and-black Celine look featuring a double-breasted cream blazer, crisp white shirt and relaxed black wide-leg trousers. It had the polish of traditional eveningwear but felt much less predictable. Supriya Ganesh in McQueen Supriya Ganesh kept things light and elegant in an icy blue McQueen slip-style gown. The dress featured spaghetti straps, a ruffled drop-waist hem and a sheer flowing train, giving the look a breezy quality. Against the more heavily embellished gowns of the night, the simplicity worked in its favour. Some stars went all out with crystals and metallics, while others chose pastels, clean silhouettes or classic Hollywood glamour. Even menswear got a little more relaxed, with wider trousers and softer tailoring making their way onto the carpet. And perhaps that’s what made this year’s fashion lineup interesting. The biggest looks didn’t all look alike. From Zendaya’s crystal-covered Prada to Gomez’s golden Louis Vuitton and Kidman’s sculptural Chanel, the evening offered plenty of fashion moments to remember.
