Check out the best (and worst) red carpet looks at the 2024 Emmy Awards!
TV’s biggest night is here at last: After months of pushback and delay due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards finally happened on January 15. Yes, it was a night filled with historic television wins (such as a landmark three acting trophies won by Black women and Elton John successfully cinching his EGOT), but let’s get straight into what you came here for: the clothes.
On the red carpet, television’s biggest stars chose to shine bright in loud ensembles that shied away from the basics as much as possible. There was an abundance of sheer fabrics, feathers and embellishments, as well as a much-welcome deluge of color (with red being a standout hue). However, only a few looks managed to catch our attention—for better or for worse.
Ahead, check out our top five picks for the best- and worst-dressed celebrities at this year’s Emmy Awards:
HIT: Ayo Edebiri in Louis Vuitton
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It was a huge night for The Bear star, who won the trophy for Supporting Actress in a comedy series. In our eyes, she also won the distinction of the best dress of the night. A sculptural feat of construction, this custom 3D-molded Louis Vuitton leather gown is understated yet gets more interesting the longer you look at it. We would have wanted to see it styled with a little more oomph (maybe a silver sandal, showier jewels, a glittery red lip), but there’s no denying Edebiri is a style star to watch out for.
MISS: Selena Gomez in Oscar de la Renta
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We mean this with no intentional disrespect, but this was a disaster. Selena Gomez is far too beautiful and iconic to wear a dress fit for an aging cougar socialite on the prowl. Where do you even begin? The way the neckline looks like she’s being felt up (and not in a cheeky chic way), the ill-matched dress lining, the visible seams on the illusion netting, and the unflattering muddy lip all conspire to make this red-carpet ensemble a sad out. She needs to give her stylist a stern talking-to pronto.
HIT: Simona Tabasco in Marni
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You could consider her unforgettable turn in The White Lotus as her big Hollywood break, so we’re thankful Italian actress Simona Tabasco didn’t choose to take the typical ingenue princess route style-wise. Instead, she chose to make a splash on the red carpet in this eye-popping Marni floral decoupage gown. It’s the perfect blend of campy glamour and earthy sensuality, and proof that yes, florals can indeed be groundbreaking.
MISS: Jennifer Coolidge in Etro
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As much as it pains us to say it, The White Lotus star and all-around national treasure Jennifer Coolidge was not serving mother on the Emmys red carpet. Instead, she was serving Sicilian family matriarch at a funeral. This dress is way too dowdy and frumpy, so much so that it overpowers her innate sexiness and natural star quality. Definitely a sad look ill-befitting of our generation’s Mae West.
HIT: Bella Ramsey in Prada
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There isn’t much precedent in Hollywood to wholly define non-binary style, but The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey is definitely blazing the trail on this front. Proving that you can never go wrong with impeccably fitted tailoring, the young actor adds a dash of flair to their look with well-coordinated color-blocking. We love how the burgundy of the loafers pairs beautifully with the forest green of the suit, and how the overall color palette feels very fresh somehow. They look amazing.
MISS: Sophie Thatcher in Saint Laurent
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Well, oof. The young Yellowjackets actress definitely has face card in spades, which is why it’s so confusing why she showed up at the Emmys red carpet wearing….this. It looks more unfinished than anything, like an undergarment for a much more red-carpet-appropriate gown, or maybe a medieval servant’s costume in Game of Thrones. Compounding things is how it’s all rendered in the worst possible color for her skin tone. Guess there’s always a next time?
HIT: Claire Danes in Balmain
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Although this is not the showiest or most eye-popping look, it’s hands down one of the loveliest dresses of the night. The eight-time Emmy nominee went digging into the Balmain archives and chose to wear this pink silk number designed in the ‘80s. From the front, it’s a pretty enough column gown. But all the drama unfolds once she turns around, where massive brooches and gorgeous criss-cross back detailing all meld together in this chic confection of a look. She’s serving Grace Kelly ice queen realness and we are here for it.
MISS: Quinta Brunson in Dior Haute Couture
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First things first: attention must be paid to Miss Brunson, who made history last night as the first Black woman to win the Emmy for Lead Actress in a comedy since 1981. She deserves all the laurels and praises for her historic win, but what she did not deserve was that dress. Her Dior Haute Couture gown was a wrinkled haute mess, and we wonder what this would have been like if she just had a steamer in her hotel room. Her stylist has since chimed in, claiming that the wrinkles were intentional as it was a “crushed-satin dress.” To which we respond: what was the reason?
HIT: Natasha Lyonne in Schiaparelli
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You can always count on Natasha Lyonne to liven up any red carpet with her singular brand of chic, punk-tinged style. Her Emmys ensemble was no exception: This silver Schiaparelli number was a stunner and set off the Russian Doll star’s trademark red locks beautifully. What we love most about this look is how it exudes effortless cool while leaving such a strong impact. Very Joan of Arc goes to Studio 54, in the most fabulous way.
MISS: Charlie Puth in Balmain
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Listen, we love it when a male celebrity eschews the staid old black suit for something with a little more flair. And while we understand that modern tailoring leans towards the oversized, sometimes the proportions can just get ridiculous. Case in point: Charlie Puth’s formal evening coat just drowns him, and feels like something a scientist would wear before entering the lab. The whole look also seems incomplete somehow, with the lack of accessories and the unfortunate puckering on the waistband. Props for the effort, though.
While some efforts felt flat, we see that this year’s Emmys looks skewed towards the bold and courageous, which makes us excited for the next few red carpets this awards season. It’s your turn to chime in: What was your favorite Emmys look of the night?
Words Jer Capacillo
Art Macky Arquilla
