The most questionable looks on the 2026 Emmys red carpet — and those who pulled it off

EntertainmentLifestyle

15 Sep 2026 • 9:14 AM MYT

The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

The most questionable looks on the 2026 Emmys red carpet — and those who pulled it off

The 2026 Emmy Awards red carpet saw stars show skin and dare to be bold — for better or for worse.

The 78th annual television awards ceremony returned to the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, where Law & Order star Mariska Hargitay hosted. Medical drama The Pitt led the pack with 25 nominations, followed closely by Hacks and Widow’s Bay.

As celebrities strutted their stuff along the red carpet, several trends emerged, including bright colors, soft glam and white frocks. The typical boring black dresses also appeared, along with a smattering of truly shocking — and questionable — fits.

While some nailed the assignment for television’s biggest night, others missed the mark.

Read on to see who was locked in — and who looked out of place.

Claire Danes

Claire Danes wowed in a silver, floor-length gown with an open shoulder (Getty)

The silvery color of the one-shouldered dress nearly washes Danes out, yet she somehow pulls it off effortlessly (Getty)

Ayo Edebiri

'The Bear' star Ayo Edebiri opted for a colorful frock for the Emmys. The pale blue was definitely a theme of the night. But paired with the burnt orangey-red felt ... off (AP)

Still, Edebiri looked beautiful and the pale blue-periwinkle color worked for her (Reuters)

Chase Infiniti

The fit of Chase Infiniti's gown was absolute perfection. The neckline, mermaid style, and accompanying glam were all *chef's kiss* (Reuters)

The only questionable part of Infiniti's look was the texture of the gown. It was eye-catching, to say the least (AP)

Florence Pugh

Florence Pugh brought drama to the red carpet in a pale pink and purple gown (Getty)

The sweeping gown was gorgeous but the messy glam felt too sharp a contrast. If her hair had been sleeker — not a slick back but just less sharp around the edges — the look would've felt more cohesive. Instead it's giving part princess and part 90s punk rock (Getty)

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman was not the first person to walk the Emmys red carpet in a white dress. But she certainly made an impact. The feathered neckline, off-the-shoulder sleeves, and thigh-high slit added drama to an otherwise plain look (Getty)

Kidman's signature blonde locks were styled in an updo, aside from some face-framing pieces. Her soft glam was completed by a pale pink lip (Getty)

The black shoes were an odd choice here. Surely she had something better in her closet than plain black pumps? That was the only bit of this fit that was out of place (Getty)

Zendaya

Zendaya always stuns. The 78th annual Emmys were no exception. This shimmery silver gown fit her perfectly (Getty)

Zendaya's cropped hair was perfectly styled to compliment her dramatic dress. The simple earrings brought the whole look together (Reuters)

The train on Zendaya's dress screamed star quality. So elegant (Getty)

Allison Janney

Ever a class act, Allison Janney looked flawless on the Emmys red carpet. Simple gown with an eye-popping detail. Gorgeous glam. No notes (Getty)

'The Diplomat' star's feathered neckline elevated the plain black frock in the best way (Getty)

Quinta Brunson

'Abbott Elementary' star Quinta Brunson's gown was ... intentionally messy? It looked like it had fallen victim to a dog at playtime with its ripped seams and stitches (Reuters)

The gown itself fit Brunson beautifully. But the vision was a mess — and a miss (Getty)

Jean Smart

Jean Smart knows how to dress and she rarely misses. The boring black can be overlooked because of the contrast this gown had. It fit well and she looked stunning (Getty)

Rhea Seehorn

'Pluribus' star Rhea Seehorn dazzled in red on the red carpet. She looked every bit the Hollywood glamor part in a scoop neck gown with a criss-cross pattern near the waist (Getty)

Dresses like this can sometimes overtake the person wearing them. That wasn't the case here. Seehorn owned it and rocked the red carpet (Getty)

Shailene Woodley

What in the world was Shailene Woodley wearing? And what was she thinking? Not only did it all clash, it was ill-fitting and entirely unflattering. Yikes (Getty)

What were those trousers? Cowboy glam? They didn't even fit her! This look was a major miss (Getty)

Kristen Bell

Kristen Bell looked beautiful — but the top of her white gown looked like it went through a paper shredder (Getty)

Mismatched hems and seams can sometimes work, but this was a mess. It looked like the dress couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. Cape? V-neck? Cut out? So instead it’s a bit of everything, and it just missed the mark (Reuters)

Meg Stalter

'Hacks' star Meg Stalter dressed for the Emmys as ... an Emmy. Complete with gold face paint. Wow (Getty)

Stalter is a comedian, and apparently really wanted to be the punchline tonight. This is ... bold. Just wow (Getty)

Stalter could only pose as an Emmy for so long, but still flashed a smile (Getty)

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez's shiny, shimmery gold gown was a stunner on the red carpet. Paired with her long locks falling around her face and down her back in curls, she looked beyond beautiful (Getty)

The pattern of Gomez's gown was similar to that of a disco ball in the best way (Reuters)

Katherine LaNasa

'The Pitt' star Katherine LaNasa arrived in a simple baby blue dress. With her hair in a high bun, dangling earrings, and simple glam, she looked every bit the part of an Emmy nominee (Getty)

LaNasa's gown complemented her hair and skin beautifully (Getty)

Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay arrived on the red carpet in style. She wowed in a red, off-the-shoulder mermaid gown, complete with sequins and feathers. It's fun and playful, especially for the evening’s host (Getty)

Hargitay’s first look of the evening was a clear winner (Getty)

Jackie Tohn

'Nobody Wants This' star Jackie Tohn looked beautiful in a bold red, sequined dress. But the look would've been better served by a plain nude heel; the black draws attention away from the dress (Getty)

Maybe it was the angle here, but Tohn's hair felt extra voluminous which was also a bit distracting from the bright red dress. A sleeker hairdo might've better served the look (Getty)

Lisa Rinna

Lisa Rinna knows how to make an entrance and turn a look. Here, the slicked back hair gave way for the giant, shimmery black frock to take center stage. But the big necklace was a distraction (Getty)

The necklace felt out of place and mismatched. A gown like this commands attention. Rinna surely knows this, which is why she opted for simple shoes and hair. So why did she choose that necklace? (AP)

Elaine Hendrix and Lisa Ann Walter

'Parent Trap' stars and longtime besties Elaine Hendrix and Lisa Ann Walter had an angel/devil theme going. Hendrix was a vision in an ornate white dress, reminiscent of Anne Hathaway's final ballgown in 'The Princess Diaries.' Walter's black mermaid gown was bold and well-fitted but would be more flattering without the tulle wings (Getty)

The glam on these beautiful best friends suited them individually and also complimented the other's vibe. Hendrix looked angelic and Walter more fiery (Getty)

Grace Gummer

'Love Story' star Grace Gummer wore what looked like a black garbage bag to the Emmys. The strapless gown was adorned with a giant flower and a strip of jewels down the side (Reuters)

The shapeless frock did Gummer no justice. The jeweled choker and tousled locks redeemed her slightly (Reuters)

Eunice Bae

'Your Friends and Neighbors' star Eunice Bae arrived in a yellow feathered frock. It’s giving Big Bird from ‘Sesame Street’ — not 78th annual Emmy Awards (Getty)

So. Many. Feathers. But also a bow! Big Bird could never. (Reuters)

Bae took a big, bold swing choosing this dress. It's admirable — and even fun — but overwhelmed her frame (Reuters)

Louisa Jacobson

'The Gilded Age' star Louisa Jacobson opted for a modern take on a black tux. It's chic, especially the cropped jacket and deep v-neck style, and it looked effortless (Getty)

Jacobson, the youngest child of Meryl Streep, smized for the camera to complete her look (Reuters)

Supriya Ganesh

Supriya Ganesh, who stars in ‘The Pitt’ looked absolutely stunning in a silky baby blue gown (Getty)

Her glam was spot-on, with her tousled hair worn down and simple makeup (Reuters)

The backless gown featured a ruffle hem that gave way to a see-through train (Getty)

Ciara Miller

Bravo darling Ciara Miller can typically do no wrong, but this Emmys look did not do her justice. The two-piece style cut off her long torso and looks ill-tailored. The white color also fell flat, despite the top being adorned with sequins. It’s disappointing (Getty)

Still, Miller looked beautiful. Her hair and makeup were flawless. But this strangely tailored, oddly plain fit was a miss (Getty)

Sheinelle Jones

Sheinelle Jones, co-host of 'Today with Jenna & Sheinelle,' looked gorgeous in a one-shouldered teal-colored gown, though the hem could've maybe been taken up another inch or two (Reuters)

Jones’ soft glam let the vibrant-hued dress do all the talking here — and it worked (Getty)

Keltie Knight

Keltie Knight's fit was the definition of questionable. The too-casual white crop top combined with the princess-like pink skirt ... was she going to the Emmys or a kids birthday party? (Getty)

Knight's glam was glowy and gorgeous, but the plain white crop top was far too simple and understated for television's biggest night — especially as someone who often hosts the 'E! News' red carpet (Getty)

Derek Hough

'Dancing With the Stars' judge Derek Hough turned heads on the red carpet in a teal-colored suit, an admirable departure from the normal black awards show tux (Getty)

The brooch added a touch of sparkle to make Hough's fit pop even more than it already did thanks to the vibrant hue (Reuters)

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