Best of Emmys fashion: From Meryl Streep to RDJ, these stars ruled the red carpet

If you thought the Emmys already happened this year, you're right; the 2023 ceremony was delayed amid the SAG-AFTRA strike and took place in January. Now, the awards are back to regular September timing. As many refreshed their social media and waited with bated breath to see who took home the night’s biggest awards, we showed more enthusiasm at the red carpet, where fashion reigned supreme.

The event has always been known for its history of showstoppers—remember Zendaya’s bottle-green Vera Wang number that still haunts us, or Angelina Jolie’s nude asymmetrical gown from 1998? While the lower tier musical counterpart VMAs served us superhero cosplay and goth fantasies, the Emmys returned to what they do best: sophistication, sans unnecessary drama. But the involvement of elegance and the lack of over-the-top headgear doesn’t mean it was boring and unimaginative, in fact, quite the opposite.

Think pink

Meryl Streep, fabulously pink, and clearly not giving up on femininity—set the tone for the night. In an era of “Barbiecore” taking over fashion, Streep’s take on the trend was head-to-toe meticulous (quite literally). She posed in a light pink Alexander McQueen pantsuit; but it was the accessories that sealed the deal: a matching pussy-bow blouse, a dainty pink handbag, and pink-framed glasses. Oh, and a pink pedicure, peaking out perfectly through her open-toe sandals. 

If you were wondering where that Old Hollywood glamour went, look no further than Rita Ora. The singer glided onto the carpet in a Tamara Ralph strapless gown—a soft pink confection with a sweetheart neckline that cinched at the waist and billowed into a flowing skirt. The pièce de résistance: a feathery, floating shawl around her arms.

Entertainment Tonight host Nischelle Turner also predicted that pink was the mood of the night and showed up in a champagne silk gown that hugged her silhouette with the help of a corset top with front ties over the abdomen. 

If you thought gowns were all about fabric, Best Actress winner at the Oscars for Killers of the Flower Moon, Lily Gladstone came to challenge that notion. Wearing a black velvet Rodarte dress with a striking copper chest plate by Sea Wisdom Design, her outfit was a celebration of both art and culture. The sculptural piece looked as if it had been molded to her body, etched with intricate designs. 

The Bear might have had Abby Elliot sweating it out in the back office of a kitchen on screen, but on the red carpet, she was cool and collected in a sky-blue Monique Lhuillier gown. The chiffon creation cascaded down her frame like water, the one-shoulder cape adding a goddess-like touch. Daisy Edgar Jones’ Gucci TIFF look may have inspired it, but Elliot owned it.

Onto our favourite carpet frequenter: Nicola Coughlan. The Bridgerton star never steps foot on the crimson runway without her matching Artists4Ceasefire pin. This time, the pin was complimented by a futuristic, silver off-the-shoulder gown that had a structured corset construction with bubble-shape peplum over a long skirt. She looked like a true diamond of the (awards) season.

Cummerbund and brooch season

On the men’s side, Andrew Scott decided that a boring tux was not in the cards. Instead, he opted for a Vivienne Westwood chocolate-brown suit with exaggerated lapels and ruffled black shirt. It was a rock 'n' roll take on formalwear, like something a very well-dressed pirate might wear to a gala. With fanged lapels extending far past his shoulders, Scott turned heads for all the right reasons. This is what menswear should strive to be—interesting, rebellious, but still impeccably tailored. A Westwood menswear piece is rare and hardly ever done, but after this look, it may become every A-lister’s must-have.

Scott was outdone only by Bridgerton’s Jonathon Bailey in his Armani black and white tuxedo. But it wasn’t just the jacket or the silk shirt that made this look pop - it was the accessories. The red-tinted sunglasses and gardenia brooch by De Beerst gave his ensemble an edge. Bailey struck the perfect balance between traditional and daring, his generously unbuttoned shirt redefining elegance for the modern man in an otherwise classic look. It must be raining cummerbunds in the men’s fashion scene because Matt Bomer, Bailey’s Fellow Travellers costar coordinated in a matching one for the evening. Bomer suited up in a slimmer, crisper custom Brioni look with a plum-toned shirt and jacket.

Couples that slay together, stay together 

Naomi Watts and Billy Crudup may have been one of the simpler couples of the night, but sometimes simplicity is the key to standing out. Watts, in a strapless emerald green Balenciaga gown was reminiscent of the Zendaya number we were just raving about. The gown came with a bow at the back which brought a touch of old-school refinery. Crudup, in a classic black Dolce & Gabbana suit, complimented her perfectly. 

Robert Downey Jr and wife Susan were the cool couple of the night, with Downey Jr opting for a navy suit with flared trousers, while Susan dazzled in a strapless red sequinned gown. His brooch, featuring a mammoth pink rock, could have stolen the spotlight, but Susan’s gown made sure the attention stayed shared. 

Newlyweds Saoirse Ronan and Jack Lowden made their first major appearance as husband and wife on the red carpet. It made for an extra sweet debut as the couple sported matching plum-coloured outfits. Saoirse was in a Lous Vuitton two-piece consisting of a bandeau top and a high-waist maxi skirt complete with a train. Her top featured a delicate piece of sheer fabric draped over the top that fell towards her feet. Jack followed suit (pun intended) in a a matching double-breasted jacket and black bow tie.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.