Each year, the best and brightest in television are honored at the annual Emmy Awards, bringing out the biggest stars in the world of TV, and, increasingly, film. And while the Academy Awards remain the, well, Academy Awards of fashion, when it comes to the red carpet, the Emmys also have their own history of glamorous, show-stopping dresses. Think Sarah Jessica Parker in a pink confection of a Chanel haute couture gown at the 2003 ceremony, or Olivia Wilde in that wedding-worthy Reem Acra in 2008. There was also Jennifer Aniston doing boho chic in beaded Chanel in 2004, a polka-dotted Chloë Sevigny in 2009, and Tracee Ellis Ross immediately going down in history in a fuchsia ball-skirt gown by Valentino Couture. This year, because of the writer’s strike, we’ve had to wait extra long for television’s biggest night, but it’s finally here and promises to be a good one with nominations for Natasha Lyonne, Ayo Edebiri, and Jenna Ortega—a list that all but guarantees that more fashion moments will be rolling around soon. Until then, a look back at the best Emmy Awards red carpet dresses of years past.
Not only was Fanning clearly inspired by old Hollywood when it came to her 2022 Emmy dress, but she also picked up on the old practice when costume designers like Edith Head would design red carpet looks for their stars. This pink and black dress was designed by The Great’s Emmy-award winning costume designer Sharon Long, and handmade by the show’s cutter and seamstress, Catherine Shaw.
It’s no wonder the Squid Game actress stays loyal to Louis Vuitton when they create pieces for her like this sequin-covered dress she wore to the 2022 Emmys where she was nominated for her first award.
Taylor-Joy looked like a glamorous buttercup in a custom Dior dress at the 2021 awards.
Coel was all about color at the Emmys in 2021, where she took home the award for Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her show I May Destroy You.
Corrin’s Miu Miu look was a controversial one, but what’s not to love about this quirky, chic masterpiece?
Shahidi looked like an old Hollywood starlet in an emerald green Dior dress at the 2021 ceremony.
While the 2020 Emmys were fully remote due to COVID, King still showed out in an embellished Schiaparelli couture dress.
Ross, too, did not come to play, and she even rolled out the red carpet for herself.
Though Davis didn’t take home the award for Lead Actress in a Drama series in 2019, she did make it onto our best dressed list thanks to the custom, black and white Alberta Ferretti.
Jenner was one of the first to wear Richard Quinn on the red carpet, and in our opinion, she made a pretty good billboard for the British designer.
The bright bubblegum pink hue of this Brandon Maxwell gown pairs perfectly with its sleek design.
It seems pink was a big trend on the 2018 Emmys red carpet, and Ross also got the memo.
Paulson looked like an Emmy trophy herself in this paillette-covered Carolina Herrera dress.
The unexpected, tea-length hem of this Calvin Klein dress is likely what helped it land a spot on our best Emmys dresses list.
Chopra looked like a bonafide movie star (or, in this case, television star) in this red hot Jason Wu dress at the awards in 2016.
Paulson loves to bring some sparkle to the Emmys red carpet, and she did just that in 2016 with the help of a completely embellished, emerald Prada gown.
This Brandon Maxwell dress may look simple, but the unexpected silhouette made it a perfect choice for Lady Gaga.
Who says an Emmy dress has to be full-length? Washington proved it very much does not when she wore this silver Marc Jacobs number to the ceremony in 2015.
The then-fifteen-year-old Shipka found the perfect way to look age-appropriate while still cutting edge in a gorgeous, embroidered Dior couture top and black cigarette pants.
Caplan looked simple and elegant at the 66th annual Emmy Awards in 2014.
Williams smartly kept the styling of this Giambattista Valli simple so as not to over power it.
The singer went for a cool and casual Versace look at the awards in 2014.
Byrne looked gorgeous in this peachy two-piece set at the 65th annual Emmy Awards in 2013.
It’s too bad Dockery didn’t win the Emmy for Lead Actress in 2013, because we would have loved to see this two-toned gown take the stage.
Jones has always been known for her slighlty avant garde style, and the Jason Wu dress she wore to the Emmys in 2012 remains a perfect example of her red carpet aesthetic.
In 2012, Liu proved that when in doubt, a slinky, metallic Versace dress is always a great choice.
Wood’s red lip was the perfect accent to this beautiful, sparkly Elie Saab gown.
We can’t decide what we like more about Dobrev’s 2011 dress, the neckline or dramatic skirt.
The Mad Men actress’ signature red hair played off the pale periwinkle of her Zac Posen dress perfectly.
Good thing Danes took home the award for Lead Actress in a miniseries for her performance in Temple Grandin in 2010, because this Armani gown was made for a winner.
Clearly, 2010 was the year of sequins and sparkle at the Emmys.
Barrymore looked like a modern princess in her tulle-covered Monique Lhuillier confection.
The rope belt on Oh’s Marchesa gown is giving a welcomed touch of Scarlett O’Hara to this otherwise very modern dress.
It’s not often we see prints on the Emmy red carpet, but then again, Sevigny always marches to the beat of her own style drum.
Kunis’ deep red Monique Lhuillier dress walked the perfect balance between edgy and demure.
Lilly looked gorgeous in her art deco-inspired Elie Saab gown at the awards in 2008.
Wilde’s Reem Acra dress had a chokehold on all the fashion girls in 2008.
It’s always exciting when stars have a bit of fun with hemlines and step away from the standard full-length look.
Almost twenty years later and we’re still thinking about Barton’s ODLR dress from 2005.
Aniston was nominated for her role in Friends in 2004 when she wore this gorgeous white and gold dress to the ceremony.
Leave it to Carrie Bradshaw to attend the Emmys in an extremely glamorous, Chanel haute couture gown.
This Armani gown fit Russell so perfectly, it almost looks like it was painted on her body.
Jolie attended the 50th annual Emmys in 1998 wearing a nude Randolph Drake dress with an asymmetrical, off-the-shoulder detail.
Hunt was wearing this slinky silver dress when she took home the award for Best Lead Actress in a comedy series thanks to her work in Mad About You.
When you play a fashion icon on TV like Drescher, you better dress the part, and she very much did in this lace corset and black mini skirt at the ceremony in 1997.
The Dynasty star epitomized ‘80s glamour in a gold lamé gown at the awards in 1986.
Carroll looked as glamorous as ever in an embellished black and white gown with a plunging neckline and high slit at the Emmys in 1985.
Moore picked up the award for The Dick Van Dyke show in a dress with a criss-crossing bodice and white opera gloves.
The comedy icon looked gorgeous in a white fur coat and embellished dress at the 9th annual Emmys in 1957.
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