Emmys Style Recap – Boring Show, Some Impressive Dresses

The 70th Emmy Awards took place last night and they were the lowest rated ever – no shocker there. But luckily many of the stars (and their talented stylists) came to play in some memorable looks.  We all know the Emmys aren’t the Met Gala or the Oscars but these days, with the power of Hollywood’s top stylists, most celebs don’t take any red carpet lightly. My top style pics of the night are below, along with a couple of slight misses and one rather unfortunate look. 

Sarah Paulson in Oscar de la Renta

So. Chic. Always love watching what Paulson and her stylist Karla Welch come up with for her red carpet appearances, and this look was exquisite. It’s straight off the runway from Oscar de la Renta’s spring 2019 collection at NYFW. It’s feminine, elegant and timeless. Love the simple slicked hair with middle part and the strong red lips.

Tracee Ellis Ross in Valentino Haute Couture

Ross is one of the only people that could pull this off (Rihanna and Lady Gaga come to mind). It’s also straight off the runway from Valentino’s fall 2018 collection. Of course this is a polarizing look but that’s also what makes it so good. It’s voluminous and interesting. Ross knows how to play the game and seems to be having a blast doing it.

Jessica Biel in Ralph & Russo

When I saw Ralph & Russo’s recent fall 2018 couture show, I knew we’d be seeing some of the gowns during award season. And this one, with textured ruffles, is one of Biel’s best red carpet looks. It’s light (no pun intended) and moved beautifully with her. Love the wavy locks and Harry Winston jewels too.

Keri Russell in Zuhair Murad Couture

This beaded feather-embellished, as seen on the runway from Murad’s spring 2018 couture show, is chic and expensive looking. There’s a Dynasty quality to this intricate and masterfully created dress which I love. Russell looked confident and empowered.

Thandie Newton in Brandon Maxwell

This asymmetrical pink gown was another one of my favourites from the night. As soon as I saw it, I knew I recognized it – Gigi Hadid wore it strutting down the runway during Maxwell’s recent spring 2019 runway show during NYFW.  I’m a sucker for a gown with a high neckline, especially when it’s tied at the side. So glam.

Evan Rachel Wood in Altuzarra

Wood’s made a point of consistently wearing pants on the red carpet, which I appreciate. She’s proof that not all women have to wear “pretty dresses” in order to be dressed up. And who doesn’t love an amazing suit on the red carpet?! Especially when the floor-length blazer has a train. Well played, indeed.

Mandy Moore in Rodarte

You know at high school grad when girls insist on wearing dresses like they’re going to some fairy tale ball? Ya, don’t do that. It’s like how the Emmys aren’t the Met Gala. On that note, I thought this custom copper sequin mid-length dress was the right amount of dressiness for the Emmys. And Moore looked lovely in it.

Tatiana Maslany in Christian Sirian

See comment above about level of dressiness at the Emmys. Hence, I was totally down with this color-block Siriano jumpsuit complete with a neon yellow top and black pants. It’s modern and unexpected. And once again, ball gowns aren’t a must for award shows. Outfits like this make red carpets interesting.

Taraji P. Henson in Giambattista Valli

Clearly an incredible embellished gown and I’m sure was unreal in person but seemed a little over the top for this award show. I would have saved this for the Golden Globes.

Scarlett Johansson in Balmain

This off-the-shoulder custom white sequined Balmain gown was sexy and sooo much better than her matronly look earlier this year at the Oscars. It wasn’t the most fresh look but Johansson wore it well.

Allison Janney in Prabal Gurung

Another amazing vibrant glamorous look I felt like we could’ve seen during the Dynasty days. I love that Janney took a risk wearing this sequin pink one sleeve gown but it’s a hard one to pull off. I hate to say it but if Jennifer Lopez wore this dress, it would have been legendary.

Tiffany Haddish in Prabal Gurung

This custom rainbow-colored Prabal Gurung was perhaps the most polarizing look of the night. But understanding the inspiration behind it makes all the difference. Like she did at the Oscars, Haddish wanted to wear a dress that honored her father and her Eritrean heritage. Her stylist said she also wanted something that represented love and happiness so they chose the colors of the rainbow which are also the colors of the Eritrean flag. Who can argue with that?! Plus she’s hilarious and we need more personalities like hers these days.

Chrissy Teigen in Zuhair Murad

Teigen is so clever and funny and we need more of her at every award show. She looked amazing having just had another baby but I wasn’t into this silver beaded Zuhair Murad gown. It was almost matronly and the neckline of the dress looked similar to something one of The Golden Girls would have worn to one of their formal events.

Laura Dern in Thom Browne

First, who doesn’t love Laura Dern? She’s an amazing talent, smart and lovely. Second,  Thom Browne is great too… but they’re not a match. Not sure who thought this grey bustier-inspired dress worn over a silk blouse was a good idea. And that curly hair?! It’s like it was permed. This was definitely unfortunate.

That’s a wrap. Stay tuned for more red carpet recaps to come. Award season has officially begun! Thanks for reading.