I’ll be real honest with you guys, the Emmy’s snuck up on me this year. I didn’t even know which network was airing the show until a couple of hours beforehand and my body was not ready for a Fox awards show ceremony. Oof, that TikTok bit, am I right? (But at least the stage wasn’t a fucking circle again, remember that?)
My body was also not ready for the way many of the acceptance speeches would resonate. I was already crying when I saw Giuliana Rancic interview Ava Duvernay and the Exonerated Five on the red carpet, okay? And then we had everything from Alex Borstein’s homage to her grandmother to Patricia Arquette’s raw grief and call for trans rights to Michelle Williams’ perfectly articulated speech about pay equity during the show. And no, I have not forgotten Billy Porter:
Seriously, I was not prepared. But you know what my body was ready for? THE FASHION. Well, most of it, anyway. Let’s review.
BEST
Billy Porter in Michael Kors
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: BOW DOWN. As major as Billy looked on the red carpet, there was just something about this look on the stage. The way the suit fabric just glided along with him, shimmering under the lights! The Stephen Jones Millinery hat! The movement of the scarf! The platforms! A man with the confidence and joie de vivre to pull it all off! This was a moment, and I for one am happy to have witnessed it.
Cheers to you, sir.
Kerry Washington in Alexandre Vauthier
HELLO I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS.
Rachel Brosnahan in Elie Saab
You guys know me, I’m basically a raccoon, I am attracted to shiny things. And such a shiny thing done well! I love this kind of liquid metallic and the color is amazing.
Mj Rodriguez in Jason Wu
How gorgeous is THIS? I liked the gown when I first saw it, obvs the pink and the black bows appealed to me, but I love it more the more I look at it. I think she styled it perfectly, too; she looks sleek and elegant but fun.
TIE: Natasha Lyonne in Gucci and Clea Duvall in Styland
I think this is a first! I was having such a hard time narrowing my list down from eleven to ten, and then I saw photos of these two posing together and thought to myself, “why not both?” Plus, it just made my heart happy to see these stars of But I’m a Cheerleader not so much reunited, but still close.
This is like the hottest she’s ever looked, right?
I thought this was kind of kooky at first, but it’s another one that grows on me the more I look at it. I was born in the 80s and I love primetime soaps, so this kind of drama really appeals to me, but the look still feels modern, no?
Amy Pohler in Greta Constantine
I fucking love this.
AND IT HAS POCKETS.
RuPaul
It should surprise exactly no one that I adore this suit. It’s just so REFRESHING.
Niecy Nash in Christian Siriano
I am blown away by how much I love this. The sparkles just melt against her curves, hugging her to perfection, and I am here for it.
I am also VERY MUCH HERE for this Dynasty-esque turban. It is everything.
Anna Chlumsky in J. Mendel
I want to say I have a long history of hating just about every look she’s worn on a red carpet, so imagine my surprise when I saw this print!!!
Sophie Turner in Louis Vuitton
This is just so PRETTY. I really buzz off of structured gowns in soft colors, and that juxtaposition just really suits her, I think.
WORST
Mandy Moore in Brandon Maxwell
Reader, when I saw this, I genuinely had to pause. Why the red and the pink? Together? Also, I’m just not wild about the silhouette and how low it sits on her, and the hair is just a lot to take in. It’s just, like, all together kind of matronly?
Susan Kelechi Watson in Badgley Mischka
Then I saw this look. And I had to pause again. The Anne Shirley within can almost – almost – deal with the sleeves, but the color blocking just makes it look like Molly Ringwald ripped up two dresses and sewed them together, and the pink and red together are just so bright.
Taraji P. Henson in Vera Wang
This sheer nightmare (TARAJI I’M SORRY I MEAN NO DISRESPECT) is when I finally realized that pink and red must be on trend. To that, all I have to say is: WHY? I do think this darker hue of red is a bit more successful with the pink than the kind of tomato, bright red above, but I can’t deal with the execution of the actual gown. I don’t want to see the skin color miniskirt below, you know?
Zoe Kazan in Gucci
I’m a good person, I have done nothing to deserve this.
Marisa Tomei in Ralph & Russo
THEY GOT MARISA TOMEI TOO SHE IS USUALLY SO GOOD. And in this gown that’s just kind of… pinata? I can hear Miranda Priestley on a loop in my head pontificating on how cerulean trickles down, and I can only conclude that we’re all going to show up at our respective holiday parties this year looking like whacked-out Pretty in Pink valentines.
SUPERLATIVES
Best Cast: Schitt’s Creek
No disrespect to Veep, maybe some disrespect to Game of Thrones, but I have to give it up for the erstwhile residents of a little town called Schitt’s Creek. THEY ALL LOOK SO GOOD, I CAN’T STAND IT. And it was just really heartwarming to see them have this moment of recognition, even though they didn’t win, after five seasons.
I don’t know why Annie Murphy is missing from the photo above, but I love this Dynasty-esque evening gown so I simply had to show you guys a full length.
There’s a reason this cast is a HOF fave, okay.
Favorite Season? Awards! Catherine O’Hara in Greta Constantine
What a stunning homage to Moira Rose. Catherine O’Hara is all class, what I wouldn’t give to share a glass of fruit wine with this woman.
Best Date – Platonic: Busy Philipps in Lela Rose, accompanying Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton
Goals. (The friendship and the looks.)
Best Date – Romantic: Leslie Bibb in Georges Hobeika, accompanying Sam Rockwell
First of all, she is flawless. And I just love how she slings her arm around his shoulders all the time.
Fashion Be With You: Gwendoline Christie in Gucci
And also with us. Let us pray.
Much Like Veronica Mars S4, I Wanted to Like This: Kristen Bell in Dior
And yet, here we are.
Most Likely to Succeed: Laverne Cox in Monsoori
Obviously, I love this.
But let’s take a closer look. No, I’m not saying she’s a total Monet – look at her clutch. She used her speaking time on the red carpet to draw awareness to an important upcoming Supreme Court case (her date was an ACLU lawyer who helped explain it!) and she branded her clutch so that there would be a reminder in all of the photos. So savvy, I have so much respect for her.
Good for Her: Viola Davis in Alberta Ferretti
I do like this black and white gown, although moreso from the front than the side.
But I love that she changed into sneakers when she was done walking the red carpet.
Commander of the Red Carpet In Chief: Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Oscar de la Renta
Okay, yes, I admit that she plays it safe. But not boring! And that’s a very important distinction.
Am I Crazy for Liking This? Gwyneth Paltrow in vintage Valentino
I don’t know, it’s just fun!
Most Improved Player: Maya Rudolph in The Vampire’s Wife
This is truly the most chic version of her red carpet self. I love.
PANTS YOU GUYS IT’S PANTS: Laura Linney in Derek Lam
E! only showed her from the waist up, so imagine my surprise upon later seeing full length! PANTS.
“Look at Her”: Phoebe Waller-Bridge in Monique Lhuillier
Phoebe had a very big night, and I like that she chose a somewhat tame but classic sparkly gown. This is almost timeless, she’ll be able to look back without a single cringe.
I’ll drink to that.
Welcome Back: Naomi Watts in Dior
I MISSED YOU.
I Don’t Know Why She Came Dressed as Poison Ivy: Zendaya in Vera Wang
But I’m into it.
Prairie Chic: Lena Headey in Brock Collection
There’s nothing else to say.
Pretty in Pink: James van der Beek in Brioni
Okay I don’t even care, I love it.
Honey, What’s This? What’s Happening? Carice van Houten in Ronald van der Kemp
If any of you know, please hit me up in the comments.
I Can’t With This Bitch No Matter What She Wears: Kaley Cuoco.
YOU GUYS. I had to look up her name because I honest to god forgot it. What a sweet sigh of relief. I think ScarJo is in the running as her successor, what say you?
How about you guys? Who were your faves on the red – sorry, purple – carpet? Are you as upset as I am about the pink and red trend? Let us know in the comments!