The Best Dressed Celebs At The Emmys

If the Oscars are the equivalent of prom, The Emmys are like morp — the domain for the class clowns and drama dorks who have a true knack for theatrics, but (for better or worse) less pressure on them to make a good portrait. For those reasons, The Emmys bring out the weirder side of award-season fashion, and you'll typically see more daring red carpet looks (which, for anyone familiar with the red carpet, are more like slight deviations in hem lengths and — gasp! — colors).

 With the world of TV expanding in both directions (bringing in silver screen actresses like Julia Roberts while expanding into new delivery systems and indie originals like Orange is the New Black), the diversity of starlets has expanded, making for much more interesting red carpet moments with a broadened list of dress shapes and designers represented (from newbies like Rosie Assoulin to heavyweights like Armani).

Check through for the 26 looks from the actresses that really brought it on Emmy night.

If I only had one word to sum of Keke Palmer’s outfit it would be: silhouette. It is everything for this Rubin Singer dress. The dramatic mermaid cut. The way-deep plunging neckline.The perfect body-hugging bodice. The sapphire creation is stunning from every angle, and with the addition of minimal Chopard jewels, the Masters of Sex star really did it justice.

 
With a small cape, fanned-out train, and beautiful orange-red hue, Heidi Klum’s Zac Posen was an example of what restraint can bring out in a dress. Some might have piled on the jewelry and accessories, but I  love how this clean, no-fuss gown shone all on its own.

Orange was definitely the color of evening, and I  love how vibrant (and un-Halloween-y) Kerry Washington looked in her Prada column gown, complete with a mini underskirt .

For those who don’t get it, embellishments, gathering, pleating, layering, and cut-outs might be a lot for one dress, but it takes a special sort of lady (and designer) to be able to make all those disparate notes really harmonize. Kate Mara’s J.Mendel gown hits that perfect balance, and looks dynamic, not dizzying.

You may think you have to choose between a cutout waistline or a belt, but Claire Danes handily proved that wrong here. Her Givenchy Haute Couture dress not only employed both, but her statement collar piece was the perfect embellishment on her bright-red (yes, another one) gown. Bonus: No additional statement jewelry necessary.

I was pleasantly surprised that a famous face of film was present on the Emmy red carpet. But, I was downright thrilled that Julia stepped outside her usual sartorial comfort zone, opting for a short, tiered, embellished Elie Saab party frock — a look I don’t often see The Normal Heart actress in. More of this please, Julia!

I  want to jump up and cheer every time I see a young, up-and-coming, and crazy-talented designer given a chance to shine on the red carpet. So, it’s only natural that I loved seeing this Rosie Assoulin dress.

January Jones could have blended right into the background in this persimmon Prabal Gurung dress (that just so happens to be a near-match for the red carpet). But somehow, instead of camouflaging her, it had the stunning effect of making Jones’ train look like it ran the entire length of the walkway. Now, that’s using your surroundings wisely.

Alison Williams may be the newly minted Peter Pan, but on Emmy night, she went for the princess gown. The billowy skirt; the soft, fair fabric; the you’re-not-walking-you’re-gliding magic. And, with the modern, colorblocked sashes that wrapped her Giambattista Valli creation, the results were nothing less than dreamy.

 

Another Hollywood awards night, another Octavia Spencer and Tadashi Shoji match made in heaven. Let me just say the actress knows exactly what looks amazing on her body and this crimson-colored dress was another home run.

Not many 14-years-olds we know have mastered red-carpet dressing (or developed a taste for Carven, for that matter). But, then again, very few 14 year olds are like Kiernan Shipka. And, once again, the young Mad Men star balanced sophistication and youthfulness — this time, in one beautiful, statement-belted number.

What do you do when you have a growing bump to attend to as you prepare to walk the Emmy red carpet? Deck that baby (on board) in sequins, of course. At least, that was Hayden Panettiere’s approach with her Lorena Sarbu gown. The deep-V, slim-fit silhouette was incredibly flattering on the Nashville star’s otherwise petite frame. And, the bump, well...it shined.

Lizzy Caplan may not have walked away with an Emmy, but ironically it was walking away that ultimately secured her a spot on our best dressed list. The Masters of Sex siren wore a Donna Karan Atelier creation that, from the front at least, seemed classic — black, halter-necked, fitted at the top, and flared at the skirt. But, when Caplan turned around, she revealed an incredible, cascading white train that was really unlike any other design

 
Probably the one person responsible for making lavender beat blonde and brunette as the hair colors of the season, Kelly isn’t one to shy away from the unexpected. Kelly’s dress was like a paper art creation, with delicate mille fois of laser-cut fabric.

If I was being practical, I love Sarah Hyland’s look because I imagine she could toss on a pair of skinny jeans with her crop top and easily head to any Emmy afterparty. But, when worn as-is, her Christian Siriano, two-tone look is the ideal modern-day ball gown for the Modern Family star.

Louise Roe’s job might have been to comment on the other fashion moments on the red carpet, but I have to say that the host really brought it herself as well, with her sweepingly folded, asymmetrical Monique Lhullier creation.

In case you were wondering who won best sleeves on the red carpet, look no further than Game of Thrones’ Sibel Kekilli. Her ethereal orange-red dress was a flowy, retro-futuristic breath of fresh air. The simple metallic belt was the perfect thoughtful, minimalist touch.

  Sarah Paulson chose an Armani Prive gown studded with a thousand magical stars that floated around her.

In retrospect, you don’t often see as many intrepid prints on a major, televised awards ceremony as you do solid colors. Which is may I was so delighted by Julie Bowen’s Peter Som gown. The cut was simple yet sexy, and the all-over, subtly psychedelic spotted print truly stood out from the crowd.

She’s probably quite comfortable by now just kicking it every day in a khaki jumpsuit, but this yellow, Christian Siriano, mermaid gown was practically made for Samira Wiley, and was truly one of the standouts of the night. (And, for the record, yellow may just be the new orange.)

  That coral-pocked neckline, that subtle side-slit, that perfect hourglass waistline, that dramatic train...with this one white gown, Danielle Brooks has become a must-follow in our books for red carpet fashion.

Most of the time, sleeves don’t do much in the way of making something feel more fabulous, but Michelle Monaghan’s long-sleeved Giambattista Valli gown took a simple white sheath dress to a much more interesting place. You’d do well to commit this style tip to memory once you hit the party circuit this holiday season.

As a constant fixture on the Emmy red carpet, Julia Louis Dreyfus always looks amazing. This year’s sleek Carolina Herrera creation — from the berry color to the subtle harness belt — was so spot-on for the Veep star who scooped up yet another Emmy award.

  Sometimes a Champagne-colored cocktail dress on a red carpet can feel a bit been-there, worn-that. But, on the Emmy-nominated Taylor Schilling, this Zuhair Murad number was truly something special. The difference was in the intricate work-of-art beading that covered the OITNB actress. It also didn’t hurt that Schilling’s accessory game was totally on-point with a mega statement ear cuff worn on just one side.

If you haven’t heard of Falguni & Shane Peacock before, don’t fret. The indie Indian designer isn’t yet a household name, but obviously has the chops to get there, as evidenced by the super-dramatic, cage-detail frock worn by OINTB’s Yael Stone.

Amy Poehler’s been bringing her A-game to the red carpet ever since she chose a tux at the 2013 Golden Globes. This silver, striped Theia gown is an art deco masterpiece, and lends a classic, almost sporty silhouette some Old Hollywood elegance.

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