What you missed at the Emmys Best looks on Emmys red carpet Netflix kills Ransom Canyon 'Widow's Bay' breaks Emmy record 'The Traitors: New Blood' series premiere 2026 Emmys, from every angle Dion's Paris concert return 'Practical Magic 2' opens Alan Ritchson divorce Celine Dion returns The 2026 Emmy Awards celebrated the best performances on television, but some of the night's most memorable moments took place before anyone stepped onstage. As the first major awards show of the season, the Emmys carpet might also have offered an early look at the fashion moments that may carry over to the red carpets ahead. This year delivered method dressing, unapologetic splashes of color, coordinated families, 1990s nostalgia and an expectant plus-one. If this was the dress rehearsal, we're in for a fun season. Here are the best and boldest looks of the night — and the completely unofficial awards we're giving them. Best plus-one: Kaley Cuoco Kaley Cuoco looks darling in baby pink. Tom Pelphrey may have been Kaley Cuoco's official date, but he wasn't her only plus-one. The actor's pale pink gown gave their second daughter her first major red carpet moment. Most committed to a color: Derek Hough Derek Hough makes a splash in teal. Derek Hough didn't merely wear teal. He devoted himself to it with a monochromatic look that even included his shoes. The green hue is the winner for him tonight. Hottest couple: Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell are couple goals. Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys didn't need coordinated black looks to convince me they're the hottest couple on the carpet, but they certainly didn't hurt. Her black leather Khaite gown and his Thom Browne tuxedo were perfectly matched without veering into prom-photo territory. Surest thing: Zendaya Zendaya's star power shines on the carpet. There are few guarantees during awards season, but Zendaya landing on the best-dressed list is one of them. The two-time Emmy winner returned to the show as a nominee for Euphoria , wearing a crystal-covered Prada gown and a dramatic new pixie cut. Did we expect anything less? Most memeable: Duke McCloud Duke McCloud is 6 going on 7, and couldn't resist a 6-7 joke. At 6 years old, Duke McCloud already knows how to give the internet what it wants. The All Her Fault star (and former Yahoo Kids Rate contributor ) flashed the viral 6-7 hand gesture on the carpet, securing his place as the night's cutest meme correspondent. Most likely to go home with herself: Meg Stalter Meg Stalter is the prize. Hacks star Meg Stalter didn't just dress like an Emmy — she became the Emmy, complete with gold body paint, wings and an atom. She didn't win in her category, but, really, does it matter? Most mirrors in the building: Selena Gomez Selena Gomez glimmers in gold. Selena Gomez is recognized as an executive producer for Only Murders in the Building . Yet, the only mystery here is how she managed not to blind the entire red carpet with her gold Louis Vuitton gown covered in tiny mirrors. Best case for color theory: Colman Domingo Colman Domingo rocks Valentino at the Emmys. Colman Domingo paired a terracotta jacket with a bright pink shirt, miniature bow tie, magenta sash, ivory pants and white boots — a list that shouldn't necessarily add up to a look this good. But on one of Hollywood's most reliable dressers, it makes perfect sense. Best sister act: Dakota and Elle Fanning Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning skip sister-sister matching. Dakota and Elle Fanning share genes, but apparently not a red carpet mood board. The two went in different directions with their looks — Dakota in black and white, and Elle in a shimmering mint gown with trailing fringe. Both were undeniably stylish. Most likely to slay: Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah Michelle Gellar refuses to be missed in hot pink. Sarah Michelle Gellar has spent decades slaying, so why stop on Emmys night? The Buffy the Vampire Slayer star refused to be missed in a hot-pink satin column dress, paired with enough diamonds to give the color some competition. Best comeback: Nicole Kidman Nicole Kidman returns to the Emmys red carpet after nine years. It's practically magic that Nicole Kidman appeared at the Emmys at all. The Margo's Got Money Troubles actor and producer returned after nine years away from the award show, and on the heels of the long-awaited release of Practical Magic 2 . Her white Chanel gown, decorated with floral details along the neckline and grounded by black pumps, made the comeback well worth the wait. Luckiest spin of closet roulette: Shailene Woodley Shailene Woodley pulls off the night's most random look. Shailene Woodley appears to have played closet roulette. The newly minted Emmy winner combined a periwinkle halter top, gold sequined pants, burgundy gloves and a colorful necklace all in one look. Strongest supporting cast: Mariska Hargitay and family Peter Hermann, Andrew Nicolas Hermann, Mariska Hargitay, Amaya Josephine Hermann and August Miklos Friedrich Hermann coordinated for the carpet. Emmys host Mariska Hargitay showed up on the red carpet with her strongest support cast: husband Peter Hermann and their three children, Andrew, Amaya and August. The family was almost suspiciously coordinated, with the women in red sequins and the men in black-tie tuxedos. Clearly, everyone read the family group chat (but don't expect them to keep up with the host's numerous outfit changes). Most precious: Chase Infiniti Chase Infiniti wore a beaded gown from Louis Vuitton. Nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for The Testaments , Chase Infiniti turned to Louis Vuitton for her debut Emmys look: a strapless mermaid-style gown covered in copper beads. Structural standout: Claire Danes Claire Danes made an impact in a sculptural dress by Giorgio Armani Privé. Letting the shape of her dress do all the talking, Claire Danes wore a sculptural, silver Giorgio Armani Privé gown that skimmed the blue carpet and was cinched at the waist. Best plot twist: Ayo Edebiri Ayo Edebiri's Chanel 2026 Emmys dress was a tale of two stories. Ayo Edebiri made a statement in a custom Chanel gown that offered two very different looks depending on the angle. From the front, The Bear actor's pale blue layered dress had echoes of a Disney princess gown, but the back was pure party: a fiery red, oversized bow that cascaded down her back. Best mermaid moment: Supriya Ganesh Supriya Ganesh arrived at the 2026 Emmys in a watery-blue McQueen dress with cascading layers. Dressed to impress in a pastel, romantic take on a slip dress, The Pitt breakout star Supriya Ganesh wore an ice blue McQueen number that had an under-the-sea quality to it. Paired with wet-look hair, it gave off serious mermaid vibes. Best use of pleats: Cynthia Nixon Cynthia Nixon's Issey Miyake look was an elegant standout. Wearing Issey Miyake, Cynthia Nixon's 2026 Emmys look was a masterclass in pleats. The Gilded Age star wore a deep burgundy design, with draping, asymmetry and a dramatic silhouette. Chef's kiss. Most likely to be named prom queen: Florence Pugh Florence Pugh wore a lilac, glittering Vivienne Westwood gown at the 2026 Emmys. Lilac had a real moment at the 2026 Emmys, and Florence Pugh was one of the celebs who made the divisive '90s hue work for her. The custom Vivienne Westwood gown, with draped sleeves and a sweeping train, gave serious prom queen energy. Lady in red: Rhea Seehorn Rhea Seehorn stood out in a red Louis Vuitton dress which she later paired with the ultimate accessory: her first Emmy. Rhea Seehorn dressed for success in a vivid red Louis Vuitton dress that screamed "awards show" and achieved her goal, winning the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role in the Apple TV series Pluribus . Best nod to the '90s: Sarah Pidgeon Sarah Pidgeon represented her Love Story character Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in a Chanel slip. Making another case for lilac, Sarah Pidgeon seemingly gave a nod to her Love Story character Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in a '90s-inspired Chanel satin slip. The draped, bejeweled neckline shouldn't have worked, but somehow it did. Tuxedo trailblazer: Carl Clemons-Hopkins Hacks actor Carl Clemons-Hopkins kept things fresh in a fashion-forward interpretation of a tuxedo at the 2026 Emmys. Leave it to a Hacks actor to have some fashion fun. Carl Clemons-Hopkins put a spin on the classic black-and-white formula with a wrap-style tuxedo blazer and an elongated white shirt that created tails at both the front and back. Best romantic lead: Kristen Bell Kristen Bell kept things pretty in a lingerie-inspired look. Kristen Bell opted for a romantic Alberta Ferretti Resort 2027 look, consisting of a pale green silk-chiffon gown with a plunging neckline, a floor-sweeping hem and a coordinating cape.