With fashion week underway in New York, we had trend-spotting on the brain as stars stepped onto the red (read: midnight blue) carpet at the 78th Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Monday night.
A handful of actresses floated out in gowns the exact same shade of lilac, looking feminine and vaguely promlike in some cases. Men tended toward strong, augmented shoulders, verging on David Byrne’s iconic boxy suit. Generally, dresses were either draped and diaphanous or sculptural and molded, with little in between.
Yet most of the looks that resonated with us most occupied this rich middle ground, where stars like Colman Domingo and Ayo Edebiri played with striking colors — brownish peach and fuchsia for him, periwinkle and vermilion for her — and men and women looked handsome in various takes on classic suiting. Red-carpet heroes like Zendaya and Chase Infiniti who reliably create striking style moments did not disappoint.
Of all the looks that flowed across our television screens, these were our favorites.
Colman Domingo
In custom Valentino, the actor told an inspiring color story in a tawny Tang jacket with pops of clashing pinks — almost neon under the collar, and a regal fuchsia at the waist.
Louisa Jacobson
Look closely and you can see this suit jacket has a lot going on. It’s cropped; it’s sharply asymmetrical and geometric; it has a tiny tasseled scarf sliding over one of its lapels. Yet all together, the actress looked cool and louche — as one can only look in Tom Ford.
Emmy Rossum
There are ruffles, lace, buttons and beading. This Julie de Libran couture dress could’ve leaned too goth, or too Victorian haunted doll. But with the addition of Rossum’s voluminous curls, it’s elegant and made her appear statuesque.
Ayo Edebiri
This bold Chanel — with an oversize bow in front and back for balance, and for camera angles — benefited from equally bold hues, opposite each other on the color wheel.
Oscar Isaac
Cummerbunds have been faddish as of late for men and women. The actor, who typically goes for understated, old Hollywood dressing on the red carpet — showed that what’s trendy for others is simple and eternal for him.
Cynthia Nixon
Covered but not overly modest. Swaddled in fabric but not drowning in it. Nixon’s pleated Issey Miyake ensemble sailed easily down the carpet.
Keri Russell
It toes the line between Glad bag and not. For us, it’s on the right side of it.
Chase Infiniti
The actress’s beachy waves balanced out the hundreds of shiny baubles that punctuated her custom Louis Vuitton bustier gown.
Paul Downs
He’s usually doing something wacky with Meg Stalter at award shows. On Monday night, he appeared again beside his red carpet counterpart, who dressed up as an Emmy statue. On his own, though, Downs appeared jaunty but earnest.
Youn Yuh-jung
Chic may be an overused word, but this look is definitional.
Carey Mulligan
The corny Instagram caption “a moment for the dress” applies perfectly here for this subtle — but not quiet — gown by the Row. Consider the gently folded neckline, and the delicate embroidery that resembles what happens when you blow a puff of dandelion.
Dan Levy
Another strong case for the double-breasted tux. Levy’s take — with a longer line, exaggerated lapels and a black floral brooch — is more cerebral. And not just because of his silver-framed glasses.
Zendaya
A perfectly piece-y pixie cut added a dose of attitude to a glittering dress by Prada.
Marie Solis contributed reporting.
The post Our 13 Favorite Looks From the Emmys Red Carpet appeared first on New York Times.
