Save a couple huge wins — Westworld‘s Thandie Newton, Game of Thrones‘ Peter Dinklage — and a tear-worthy proposal (not Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell), last night’s Emmys were a total snore … but thank the gods for the fashion. Folks finally came out in brilliant color; a reflective rainbow of glorious, bright, celebratory color, and we are all the better for basking in the beauty. Let’s have a look at the sartorial splendor.
Vivaciously Vivid, Best of Those Dressed (I didn’t catch any nudists):
Dakota Fanning in Dior
Beautiful color, and one we don’t often see on the awards circuit.
Tiffany Haddish in Prabal Gurung
This look was so flattering, and a salute to Haddish’s Eritrean heritage.
Allison Janney in Prabal Gurung
Stunning … simply stunning.
Thandie Newton in Brandon Maxwell
Goddess, who clearly recognizes her *cough* fellow supreme beings; “I don’t believe in god but I’m going to thank her tonight.”
Sandra Oh in Ralph and Russo
Love the details at the top of this dress (the matchy-matchy shoes, not so much).
Leslie Jones in Christian Siriano
I feel like for some reason I shouldn’t like this (shades of My Little Pony) as much as I do, but I ADORE it.
Ru Paul in Calvin Klein
Impeccable.
Adina Porter in Rubin and Chapelle
This whole look is amazing.
Samira Wiley in Jenny Packham
Simple and elegant.
Nothing Basic About This Black:
Angela Sarafyan in Christian Siriano
Magical — the constellation look takes this dress next level. And not for nothing, but Christian Siriano’s (Project Runway) designs were all over the red carpet. Good on him!
Evan Rachel Wood in Altuzarra
Love the way Evan plays with tuxedo looks at award ceremonies.
White Done Right:
Angela Bassett in Azzia and Osta
Penelope Cruz in Chanel Haute Couture
This stunning gown makes me feel a little breathless … or maybe it’s Penelope.
A … lmost; Just Missed Looks (Plus, Yellow Is a Thing):
Gwendoline Christie in unknown
Were this in another, non-satin material, it would be perfection. Regardless, Christie’s attitude pretty much carries it off — fabulous! Comparatively, Judith Light‘s Christian Siriano fits like a glove. Would that the neckline weren’t so high.
Alison Brie in Miu Miu
There’s something off with the fit of this dress, it looks slightly too big; otherwise, it’s quite lovely.
Alexis Bledel in Delpozo
The bottom of this dress, with the sheer yellow overlay, is very pretty — but there’s something juvenile about the top, and I want to pluck off those embellishments.
Issa Rae in Vera Wang
The color is stunning on her and I like the idea of this — the execution on the bottom looks a bit sloppy, and again, the embellishment on the top isn’t right.
Michelle Dockery in Carolina Herrera
Gorgeous color … and that’s all I’ve got.
Not the Best, and Not Terrible, Either AKA Consider Me Meh:
Zazie Beetz in Ralph Lauren
Betty Gilpin in Vera Wang
Rachel Brosnahan in Oscar de la Renta
Kate McKinnon in Alexander Wang
Regina King in Christian Siriano
Ellie Kemper in J. Mendel
Tatiana Maslany in Christian Siriano
Megan Mullally in Carolina Herrera
Kristen Bell in Solace London
Constance Wu in Jason Wu
Nathalie Emmanuel in Stella McCartney
Aidy Bryant in Tanya Taylor
Mandy Moore in custom Rodarte
Tina Fey in Elie Saab
Emilia Clarke in Dior
Yvonne Strahovski in Warm
Elisabeth Moss in Vera Wang
Claire Foy in Calvin Klein
Boobs Behaving Badly (AKA Give The Ladies Some Support, Please)
Sarah Paulson in Oscar de la Renta
Ilana Glazer in Bibhu Mohapatra and Abbi Jacobson in Antonio Berardi
Illana doesn’t have enough support (straps loose?) and the bust line of Abbi’s gown is just wrong (looks like a frilled bra).
What Is Happening?
Laura Dern in Thom Browne
Taraji P. Henson in Giambattista Valli
Connie Britton (that hair!) in Sachin & Babi
Milly Bobbie Brown in Calvin Klein
Samantha Bee in unknown
Worst Dress (No Contest):
Amy Sedaris in Adam Selman
Not Far Behind …
Vanessa Kirby in Tom Ford
Needs color and something over this … undergarment?
Tracee Ellis Ross in Repossi
Let’s Hear It for the Boys:
Queer Eye‘s Jonathan Van Ness, Bobby Berk, Tan France, Antoni Porowski, Karamo Brown
Hottest Prints:
Darren Criss in Emporio Armani
Luke Evans in Hugo Boss
Boys to Men:
Stranger Things‘ Gaten Matarazzo, Noah Schnapp, Caleb McLaughlin, David Harbour
Best of the Rest:
Trevor Noah in Musika Frère
LaKeith Stanfield in Ermenegildo Zegna
Milo Ventimiglia in Brunello Cucinelli
Hmm …
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Kit Harington
I’m Sure There Are Stranger Things, But Just … No
Joe Keery
Perfect Pairings:
Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor
Connie Britton and Sarah Paulson
Tracy Morgan and Bill Hader
Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy
Sterling K. Brown and Ryan Michelle Bathe
Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons
Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost
Darren Criss and Mia Swier
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend
Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys
Luke Evans and Daniel Bruhl
Alexis Bledel and Vincent Kartheiser AKA Rory Gilmore and Pete Campbell
Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake (I actually love her Ralph and Russo dress)
Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter (rumored to be with Pen-Wing)
Peter Dinklage and Erica Schmidt
Tiffany Haddish and Angela Bassett (Wakanda forever!)