By Megan Riedlinger
9:48pm PDT, Sep 22, 2019
Sparkles and sequins! A bevy of ballgowns! The stars turned up in style at the 2019 Primetime Emmys. And though some surprising trends surfaced (red and pink dresses, anyone?), overall it was a fabulous night for fashion on the purple carpet. Now that the statues have been handed out, it's time for Wonderwall.com to round up the fashion hits and misses of the night. First up, one of the most intricate and stunning gowns of the night worn by Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie winner Michelle Williams! The "Fosse/Verdon" star donned this exquisite beaded floral gown by Louis Vuitton that simply isn't done justice from afar. Keep reading to take a closer look and see the rest of the night's best and worst dressed stars!
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This wasn't what we expected to see on Mandy Moore! The Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series nominee selected a custom Brandon Maxwell design in the unexpected color combo of the night — red and pink! Her off-the-shoulder gown started in a silky bubblegum pink with oversized sleeves and gave way to a fitted cherry red skirt with a thigh-high slit. Now let's see this gown from another angle…
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From the side you can see Mandy Moore's Brandon Maxwell gown's exaggerated pink sleeves, and the way she paired the dual-hued frock with red strappy sandals. Though we weren't wild about the funky frock, we did adore her beauty look. See it next!
Mandy Moore channeled Old Hollywood glam when it came to her bold waves. When it came time for makeup she opted for a smokey eye and warm tones, and the "This Is Us" star added some sparkle in the form of Forevermark dangly earrings.
Zendaya competed for best look of the night in this showstopping dark green Vera Wang design. The "Euphoria" star's strapless design started with a sleek lingerie-inspired bodice and gave way to a silky skirt with a thigh-high slit that showed off her matching green Brian Atwood heels. Next up? A better look at her hair, makeup and stunning jewels…
With a standout dress like Zendaya's, it's tough to find jewels that can rival the excellence. Fortunately the star selected these sparklers from Cartier, which started with diamonds before giving way to emeralds that matched her dress perfectly. For hair and makeup, Zendaya rocked her new red hair in loose waves and added a smokey eye and pink lip to complete her A+ ensemble.
One of our least favorite looks of the night? Amy Adams, who wore this underwhelming faux-sheer, long-sleeved Fendi design. Besides the frock not being our favorite, her beauty look was dull as well. See it next…
With the dreary dress choice we hoped to see more exciting hair and makeup on Amy Adams, but the star opted for a dull updo and understated makeup. Our favorite part of her whole ensemble? Those sparkly hoops from Norman Silverman.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie nominee Joey King selected this standout red strapless gown by Zac Posen for the occasion. The star of "The Act" looked like a princess in the full-skirted confection, and if you liked this look from the front, you have to see it from the back!
We adored the bow detail at the back of Joey King's Zac Posen dress, giving it a touch of whimsy from behind. The star, who shaved her head for the role of Gypsy Rose Blanchard for which she's nominated, rocked her short tresses in curls and added the perfect jewels for the occasion. See them next…
To complete her stunning Emmy look, Joey King added ruby and diamond earrings from Swarovski, which matched the red of her Zac Posen gown perfectly and added a little extra sparkle.
Gwyneth Paltrow garnered herself a fashion miss on Emmy night. The star opted for a Valentino design that hailed from 1963, and though we applaud her decision to go vintage, we weren't crazy about her odd choice. The otherwise simple dress with a half sheer, half black satin bodice gave way to a pearly white skirt, but things took a strange turn at the elbow of the sleeves. The design gave way to what looks like strips of sheer fabric, giving a feather-like aesthetic that wasn't needed in our opinion.
Sophie Turner looked like a royal offscreen on Emmy night in this pale pink Louis Vuitton design. The thin-strapped couture creation featured an interesting belt detail and unique paneling down the skirt, as well as a small cutout at the bottom that showed off her strappy silver sandals. Next we'll check out her beauty look and gorgeous necklace…
We loved Sophie Turner's decision to rock a half-up, half-down hairdo, and her warm peachy-toned makeup. The collared diamond necklace was also an ideal pick, complementing her lovely Louis Vuitton dress perfectly.
Maisie Williams's Emmy gown was stunning, but the backstory made it even more beautiful! The star's custom JW Anderson couture was designed by her boyfriend, Reuben Selby, who collaborated with the designer to help create the unique black frock that featured two contrasting styles. With one part sheer black adorned with sparkly polka dots and one part glam silk with an embellishment at the waist, this gown was truly one of a kind and one of our favorite looks of all time from the star.
We were hoping for a standout fashion moment from Emilia Clarke, but the star selected this navy blue Valentino gown that left us wanting a whole lot more. Though the design was daring — with a plunging neckline and sheer paneling at the waist — the hue felt too understated for the "Game of Thrones" beauty's big night. Despite the disappointing dress, Emilia didn't let us down in another department — jewels! See her stunning earrings next!
Emilia Clarke sported stunners from David Webb to spice up her otherwise simple gown. We loved the unique earrings, which featured stones of different shapes and colors that brought just the right amount of sparkle.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge was a big winner on Emmy night, and she certainly selected a worthy dress for all those statues! The "Fleabag" star donned this dreamy champagne Monique Lhuillier gown, which featured a plunging neckline, full skirt and delicate silver embellishments and earned a fashion win in the process.
Sandra Oh's pink Zac Posen? Divine! Her hair style? Not so much. The Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series nominee wore this perfect pink off-the-shoulder number, but when it came time to accessorize and choose a hair style she nullified this amazing pick.
A pretty bubblegum pink gown deserved some daintier jewelry than the drop earrings Sandra Oh chose, but an even weirder choice? The messy updo the "Killing Eve" star rocked on the purple carpet. But we did love her pink-hued makeup!
Dreamy in Dior! Naomi Watts donned this stunning strapless black ballgown from the fashion house, which featured a netted detailing at the neckline, a belt at the waist and a full skirt. Next up, get a better glance at her beauty look and jewels!
To bring some color to her black Dior Haute Couture ballgown, Naomi Watts added a coral lip. And when it came time to add accessories, the star selected delicate diamonds from Harry Winston.
Many times, stars wear looks straight from the runway to award shows. Unfortunately, the looks don't always translate to the red carpet. Take Kendall Jenner's wild Richard Quinn gown, for instance. The star rocked the funky combination of black long-sleeved top and bold red floral to the Primetime Emmys, but the strange look landed among the misses.
It was a bold blue tuxedo for Justin Hartley on Emmy night! The "This Is Us" star arrived in this eye-catching blue-hued ISAIA tux with black lapels . He tied in more dashes of black in the form of a bowtie, boots and an Omega watch for a standout mens look.
We have to admit, we were expecting a lot from Jodie Comer, thanks to the fashionista she plays onscreen, but we were underwhelmed by her white Tom Ford dress on the purple carpet. From the odd cutouts at the shoulders to the plunging neckline to the slits up the front, there were just too many strange things happening on this long-sleeved gown's silhouette. Though we did appreciate that the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series winner added some contrast with those strappy black heels!
Julia Louis-Dreyfus looked statuesque in this gorgeous gold Oscar de la Renta gown. The thin-strapped frock featured intricate beading and paired perfectly with strappy gold Aquazurra shoes. Next up, a look at her jewels…
Though we loved her dress decision, we weren't feeling Julia Louis-Dreyfus's earring selection. She wore these chunky floral Irene Neuwirth dangling earrings that didn't mesh well with the glamour of her Oscar de la Renta gown.
As much as we love a bold menswear moment, we weren't fans of RuPaul's suit selection. The loud pink printed choice was certainly quirky, but it unfortunately landed him on the miss list.
Did you expect Catherine O'Hara to show up in anything other than a black and white ensemble? The Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series nominee paid homage to her "Schitt's Creek" alter ego Moira Rose with her sleek black and white long-sleeved gown, which looked like it was plucked from the character's closet.
Another "Schitt's Creek" star looking sharp? Dan Levy, who opted for an unexpected tuxedo color on Emmy night — chocolate brown! We loved the departure, and the way he added a classic white dress shirt and bowtie.
We adore "Game of Thrones" star Gwendoline Christie's wild style, but we couldn't get behind her regal Gucci moment on the Emmy carpet. Though it was certainly a bold statement, it felt more costume-like than couture and landed on our miss list.
"Game of Thrones" hunk Kit Harington looked quite dapper on Emmy night in a black tuxedo with a white dress shirt. We liked his decision to go sans tie (or bowtie!), and the way it set him apart from the other gentlemen in attendance.
Julia Garner is a rising fashion star, but she made a fashion misstep at the Emmys. The Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series winner matched the purple carpet in this Cong Tri design. Unfortunately the odd one long-sleeved cut with a bizarre cutout at the waist and largely sheer skirt fell flat and definitely did not mesh with those chunky black platforms.
"Schitt's Creek" beauty Annie Murphy stunned on the purple carpet in navy blue. The star's long-sleeved, sequined gown featured a plunging neckline and a sleek silhouette that was a perfect pick for Emmy night.
Another stellar sparkly blue moment? Rachel Brosnahan's Emmy ensemble! Though the "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" star's fashion is usually divisive on red carpets, this look netted nearly unanimous cheers. The sequined dark blue frock featured a halter-style neckline and a slit up the front that showcased her strappy matching sandals.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series nominee Christina Applegate picked a lovely Vera Wang design for Emmy night, but the color left us wanting more. The dreary gray shade underwhelmed, despite the interesting cut and ruffled tulle detailing.
Serving up some perfect Princess Jasmine vibes, Jameela Jamil arrived at the Emmys in this stunning Monique Lhuillier confection in the Disney Princess's signature pale turquoise shade. The ballgown stood apart from other basic designs on the purple carpet with its one off-the-shoulder sleeve and unique and tiny cutout on the side of the bodice. The "The Good Place" star added a bold coral lip and some gorgeous accessories to the mix, which we'll check out next…
Look at that sparkler on Jameela Jamil's right hand! The star rocked the beautiful bling from David Webb, as well as a bracelet and turquoise earrings by the designer, to complement her show-stopping Monique Lhuillier gown.
Another stellar turquoise look on the purple carpet? Regina King's stunning Jason Wu Collection dress, which featured delicate embellishments and a halter style neckline paired with thin straps. We loved the look of her design's delicate train and the way she paired it with those metallic Christian Louboutin pumps.
Well, we knew Billy Porter's Emmys look wouldn't be boring. The "POSE" star (and Lead Actor in a Drama Series winner!) arrived on the purple carpet in this custom Michael Kors striped suit embellished with more than 100,000 crystals. And though we were fans of the standout suit, it was his hat choice that transformed this look into a miss. Get a better look at his headwear next…
Billy Porter donned a custom hat from world famous milliner Stephen Jones, but the bold and unusual shape and size of the brim looked cartoonish and detracted from what was otherwise a chic getup.
Dascha Polanco brought some romantic drama to the purple carpet at the Emmys, and the results were wonderful! The star donned this custom white off-the-shoulder Christian Siriano gown with long sleeves and dashes of pink in the form of a belt and over-the-top bow sleeves, which we'll see from another angle next…
Dascha Polanco's pretty pink and white gown was already gorgeous, but the oversized bow sleeves cemented this look as a surefire hit. And her gorgeous drop earrings by Irene Lummertz Jewelry were just icing on the cake.
Representing in emerald green for the gentlemen? Mahershala Ali, who wore this sharp tuxedo by Ermenegildo Zegna XXX that put him in contention for best dressed man of the night.
Is it a pantsuit? A dress with black stripes? An optical illusion? Melanie Liburd served up a flagrant fashion miss with this funky ensemble — which was actually a pantsuit complete with a tulle-topped bodice and a peplum at the waist. The look would have been a win on its own, but the over-the-top train ruined the whole look for us. Next up, a better look at that detail…
Sometimes too much of a good thing is not a good thing. Case in point? The tulle on Melanie Liburd's Emmy ensemble. This ridiculously lengthy train ruined an otherwise totally unique jumpsuit we could have really got behind.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie nominee Vera Farmiga was a vision in red at the Emmys. The "When They See Us" star opted for an elegant ruby red gown by Ryan Roche with a long sleeves and a high-neck detail all in delicate lace for a gorgeous romantic vibe.
Another pink and red moment tonight? Marisa Tomei's Ralph & Russo gown. Despite the bright color combo (that was certainly a trend on the red carpet!), the overdone one-shouldered, thigh-high slit silhouette made this look entirely underwhelming amongst other standout looks on the purple carpet.
"Glow" star Betty Gilpin kept things simple in a black ballgown with delicate sparkling embellishments by Jason Wu to the Emmys. The star, who was up for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, selected the classically beautiful silhouette and opted for an equally simple beauty look. She wore her hair down and parted in the center and rocked pale pink-hued makeup.
Yikes! Laura Linney's Emmy look was party on top, business on the bottom. It started with a one-shouldered sparkly long-sleeved dress before giving way to black trousers — with pockets! — for a very confusing purple carpet getup. And though we weren't fans of the hybrid look, we did like those silver pointy-toe pumps she paired it with.
Though it was an unexpected selection, we loved Lena Headey's floral frock from Brock Collection. The "Game of Thrones" beauty, who was up for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, wore this beautiful bell-sleeved design, which featured a black bow detail and culminated in a delicate train.
Taraji P. Henson got in on the pink and red trend, but unfortunately we weren't feeling her caped frock with a plunging neckline and a sky-high slit up the front. Of all the red and pink designs on the purple carpet, this one was our least favorite.
Ava DuVernay had a regal Reem Acra moment at the Emmys, donning this custom champagne creation for the big event. From the high-neck to the long sleeves to the full tulle skirt, the gown was covered with delicate sequins to give it a beautiful contrasting metallic vibe for a look that was an instant hit on our list.
We'll always adore the man who brought us Dawson Leery, but even starring on our favorite WB show doesn't excuse this outfit. James Van Der Beek's look started out strong with a bold rosy velvet tuxedo jacket, but the matchy-matchy dress shirt and bow tie lost us and the fact that he completed the look with sock-less loafers solidified this as a miss.
Laverne Cox rocked mounds and mounds of tulle in this frothy Monsoori frock, which featured a black bodice with an embellished detail at one sleeve and a full skirt in a lovely light lavender shade. She accessorized her fashion win with Lorraine Schwartz jewels and an custom clutch by Edie Parker.
Sarah Silverman isn't known for her stellar sartorial selections, so we weren't shocked when she arrived at the Emmys in a minidress. Her black and white dress was an odd pick for the glamorous night, made stranger with those super casual boots.
Jenny McCarthy went for an edgy Cinderella vibe at the Primetime Emmys, rocking a strapless pale blue frock with one off-the-shoulder sleeve and an asymmetrical high-low hemline. And though this dress might have been nothing special on its own, her accessory choices made it more interesting. She added a studded black belt at the waist and chunky black boots, which we'll take a better look at next…
We loved Jenny McCarthy's black heeled boots, which featured studs that matched her equally unexpected black belt. These twists on her otherwise feminine blue ballgown made her look stand out in just the right way.
Another miss on Emmy night? Robin Wright, who opted for a white, Grecian-inspired design on the purple carpet, tied with a black belt detail at the waist. Though the gown stood out amongst a sea of sequins and ballgowns, it was a bit of a bore in comparison.
Mario Lopez looked sharp in a classic black suit — but he had an interesting accessory on TV's biggest night. The star was rocking a sling after recently undergoing surgery for a torn bicep.
Though we loved the floral printed, long-sleeved frock Aidy Bryant sported on the Emmy carpet, it didn't seem dressy enough for the glamorous occasion. The midi-length design paired with metallic pink platform sandals looked ready for a fun night out, but not dressy enough for television's biggest night.
So sophisticated! Kelly Osbourne donned a floor-length, short-sleeved black gown with a sleek cutout above the waist at the Primetime Emmys, and though we loved the silhouette of this gown, we loved her hair and makeup even more! The star rocked a purple hair color that matched the Emmy carpet, and we've got to take a closer look…
We adored Kelly Osbourne's bold purple hued hairstyle, and the way she topped it with a black bow to complement her gown. For makeup she rocked a killer smokey eye and pink lip, completing this stellar look perfectly.
We bet when Kristin Cavallari opted for a not so mellow yellow ballgown by Nicole + Felicia Couture at the Emmys, she didn't realize she'd be matching the step and repeat! The reality star rocked this design with a thigh-high slit and structured strapless neckline, and we loved that pop of color and the way she paired it with matching cheery yellow pointy-toe pumps.
