The 48 best Emmy Awards outfits of all time
Susanna Heller,Chloe Pantazi,Celia Fernandez  Â
- The Primetime Emmy Awards have been a red-carpet extravaganza since 1949.
- Every year celebrities show up wearing everything from over-the-top gowns to simple suits.
- Here's a look back at some of the best outfits celebrities wore to the Emmy awards ever.
Arguably, the best part of watching an awards show is seeing the extravagant and sometimes outlandish outfits that stars flaunt on the red carpet.
The Primetime Emmy Awards, which honor TV's biggest names, is no exception and never disappoints when it comes to celebrity fashion.
We're taking a look back at some of the most stunning looks celebrities have worn to the annual awards show, with styles featuring simple silhouettes, ruffles, and subtle cutouts.
From Dinah Shore's floral white dress in 1956 to Issa Rae's asymmetrical red dress in 2017, we rounded up the best outfits celebrities have worn to the Emmys.
In 1956, Dinah Shore wore a white gown with a geometric floral pattern to the awards show.
The actress, who was best known for her eponymous show "The Dinah Shore Show," also wore white gloves that reached her elbow and small earrings.
In 1963, Annette Funicello wore a textured white gown and gloves that extended past her elbows to the Emmys.
The "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" actress also wore '60s beauty hallmarks like winged eyeliner and voluminous hair.
In 1977, Lindsay Wagner wore a sequined black dress with asymmetrical straps.
The "Bionic Woman" actress styled her hair in natural-looking waves for a more laid-back look.
In 1985, Diahann Carroll of "Dynasty" wore a black dress with a bejeweled trim and straps.
Carroll added to the old Hollywood vibe of her outfit by wearing heavy eye makeup, red lipstick, and statement earrings.
Holly Hunter wore a silver gown and a stack of three necklaces to the 1994 awards show.
By keeping her outfit and accessories simple, the "Crazy in Love" star proved that less can be more when it comes to fashion.
Oprah Winfrey wore a gold gown with a floral pattern to the 1996 awards show.
Winfrey, who is best known for "The Oprah Winfrey Show," finished her outfit with an elaborate updo, a single diamond bracelet, and brown lipstick.
In 2000, Lucy Liu wore a sheer green strapless gown to the Emmys.
The "Ally McBeal" actress completed the ensemble with a pair of peep-toe heels, minimal jewelry, a silver clutch, and large curls.
Jeri Ryan wore a black slip dress with leaf-like details to the awards show in 2002.
Ryan, who is known for her work on "Star Trek," finished the look with curled hair and a single diamond bracelet.
In 2004, Jennifer Aniston wore a strapless gown with delicate gold and pearl embroidery.
The "Friends" star paired her dress with understated makeup, a gold bracelet, and pearl earrings.
Amber Tamblyn wore a maroon mermaid-style dress that featured slit-like cutouts to the Emmys in 2004.
Tamblyn, who was nominated for her role in "Joan of Arcadia," finished her outfit with magenta lipstick and diamond jewelry.
In 2005, Mischa Barton wore a skin-colored gown flecked with matching sequins.
Barton, who is known for her role on "The O.C.," tied this elegant look together with a sleek updo, dangling earrings, and a pearl bracelet.
Olivia Wilde wore a silver cap sleeve gown with an empire waist to the 2008 awards show.
"The O.C." actress also loosely curled her hair before securing it in an updo.
In 2009, Drew Barrymore wore a light pink gown with sequin and tulle details.
Barrymore, who was nominated for her work on "Tough Love," tied this ensemble together with a pink purse, red lipstick, and a chic updo.
Rose Byrne wore a light beige gown that featured jewels in a spiral pattern to the 2009 show.
The "Damages" star kept her hair, makeup, and accessories simple, which allowed the dynamic dress to shine.
Clare Danes wore a strapless, sequin-emblazoned gown to the Emmys in 2010.
The "Homeland" actress topped off this ornate outfit with large curls, heavy eyeliner, and light pink lipstick.
In 2011, Nina Dobrev wore a strapless red gown with a dramatic, ruffled train.
"The Vampire Diaries" star upped the edgy vibe on this outfit with dark eye makeup, a bejeweled choker, and large curls.
Gwyneth Paltrow wore a lace two-piece ensemble with mesh accents to the awards show in 2011.
Paltrow, who appeared in "Glee" for several seasons, finished this sophisticated look with strappy black heels, black and white bejeweled bracelets, and lots of eyeliner.
Aaron Paul chose a distinct brown tuxedo with a beige bow tie for his Emmys outfit in 2012.
Although a black and white tux is a classic move, the "Breaking Bad" actor proved that experimental suits can be fashionable too.
Linda Cardellini wore a tiered magenta dress to the 2013 Emmy Awards.
Cardellini of "Mad Men" and "Freaks and Geeks" complemented this sophisticated dress with beachy waves and geometric earrings.
In 2014, Michelle Dockery wore a multicolored gown that featured a small cutout and cape-like sides.
Dockery of "Downton Abbey" fame complemented the cool hues on her dress with delicate jewelry, pink lipstick, and a sleek updo.
Niecy Nash wore an off-the-shoulder gown with 3D floral details to the Emmys in 2015.
Nash of "Scream Queens" also sported matching red accessories, soft curls, and subtle makeup.
In 2015, Allison Janney wore an off-the-shoulder, semi-sheer black grown with cutout details on the sides.
The "West Wing" actress upped her vampy aesthetic with delicate waves, dark eye makeup, and a stack of silver bracelets.
The same year, Laverne Cox wore an elegant teal gown with small cutouts on the side to the Emmy Awards.
The "Orange is the New Black" star finished her outfit with a smokey eye, brown lipstick, and a diamond bracelet.
Also in 2015, Cox's "Orange is the New Black" costar Taylor Schilling wore a backless one-shoulder gown to the Emmys.
Schilling rocked yellow from head to toe, notably sporting a matching purse and pair of sandals.
Trevor Jackson wore a maroon velvet tuxedo with black trim to the 2016 Emmys.
Jackson, who is known for his work on "American Crime," completed this modern suit with a black bow tie.
Tatiana Maslany of "Orphan Black" wore a red gown with cutouts to the 2016 Emmy Awards.
Maslany completed this polished look with a pair of dangling diamond earrings and an updo.
January Jones wore a strapless peplum gown that featured a geometric pattern to the awards show in 2016.
The "Mad Men" actress' dress was made of a thick, structured material on top and traditional fabric on the bottom.
In 2016, Kristen Bell wore a beige floral gown with a dramatic empire waist.
Bell, who was nominated for her role in "House of Lies," completed her ensemble with tousled waves, a diamond bracelet, and dramatic eye makeup.
Tracee Ellis Ross of "Blackish" wore a beautiful one-shoulder gown with oversized earrings to the Emmy Awards in 2016.
Ross' gown featured a cutout on one side and a leg-exposing slit. She finished the outfit with a pair of white pointed-toe heels.
Also in 2016, Emilia Clarke of "Game of Thrones" wore a simple yet stunning strapless beige dress.
The actress, known for playing Daenerys Targaryen, wore minimal jewelry and neutral-toned makeup to let her dress shine.
"Insecure" star Issa Rae rocked the one-shoulder trend at the 2017 Emmys, wearing a stunning red dress with asymmetrical sleeves designed by Vera Wang.
In the same year, "Atlanta" star Donald Glover wore a deep purple suit with contrasting black lapels and bowtie.
He added a yellow pocket square to his suit for another pop of color.
At the same awards show, Priyanka Chopra looked flawless in a white, long-sleeved gown with a metallic pattern and a statement feather train.
She styled her hair in a sleek high ponytail, and wore dark-pink lipstick and plenty of eyeliner to add even more drama to her look.
Meanwhile, "Westworld" actress Tessa Thompson wowed in a multicolored dress with a pleated skirt, cutout details, and a halter neckline.
Her dress has a futuristic style that wouldn't look out of place on an episode of "Westworld."
At the same event in 2017, Nicole Kidman wore a beautiful red gown with a halter neckline and silver necklace detail.
She contrasted her red dress with a pair of pink heeled sandals.
At the 2018 awards show, RuPaul stood out in a white Calvin Klein suit.
RuPaul's suit was embellished with an Andy Warhol print of the Statue of Liberty. He brought a pop of color with orange Western boots from the same designer.
In 2018, Sandra Oh looked like a vision in a red velvet and beaded gown with a plunging neckline.
The actress made history that year when she became the first woman of Asian descent to land a nomination for outstanding lead actress in a drama for her role as Eve Polastri in the hit BBC series "Killing Eve."
The same year, Scarlett Johansson went for an edgy look in a white Balmain dress.
Johansson paired the plunging neckline and thigh-high slit gown with silver metallic ankle-strap sandals and Nikos Koulis jewelry.
Issa Rae looked like a modern-day princess in a custom Vera Wang jumpsuit.
Rae's baby-blue jumpsuit was designed with a sheer train.
In 2018, Kristen Bell looked gorgeous in a form-fitting Solace London gown.
The actress paired her dress with Forevermark Diamonds and Giuseppe Zanotti heels.
At the 2018 awards show, Thandie Newton went for a '60s vibe in a custom Brandon Maxwell gown.
The "Westworld" star wore a dress straight from the designer's 2019 runway show. She paired it with Lorraine Schwartz jewels.
Jessica Biel's Ralph & Russo gown at the 2018 Emmys was whimsical.
Biel's dress was featured in the designer's fall-winter 2018 couture collection and was made with a dramatic train and skirt. She accessorized with a white Terry Ellis clutch and Harry Winston jewelry.
Tracee Ellis Ross stood out at the 2018 Emmys in a pink Valentino gown.
Ross brought all the drama with her large sleeves and full skirt. She paired her over-the-top gown with Tamara Mellon heels, Repossi jewels, and an Edie Parker clutch.
Regina King arrived at the 2018 Emmys in a neon-yellow Christian Siriano dress.
She paired the gown with Irene Neuwirth jewelry.
Billy Porter arrived at the 2019 Emmys in a disco-inspired Michael Kors suit with a custom Stephen Jones hat.
Porter's look was inspired by the designer's Fall 2019 and Resort 2010 collections.
Emilia Clarke looked stunning in this navy-blue gown with a plunging neckline.
Clarke chose to wear a Valentino design for the awards show.
Mandy Moore wore a custom Brandon Maxwell design at the 2019 Emmys.
In 2019, Phoebe Waller-Bridge looked stunning in a Monique Lhuillier gown.
The creator of "Fleabag" accessorized her glittering dress with Atelier Swarovski jewelry.
- Read more:
- Here are the 2020 Emmy nominees
- Here's what 52 best actress winners have worn to the Emmys
- 'Game of Thrones' fans think Gwendoline Christie's Emmys dress had a subtle nod to Brienne and Jaime's love story
- The 'Game of Thrones' cast dazzled on the red carpet for the show's last-ever Emmys. Here are the 14 show-stopping looks.
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