The 2016 Emmys Red Carpet

Queen of Comedy Julia Louis Dreyfus with her 2 Emmy wins Sunday night via LA Times

Is Emmys fashion better than the Oscars?

A bold question, perhaps, but hear me out: we are in Peak TV mode, where the quality (and quantity) of television has hit an all-time high. Game of Thrones is on par, technically and story-wise, with the most epic of film series. Transparent, Master of None, and Orange is the New Black are dealing with issues of racial and gender diversity in a way that the film industry has been slow to do (#OscarsSoWhite ring a bell?). The People v. O.J. Simpson: An American Crime Story gave viewers the chance to reconsider their stances on characters made popular by the media twenty years prior, and confronted the myth of "reality" television and media construction head-on.



I love television, always have. During high school I used shows like Gossip Girl and 90210 to incentivize me to finish my homework before 9pm each night, and now I'm proud to admit I watch quality programs too, like Veep and Orphan Black, among other shows. I devour TV and admire the unique storytelling advantages it has over film, and I'm so glad that the rest of the world has finally recognized the power of television. It's quicker to pick up on the current sociopolitical climate, quicker to be more diverse, and easier to adapt to the responses of the audience. I love movies too, but I think we are in an age—bolstered by Netflix and binge watching—where television is slowly becoming the higher art form.

The Stranger Things cast has officially won my heart via Vogue

When watching the Oscars this year, I found myself less impassioned than usual. I hadn't seen most of the nominated films, so I didn't care who won. Last night, however, while watching the Emmys, I was struggling to pick a favorite to win, because I'd watched most of the nominated shows and loved all of them! How can I force myself to choose between Veep, Transparent, and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt? They're all so good, and so different! With the movie industry lately, I struggle to find things I love; in the television world, I struggle to find things I dislike.

It felt that way with the Emmys red carpet, too. There were few missteps, and mostly everyone looked like a winner. Claire Dane's spray tan was a little too dark, and I questioned Constance Zimmer's and Maisie Williams' bangs, but for the most part I was blown away by the red carpet. People were having fun with what they wore! Lots of bright colors and sequins. I think Sarah Paulson was my pick for best dressed (and best date, for bringing the real Marcia Clark) but there was a lot to love!

Here were my favorite looks of the evening: 

Queens and Khaleesis of the Red Carpet

Emilia Clarke in Atelier Versace | Maisie Williams | Sophie Turner in Valentino

The Game of Thrones girls always deliver on the red carpet. I'm sad that Lena Headey skipped out because I would have loved to see her slay in Cersei's exact costume from the end of Season 6, but the other GoT ladies delivered. Emilia Clarke looked like a Grecian goddess in a nude Versace gown. Sophie Turner debuted a new blonde 'do and wore a pretty black Valentino dress. I think Maisie Williams' bangs overpowered her look, but I loved her green eyeshadow and thought her dress was very cute.

Golden Girls

Ellie Kemper in Jenny Packham | Laverne Cox in Naeem Khan | Kristen Bell in Zuhair Murad Couture
Claire Danes in Schiaparelli Couture | Felicity Huffman in Tony Ward 

Gold was definitely a color trend on the red carpet, and I love how each starlet took the color in a different direction. Kristen Bell and Felicity Huffman opted for muted, nude tones, while Ellie Kemper, Laverne Cox, and Claire Danes layered on the sparkle with plenty of embellishments. I liked Danes' Schiaparelli Couture dress a lot (anytime Schiaparelli appears on the red carpet, I'm happy) but did she seem a little too tan to anyone else?

Red Hot

Portia Doubleday in Giorgio Armani | Tatiana Maslany in Alexander Wang | Priyanka Chopra in Jason Wu

Red is another sure-fire way to demand attention on the red carpet. I adored Mr. Robot star Portia Doubleday's glam Giorgio Armani dress; it reminded me of a 1940s starlet. Tatiana Maslany looked every bit the winner in a chic Alexander Wang dress, and Priyanka Chopra—who I've never seen make a style misstep—looked ethereal in scarlet Jason Wu.

Colors of the Rainbow

Minnie Driver in Versace | Tina Fey | Viola Davis | Emily Ratajkowski in Zac Posen | Taraji P. Henson in Vera Wang

Just like at Fashion Week, bright colors are trending on the red carpet. Yellow, pink, blue, and every other color of the rainbow were everywhere. I for one was quite happy, as I think a bright color is an easy way to make a flattering style statement. All these looks were home runs for me!

Best Dressed

Rami Malek in Christian Dior | Sarah Paulson in Prada

I always love it when the big winners of the evening dress the part, too (sometimes that isn't the case!) and for the 2016 Emmys, Best Actor (Drama Series) Rami Malek and Best Actress (Limited Series) Sarah Paulson were my picks for Best Dressed, too! Rami Malek looked dapper and classically handsome in a white tux jacket from Christian Dior (also, omg those cheekbones), while Sarah Paulson dazzled in emerald green Prada. Both looks were just so chic.

What looks were your favorite? What did you think of the Emmys overall?