2025-09-15T02:33:03Z
Share
Facebook
Email
X
LinkedIn
Reddit
Bluesky
WhatsApp
Copy link
lighning bolt icon
An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.
Impact Link
Save
Saved
Read in app
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.
Become an Insider and start reading now.
Have an account?
Log in.
The 77th edition of the prestigious Emmy Awards took place on Sunday evening at the renowned Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, an event that brought together the brightest stars of television for a night filled with glamour, artistry, and celebration. While the evening served as a showcase for television’s finest achievements, the red carpet—as always—became its own stage, one where celebrities displayed daring interpretations of high fashion. Some luminaries dazzled audiences with sartorial brilliance, but others faltered with choices that proved less successful, reminding us that bold risks on such a visible stage do not always pay off.
Although the ceremony was filled with excitement, celebrity interactions, and dazzling gowns, certain ensembles sparked heated conversation for the wrong reasons. While Selena Gomez and Hunter Schafer received universal acclaim for their striking crimson creations, and Pedro Pascal drew attention for his crisp, white suit, a number of other attendees presented looks that critics viewed as disjointed, overwhelming, or mismatched for the occasion. The following examples illustrate how ambitious design concepts or unconventional accessories sometimes disrupted an otherwise promising look.
Abby Elliott, best known for her work in “The Bear,” attended in a floor-length white gown that initially seemed steeped in ethereal elegance. The sheer overlay shimmered with a delicate floral motif, and the bodice featured both corset-like structure and romantically exaggerated puffy sleeves. A skirt edged in lace cascaded from the waist, tied together with a prominent black bow belt and matching shoes. Yet, while each element carried beauty on its own, collectively, the combination felt dissonant and heavy-handed. The contrasting black accessories clashed instead of elevated, rendering the outfit less harmonious. Without the darker accents, the gown could perhaps have embraced a more unified, graceful aesthetic.
Comedian and actor Paul W. Downs demonstrated his willingness to experiment with menswear by appearing in a Wales Bonner tuxedo distinguished by high-waisted trousers and a cropped jacket. Eschewing traditional red carpet formality, Downs left his white shirt unbuttoned at the collar, slipping the tie beneath rather than around it. While such risk-taking injects freshness into the predictable sphere of tuxedos, the unusual tie placement appeared more distracting than avant-garde. A fully unknotted tie or the absence of one altogether might have lent the outfit an air of deliberate minimalism rather than unfinished disarray.
Actress Fiona Dourif’s Tom Ford ensemble epitomized the tension between artistry and excess. Her floor-length black gown carried an elegant silhouette, complete with long sleeves and a modest high neckline. However, much of the dress was interspersed with sheer cutouts—at the sides of the skirt and down the center of the bodice. Dourif’s choice of bold makeup and a relaxed hairstyle could not offset the overwhelming effect of the many transparent panels, which gave the gown a slightly chaotic air. Reducing the sheer elements and opting for a sleek coiffure might have redirected attention back to the sophistication of the design.
Veteran actress Parker Posey took an imaginative approach in a custom creation by Valentino. The deep purple garment incorporated nearly every eye-catching feature imaginable: a sweetheart neckline, voluminous puffed sleeves, a tightly fitted bodice that transitioned into a tiered and lace-accented skirt, and finally, a sheer shrug with fuzzy trim. Posey accessorized further with a statement green choker, creating a clash of textures and tones. Although undeniably striking, the profusion of details competed rather than coalesced. With fewer accessories—or simply by removing the shrug and necklace—the look could have embraced a femininely dramatic yet far more polished quality.
Actor Timothy Simons disrupted expectations of men’s formalwear with a custom Brooks Brothers suit that paired a standard jacket and button-down shirt with tailored shorts, rolled neatly above the knee. Styled with long socks and lace-up boots, the outfit’s deep-green shade offered a refreshing departure from the monotony of black tuxedos. However, on the Emmy red carpet, shorts projected a more casual energy than the gravitas the occasion invites. The absence of a tie further reinforced a sense of incompleteness, leaving the ensemble appearing experimental yet unsuitable for television’s grandest night.
Music artist Halsey appeared in a Jean Paul Gaultier gown notable for its shimmering, snakeskin-inspired texture. Its plunging neckline descended to the navel before gathering in a bold knot over the waist, from which ruched fabric flowed outward. Yet, despite the gown’s visual strength, the fit seemed askew. The padded shoulders exaggerated her proportions, and the voluminous skirt disrupted balance, diminishing the fluidity that Gaultier designs often achieve. A slimmer, tailored skirt could have preserved the boldness while simultaneously creating necessary harmony.
Rita Ora embraced minimalistic playfulness with a pale yellow Miu Miu dress outlined in white trim. The neckline dipped daringly low, a bow accentuated the waist, and the high slit revealed a confident edge. Nevertheless, the light fabric—more reminiscent of breezy summer attire—conjured images of seaside leisure rather than formal refinement. Such a look might have sparkled at the VMAs or another playful celebration, but under the formal spotlight of the Emmys, it felt misplaced and insufficiently elevated.
Sarah Paulson, recognized for her penchant for drama in fashion, attended in a feather-draped Marc Jacobs gown. The tea-length, off-the-shoulder dress was engulfed entirely in plumes, producing a skirt of significant volume. While feathers delight with their whimsy, here they verged on excess, eclipsing Paulson’s figure. A structured bodice integrated into the feathery design could have supplied order, transforming costume-like exuberance into sculptural sophistication.
Similarly, actor Michael Urie’s otherwise commendable maroon suit—a double-breasted design featuring cropped trousers darkening towards the ankles—was undermined by one peculiar choice. A feathery trim at a single lapel injected distraction into what might have been a bold but impeccable ensemble. Without the errant fluff, the design would have embodied effortless modern tailoring rather than theatrical eccentricity.
Charlotte Le Bon, acclaimed for her appearance in “The White Lotus,” entrusted Courrèges with a metallic silver dress woven in gleaming chainmail fabric. Accentuating her figure, with sleek long sleeves and a high neckline, the gown commanded attention on its own. Unfortunately, Le Bon coupled the striking garment with tan shoe boots resembling casual socks and oversized hoop earrings, diminishing the futuristic appeal of the dress. By eliminating heavy accessories, she could have allowed the textured garment itself to shine.
Country singer Lainey Wilson opted for a hybrid ensemble that merged western motifs with haute couture. A white halter bodice crossed the waistline, flowing behind her in an elongated train, while sheer, crystal-adorned trousers peeked through the front. Completing the ensemble was a statement cowboy hat, a nod to her roots. However, the heavily embellished trousers drew focus away from the rest of the attire, resulting in a fragmented presentation. Consistent fabric choices between the pants and top could have grounded the look, achieving a more cohesive vision.
Altogether, the 77th Emmy Awards witnessed a fascinating spectrum of fashion experimentation. Some stars cemented their reputations as red carpet icons through refined elegance, while others faltered under the weight of excessive detail, mismatched styling, or misplaced informality. The event reaffirmed that in high-profile spaces such as the Emmys, every design decision—from fabric to accessory—can elevate or compromise the wearer’s statement, leaving an indelible impression on audiences worldwide.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/emmys-worst-dressed-red-carpet-looks-2025-9
