Zendaya, Jenna Ortega & More Best Dressed Stars at the Emmys Ever

How to Watch the Emmys 2026 and Live From E! Red CarpetAnd the award for the best dressed goes to… well, a lot of celebrities. After all, the Emmy Awards red carpet has been the place for stars to show off a sleek suit, a couture gown or unforgettable jewels. And, yes, no one has risen to that challenge quite like Zendaya. Indeed, the Euphoria star—who is nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series at the 2026 Emmys Sept. 14 thanks to her role in the HBO series—has always debuted the best looks on the red carpet. She kept her ensemble chic as ever at the 2022 Emmys—where she nabbed her second Lead Actress trophy for playing Rue Bennett—stepping out in a black Valentino ballgown with a peplum bodice, adorned with a bow. But her Poison Ivy-inspired ensemble at the 2019 award show—a custom silk charmeuse Vera Wang with a sheer corset and cut-to-there slit—was the real showstopper.For Zendaya, her ensembles have served as more than just award-winning looks. "Fashion, in many ways, is a tool for me," she told Vanity Fair in November 2024. "I consider myself a shyer person, which I guess you wouldn't quite realize from the crazy, sometimes ridiculous things that I wear. But it's my armor." In fact, she and stylist Law Roach even developed characters for each outfit they pulled. "We give them little backstories," she continued. "It does help to create this little persona every time you come out. I just embody this girl—whoever this woman is tonight. It makes the whole process easier because it's not yourself; it's a version of yourself." She isn't the only star trying something new at the Emmys. For instance, Seth Rogen has opted for bolder color, stepping out in a pumpkin-spice Brioni look in 2021 and an all-white Brunello Cucinelli tuxedo the following year.Frazer Harrison/Getty Images"Last year was my first full-on awards season that I've been invited to participate in any capacity," he told GQ in July 2023. "It's a lot of black tie and tuxedos, which I'm not usually wearing 15 of in a year." "With tuxedos, I try to go for color," Rogen—who accepted his Outstanding Lead Actor trophy for The Studio at the 2025 event in a brown velvet custom Etro number—continued, "and there was a green silk tuxedo I almost wore that I was pretty excited about." Meanwhile, we're stoked that stars like Jenna Ortega, Angelina Jolie and Reese Witherspoon have also made their name as best-dressed celebs at the Emmy Awards. As we wait to see how the stars will dress to impress at the Sept. 14 Emmys, airing live on NBC, keep reading for a closer look at the most stylish attendees over the years.Tommaso Boddi/Getty ImagesSeth RogenThe Studio star's custom Etro tuxedo at the 2025 award show was more than Supergood.Kevin Mazur/Getty ImagesJenna OrtegaTwo snaps are in order for the Wednesday star's jewel-encrusted Givenchy look at the 2025 award show. Rich Fury/Getty ImagesAnya Taylor-JoyHello yellow! The Queen's Gambit actress glowed in her bright Dior dress with Tiffany & Co. jewelry at the 2021 award show. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty ImagesZendayaThe Euphoria star took the red carpet by storm for the 2019 ceremony. From the vibrant emerald green hue to the sheer corset bodice, her custom Vera Wang dress was one to remember.Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesReese WitherspoonThe Big Little Lies star shined bright at the 2022 ceremony in a glitzy blue strapless gown.Jim Smeal/WireImageAngelina JolieA total stunner! The actress made a grand entrance at the 1998 star-studded ceremony with this body-hugging blush gown.Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesSusan Kelechi WatsonThe This Is Us actress shined as bright as the cameras in this shimmery off-the-shoulder gown.Getty ImagesJoan CollinsKnown for her ~extra~ glamorous fashion sense, the Dynasty star brought the drama to the 1987 awards ceremony with this red-hot gown.Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesTracee Ellis RossThe Black-ish star showed up and showed out in this hot pink Valentino Haute Couture gown.Trae Patton/NBC via Getty ImagesQuinta BrunsonThe Abbott Elementary star lit up the red carpet in a glitzy metallic bronze getup.Rich Fury/Getty ImagesEllen PompeoWho says you have to wear a dress? The Grey's Anatomy star switched things up in 2021 by wearing an Elie Saab black velvet jumpsuit with crystal embroidery. John Shearer/WireImagePriyanka ChopraThe actress was a vision in white as she graced the red carpet in a dreamy custom-made Balmain gown.John Shearer/WireImageViola DavisOrange you glad the legendary star added a pop of color to the 2017 Emmys? The answer is yes.David Fisher/REX/ShutterstockMichelle DockeryThe 2018 Emmy nominee brought whimsy and magic to the star-studded ceremony with a baby blue number by Carolina Herrera.Jordan Strauss/Invision/APKeri RussellThe Hollywood star sizzled in a sexy feathered black dress at the 2018 Emmys.Steve Granitz/Getty ImagesJanuary JonesThis figure-flattering Versace peplum stole the show at the 2009 Emmys. While the dress had a futuristic feel, it still has classic details that make it timeless. J. Merritt/Getty ImagesClaire FoySometimes less is more. And in this case, it worked with Claire's ultra-chic black jumpsuit by Oscar de la Renta.Getty ImagesRue McClanahanAll that glitters is gold and Rue proved it with a glitzy design at the 1990 Emmys.Rob Latour/Shutterstock for PEOPLEElle FanningElle most certainly brought old-Hollywood glamour to the 2022 event.Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesRegina KingKing lit up the 2018 awards show with her highlighter-green Christian Siriano gown.Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesKim CattrallThe Sex and the City star sparkled in a daring and dazzling cut-out dress at the 2003 event.Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesNina DobrevTalk about red-hot. The Vampire Diaries alum knocked 'em dead with a fiery strapless Donna Karan number in 2011.Jordan Strauss/Invision/APTaraji P. HensonThe Empire star made a statement in a custom yellow Vera Wang dress at the 2016 Emmys.Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/ShutterstockIssa RaeLooking like a modern-day Cinderella, the Insecure star turned heads in a bedazzled baby blue jumpsuit by Vera Wang. "There are 3,000 crystals on my dress right now. I was like, are you serious right now," she told E! News. Rob Latour/ShutterstockMandy MooreThe This Is Us star dropped jaws with her wildly colorful Brandon Maxwell design.Rob Latour/ShutterstockAva DuVernayThe director glistened and glimmered on the red carpet in her Reem Acra gown at the 2019 Emmys.Getty ImagesJulia Louis-DreyfusThe actress wore a show-stopping design to the 1995 awards ceremony with this little (daring) black dress, which featured a plunging neckline and spaghetti straps.Mirek Towski/DMI/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty ImagesJennie GarthThe Beverly Hills, 90210 actress brought all the drama to the 1995 Emmys with her audacious black design, which she perfectly paired with long satin gloves and strappy heels.InstagramZendayaThe actress, who made history at the 2020 Emmys, oozed with glamour in an Armani creation that was reminiscent of the Swinging Sixties.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty ImagesKim KardashianThe Keeping Up With the Kardashians star graced the red carpet in a regal black dress that she paired with a statement-making necklace.For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App