Rulebook? Don't Know Her
The "No-Trend Trend" Is Winning The Emmys
TV's biggest night traded predictable gowns for rule-breaking silhouettes and chaotic style choices.
Fashion has entered its maximalist era on the runways, bringing a heavy wave of fringe, feathers, and architectural silhouettes to the style conversation. Tonight, that exact same high-energy aesthetic crashed the Emmys 2026 red carpet.
Rather than sticking to safe, expected glamour, the celebs completely tossed out the traditional awards show playbook on Monday, Sept. 14, turning the night into a masterclass in beautifully lawless styling. Both necklines and hemlines were asymmetrical; dresses and suits alike were expertly deconstructed; and stars committed to full-blown wardrobe rebellion. One even went total cosplay mode, dressing like the Emmy statue.
Designer Michael Kors, who’s dressed his fair share of talent for the Emmys through the years, predicted just as much. Backstage at his latest New York Fashion Week show, he told E! News, “This whole concept of old Hollywood glamour? Well, it’s old,” encouraging celebs to break the rules with their style at the big TV event.
The attendees clearly took that advice to heart — and the results are brilliantly chaotic. Ahead, the exact looks rewriting the awards show style script in real time. (Consider this a formal petition to make every red carpet this experimental.)
Deconstructed Wins
Traditionally, stars at awards shows preferred a buttoned-up vibe. But this year, so many people went rogue in undone numbers. Quinta Brunson, nominated for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, had one of the best takes on the trend in an off-white Christian Cowan dress. The silk gown featured deconstructed detailing, with frayed seams and a plunging fallen-strap illusion that made it look like it was falling apart.
The menswear-inspired looks got the same treatment. The Gilded Age star Louisa Jacobson subverted the classic tuxedo in a black Tom Ford suit by Haider Ackermann, ditching the traditional shirt for an integrated asymmetrical scarf neckline.
Not to be outdone, Odessa A'zion eschewed the traditional evening gown for a darker vintage 1996 Jean Paul Gaultier two-piece. The archival look loaded up on a heavy-duty gold zipper and trailing tassel fringe to deliver pure cool-girl energy.
Textures Galore
The red carpet was also extremely texture-heavy. While fringe and feathers aren’t exactly new, this year brought more unexpected materials to the fold. Chase Infiniti wore a strapless custom Louis Vuitton mermaid gown entirely built from thousands of metallic copper spheres that looked like high-fashion holiday ornaments.
Then there was host Mariska Hargitay, who arrived in a red-hot Monse dress complete with a spectacular synthetic feather-fringe train.
Even more common textures got a glow-up this year. Pleats? Cynthia Nixon embraced them in a sculptural burgundy Issey Miyake gown. Bows? Those also got a more whimsical update, thanks to Ayo Edebiri’s blue-and-red ensemble with massive ribbon details.
The Lawless Vibe
Off-kilter styling was another way celebs experimented on the carpet. Who’d think to pair a plunging blue halter top, gold sequined wide-leg trousers, burgundy leather opera gloves, and a rainbow-hued necklace at an awards show? Apparently, Shailene Woodley.
Megan Stalter, nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Hacks, proved nominees don’t need to dress like they’re merely waiting for an award; they can dress like one, too. That’s exactly what she did when she painted her skin gold and framed her shoulders in massive gold feathers to cosplay as the Emmy statuette.
The Men Were In On It, Too
Fashion icon Colman Domingo completely reset the menswear standard, skipping the basic black tuxedo for a custom Valentino terra cotta robe coat featuring a sleek, high stand-up collar and structural knot closures, paired with loose white trousers and a fringed purple scarf belt.
The boundary-pushing men’s suits and accompanying accessories also deserve a shout. Tyler James Williams wore a gray blazer that looked like ink was thrown on it, while Adam Brody traded the go-to bowtie for a casually folded, silk handkerchief tie tucked into his collar. Rulebook? Don’t know her.
