Emmys 2026 Worst-Dressed Stars: The Red Carpet Looks That Had Everyone Doing A Double Take

The 2026 Emmy Awards delivered plenty of Hollywood glamour on Monday night — but the red carpet also produced a handful of looks that were impossible to ignore for very different reasons.

As television’s biggest stars descended on the Peacock Theatre, celebrities arrived in everything from elegant designer gowns to daring statement pieces, with some embracing fashion risks that immediately commanded attention.

Hosted by Mariska Hargitay, this year’s ceremony celebrated the best of television, with HBO’s The Pitt leading the nominations with 25 nods, followed by Hacks with 24.

Zendaya was among the biggest names expected on the red carpet, having received a Lead Actress in a Drama Series nomination for Euphoria, while Noah Wyle was recognised for his performance in The Pitt.

But before the awards were handed out, the fashion itself became the first major talking point.

And while plenty of stars delivered polished glamour, others pushed experimentation so far that their outfits became some of the most memorable — and divisive — looks of the night.

Shailene Woodley’s Head-Turning Mix

Shailene Woodley took a decidedly unconventional approach to awards-show dressing.

The actress paired oversized gold sequin trousers with a bright blue, low-cut tank top, creating an immediate contrast between the shimmering metallic fabric and vivid colour.

She then added maroon elbow-length leather gloves and a chunky multicoloured necklace, bringing even more colour and texture into the already busy ensemble.

The combination of gold, blue, maroon and multiple jewellery tones ensured there was nothing understated about her arrival.

Every individual piece made a statement, but together they created one of the evening’s most challenging combinations.

It was certainly a fashion risk — and one that was difficult to miss.

Lisa Ann Walter Embraces Gothic Drama

Lisa Ann Walter went in the complete opposite direction, abandoning traditional awards-season glamour for an intensely theatrical black look.

The actress stepped onto the red carpet in a strapless black ruched gown with an exaggerated flared skirt, giving the silhouette a distinctly gothic feel.

Dramatic black tulle sleeves added even more volume and transformed the dress into an almost costume-like creation.

Her elaborate updo completed the theatrical styling.

Against the brighter gowns and polished eveningwear elsewhere on the carpet, Walter’s all-black ensemble immediately stood apart.

The combination of the voluminous skirt, oversized sleeves and elaborate hair created an unmistakably dark aesthetic — one that was impossible to overlook.

Derek Hough Goes All In On Green

Derek Hough took monochromatic dressing to another level.

The Dancing With The Stars host arrived in an oversized dark green silk suit, complete with black button detailing across the jacket.

Underneath, he wore a hunter-green silk shirt, continuing the head-to-toe colour scheme.

Then came the shoes.

Hough completed the outfit with metallic patent-leather green loafers, ensuring that almost every visible element of the ensemble remained firmly within the same striking colour family.

The coordination was undeniable, but the combination of oversized tailoring, glossy silk and reflective footwear made the overall effect particularly bold.

On a carpet already filled with statement looks, Hough’s commitment to green still managed to stand out.

Meg Stalter Takes The Emmy Literally

Then there was Meg Stalter, who appeared to take the theme of the evening rather more literally than most.

The comedian reportedly transformed herself into a human version of the Emmy trophy, covering her body in metallic gold paint and wearing oversized gold wings incorporated into her hairstyle.

She completed the theatrical look with gold heels, mini shorts and a halter-style crop top.

It was less traditional red-carpet glamour and more full-scale performance art — ensuring Stalter was unlikely to blend into the crowd.

Whatever the intention, the look certainly captured the spirit of an awards ceremony in a way few others attempted.

Lisa Rinna Brings The Drama

Lisa Rinna also opted for a look designed to command attention.

She appeared in a sparkling black gown featuring dramatically oversized sleeves, a plunging neckline and a high leg slit.

The slicked-back hairstyle kept the focus firmly on the dress, while a silver pendant necklace provided a small contrasting detail against the dark ensemble.

The overall effect was deliberately dramatic, with the exaggerated sleeves giving the gown an almost sculptural quality.

It was another example of a celebrity choosing spectacle over understated awards-show elegance.

The Emmy red carpet has never been simply about playing it safe.

For celebrities, it is one of the biggest opportunities of the year to experiment with colour, silhouette, texture and styling — and the 2026 ceremony showed just how far those experiments can go.

Woodley mixed sequins, vivid colour and leather. Walter embraced gothic theatrics. Hough committed completely to green. Stalter transformed herself into a walking Emmy trophy, while Rinna went for exaggerated volume and sparkle.

Some looks were designed to be elegant.

Others were designed to be remembered.

And on a red carpet where every arrival is photographed from every angle, these were among the outfits that ensured the fashion conversation would continue long after the final Emmy had been handed out.