The Best Dressed Stars at the 2022 Emmy Awards

I don’t remember the last time Zendaya attended an awards show and she didn’t make the best-dressed list. I’m sure it’s happened! (Maybe?!) But the occurrence has become so rare that practically any appearance from the Emmy-winning Euphoria actress guarantees rampant Twitter and Instagram posts fawning over her looks. Tonight was no different: Her simple but impactful Valentino ballgown in smooth black pairs perfectly with her half-up, half-down ’do and a sparkling diamond choker.

The Squid Game star’s look works so well due to its smart styling decisions: a bob with side-swept bangs and a pair of strappy kitten heels. But the Louis Vuitton dress itself is a delight, more interesting the longer you examine its interwoven geometric details, pastel colors, and subtle silver accents.

2022 trends might have leaned a little too heavily on cut-outs, but it remains a fact that well-placed cut-out can turn an average dress exceptional. The coy torso cut-out on Issa Rae’s custom Sergio Hudson gown, paired with a sweetheart neckline and elegant pooling train, made a dramatic impact.

It can’t make up for the shameful lack of Better Call Saul love at tonight’s Emmys, but Rhea Seehorn’s dress did look fantastic. The ballgown’s neckline was one of the most unique on the red carpet, and though the fabric pattern is a bit tough to pin down, its color is absolutely ravishing against Seehorn’s skin tone.

Forget silver and gold—copper was the reigning metallic at the Emmys. Quinta Brunson’s Dolce & Gabbana look, in particular, made remarkable use of the color, fusing sparkle on the bodice with a shimmery matte in the skirt. Now that Brunson’s an Emmy winner, we can only expect more “tiny hot girl things.”

My opinions on that diamond cut-out remain mixed. But Julia Garner’s expertly tousled curls and smoky eyeshadow, paired with delicate embroidery along her shoulders and skirt, made this gown glow under the Emmy stage's spotlights.

Wednesday Addams—er, sorry, Christina Ricci—practically gleamed in this matching Fendi dress and handbag, perfectly draped against her figure. The eye-catching dress, matched with moody makeup and a blunt bob, made us crave for a Ricci cameo in the upcoming Netflix Addams Family spin-off.

We love a woman in a suit, especially when that suit is purple, covered in sequins, and finished off with a cape. Sandra Oh’s blazing confidence (not to mention natural beauty) seals this bold look with pride.

Wearing long sleeves in the Los Angeles heat might have been a brave move, but what is Jean Smart if not willing to take risks? Her clean white Christian Siriano dress fell precisely along her shoulders, and a flattering sash tied off at the waist completed a look that projected Emmy royalty.

Lizzo consistently goes big and powerful in her red-carpet fashion, but her Emmys look managed to be both overwhelming and dainty—a difficult balance to strike. But consider it duly struck here: This Giambattista Valli look hit all the right notes, especially with a piled-high bun and matching rosy makeup.

Sydney Sweeney’s sleek blonde waves paired beautifully with the grays and silvers in her Oscar de la Renta gown, featuring a thick second skirt that might have weighed Sweeney down had she not carried it with such poise.

The earthiness of Sarah Niles’s gold gown made it seem different than anything else on the carpet. The bunches of fabric look almost like gnarled tree roots, with a single branch stretching up and onto the actress’s left shoulder. Sure, might I simply need to spend a little more time outside? Perhaps. But that doesn’t mean this look doesn’t deserve its due.

Another one-shoulder gown, but this time simple and sheer, almost like a second skin against Alexandra Daddario’s subtle tan. The dress features some of the best instincts of classic Dior: sophisticated, feminine, and clever, but timeless.

Similarly to Issa Rae’s gown, Laura Linney’s Christian Siriano dress made intelligent use of white and black. Siriano always loves a ruffle, but I thought these particular accents worked well against Linney’s slight frame and neat red-blonde updo. These details emboldened her look without swallowing her, and the hints of diamond jewelry added extra oomph.

Call me a sucker for a good cape, but The Bear star and comedian Ayo Edebiri’s playful pastel pink look was one of the few mini dresses I appreciated this awards season. She looks feminine but comfortable, playful but poised, and—most importantly—as refreshing as her sense of humor.