The Emmys don’t just honor TV’s best; it’s also one of the year’s most-watched fashion shows. The 2025 red carpet was no exception, as stars made use of their ensembles to make statements, generate buzz, and show off courageously creative designs. From politics to fashion risks, the evening served up its fair share of style moments that viewers will still be discussing long after the ceremony ended. Here’s a 10-countdown of the 10 looks that became showstoppers at the 77th Primetime Emmys.
10. Megan Stalter’s Protest Statement
Megan Stalter forewent the couture dresses and designer glamour for something much simpler and more effective. Bringing a bag with a note that read “ceasefire now” and wearing a basic tee and jeans, she turned her red-carpet moment into a protest. Her look was bare bones, but the message was not. Sometimes the best statement is the least showy one.
9. Sam Nivola’s Cropped Dior Tux
White Lotus breakout star Sam Nivola made waves with an unorthodox take on black-tie attire: a cropped tuxedo jacket and floral waistcoat from Dior’s Summer 2026 collection. The ensemble treaded the fine line between timeless tailoring and avant-garde reinvention, evidence that men’s red-carpet fashion is anything but status quo. It was riskier, but executed with low-key confidence.
8. Jenna Ortega’s Gothic Pearl Dress
Jenna Ortega leaned into goth-chic self with a Givenchy design plucked directly from the Fall/Winter 2025 runway. Rather than the standard sheer “naked dress” affair, Ortega sported a veil of pearls and giant gems that fell dramatically off her body. Death Becomes Inspiration added cult-cinema flair to the look, while the skirt replacement made it intimate and whimsical. It was gothic glamour reinvented.
7. Seth Rogen & Lauren Miller Rogen’s Coordinated Earth Tones
Husbands and wives’ style tends to be over-the-top, but Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Rogen went for earthy, warm tones that were understatedly chic. Their understated coordination was refreshing in a sea of bright gowns and tuxedos. The lesson? Matching doesn’t necessarily mean the same; it can be balance and harmony, and for them, it was gorgeous.
6. Pedro Pascal’s Crisp White Tux
Already on our list of fan favorites, Pedro Pascal solidified his red-carpet status in a white double-breasted tuxedo. Sleek, understated, and ageless, the look exuded movie-star swagger without any fuss or antiquity. A testament to the fact that sometimes the greatest stroke is playing it old-school, while perfecting the craftsmanship.
5. Sydney Sweeney’s Scarlet Strapless Gown
Sydney Sweeney ushered in old-school glamour in a strapless, silky red dress that turned heads immediately. The minimalist silhouette allowed the bold color to speak for itself, landing her on practically every best-dressed list of the evening. While most took fashion gambles, Sweeney’s ace was being timeless, and she aced it.
4. Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco’s Red Carpet Debut
Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco opted for the Emmys to appear together in matching style. Gomez went Old Hollywood in Louis Vuitton, and Blanco donned a bespoke, jewel-encrusted suit. Their black-and-red couple was not the most egregious fashion gamble of the evening, but it was among the most memorable. Their style was less about shock and more about solidifying themselves as one of Hollywood’s power couples.
3. Lisa’s Pink Couture Masterpiece
K-pop star Lisa, now a White Lotus favorite, delivered one of the evening’s most memorable looks. Her Lever Couture gown in bubblegum pink featured ribbons that swirled around her body, finishing with a dramatic slit. Paired with Bulgari’s Serpenti jewelry, the ensemble sparked speculation about sly references to snakes in The White Lotus. Either way, her painterly gown was the talk of social media all night.
2. Cate Blanchett’s Velvet Jumpsuit
In her first appearance at the Emmys, Cate Blanchett went straight for the jumpsuit option instead of a gown. The Armani Privé velvet one she wore had a dramatic plunge, structured shoulders, and a glittering bow. It was both sophisticated and risky. Blanchett’s dedication to being eco-friendly, she’s famous for reworking items on the red carpet, made the decision even more meaningful. It was the epitome of stardom, sophistication, and intention.
1. The Collective Fashion Moment of White Lotus Cast
One by one, numerous White Lotus actors appeared on the list, but as a group, the cast ran the show. From Lisa’s pink beauty to Sam Nivola’s tuxedo-shorted attire and Natasha Rothwell’s showstopping black dress, their collective style transformed the red carpet into an unofficial Lotus runway. Fans and critics endlessly argued their style online, but there was no disputing that this cast is particularly skilled at keeping the attention long after the cameras are off.
The 2025 Emmys red carpet was not a lead-in to the ceremony; it was a ceremony unto itself. Stars employed it as a runway to take fashion risks, make political points, and express personal style. You either adored the fashion risks or cherished the classic sophistication, but this year’s Emmys compelled us to see that television’s biggest night will forever be double-duty as one of fashion’s most fearless runways.