Television's award season kicked off in earnest as stars gathered at LA's Peacock Theater for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards. While the ceremony itself celebrated the best in TV, the red carpet outside was just as much of an event, packed with statement gowns, playful surprises and a few outfits fans are still talking about the morning after.

Zendaya's Showstopping Entrance

Zendaya once again proved why she's one of the most closely watched dressers on any carpet, stepping out in a custom gown covered in shimmering crystal detail and cut with a bold plunging neckline. The look was dramatic enough that fellow attendee Charlie Hunnam later joked in an interview that he'd nearly stepped on the dress while posing nearby, a near-mishap that quickly became one of the night's most shared moments.

Zendaya's crystal gown was one of the most photographed looks of the night.

Megan Stalter's Statuette Costume Steals the Show

Not every star played it safe. Hacks actress Megan Stalter skipped the traditional gown route entirely, arriving dressed head-to-toe as an actual Emmy statuette. In a night otherwise filled with polished, conventional glamour, the costume stood out as the boldest and most talked-about choice on the carpet, and it quickly became a favorite moment for entertainment outlets covering the event.

Megan Stalter's statuette-inspired look was the most unexpected outfit of the night.

Metallics and Chainmail Take Over

Selena Gomez brought a cooler take on sparkle in a gold chainmail-style gown, offering a more refined, architectural alternative to the crystal-covered looks elsewhere on the carpet. The metallic theme carried through several other appearances, signaling that liquid-metal texture is likely to keep showing up through the rest of awards season.

Selena Gomez opted for a sleek gold chainmail gown on the carpet.

A Wave of Lilac and Pale Tones

Florence Pugh led a soft, ethereal color moment in a custom lilac gown, joining several other stars who opted for pale, dreamy tones as a counterpoint to the evening's brighter reds and metallics. The pairing of pale lilac with more structured black-and-white looks elsewhere on the carpet gave the night a clear split between soft romanticism and sharp contrast.

Florence Pugh's lilac gown reflected one of the night's biggest color trends.

Red Carpet, Literally: Stars in Bold Red

First-time Emmys host Mariska Hargitay set the tone in a striking red gown, a choice echoed by several other attendees throughout the night. The recurring red moment gave the carpet a cohesive, high-impact visual thread that stood out in photos and quickly became a talking point among fashion watchers tracking the night's biggest trends.

Menswear Gets Playful With Embroidery

The men's side of the carpet wasn't shy either. Embroidered suiting made a strong showing, with several actors trading traditional black tuxedos for detailed, decorative tailoring. One standout look even reworked the classic tuxedo into a cropped jacket with a dramatic train, proving menswear on the Emmys carpet is embracing more experimentation than ever.

Why This Red Carpet Matters for Awards Season

Beyond the individual looks, the Emmys carpet traditionally sets an early tone for the trends that will carry through the rest of awards season, all the way to the Oscars. Between the lilac gowns, gold metallics and bolder menswear choices, this year's Emmys carpet hinted at a season that's leaning into both softness and spectacle in equal measure.

WRITTEN BYJordan Monroe

Jordan Monroe tracks the relationship between celebrity, fashion, and cultural influence with a sharp and discerning eye. From red carpet moments to off-duty street style, she follows how public figures shape global taste — and which brands are smart enough to follow their lead.