When it comes to the Emmys, one thing’s for certain: glamour is the name of the game, and no one’s playing it safe. Last night’s red carpet was a dizzying display of high fashion and daring risks, where elegance danced with extravagance, and yes, the sober and sober-curious celebs were here to serve up some serious looks. It’s a challenge to cover a night where every outfit is designed to be unforgettable—but some missed the mark by a mile (we’re looking at you, questionable fabric choices).
For the sober set, the looks ranged from sleek and sophisticated to “I swear, this looked better in the dressing room.” So, grab a mocktail because we’re about to dive into the best and worst sober fashion moments from the 2024 Emmys!
Honorable Mentions:
Kristen Wiig in this metallic Oscar de la Renta gown took my breath away!!! Overall, last night, metallics had a major moment on the Emmys red carpet, with Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan shimmering in Atelier Prabal Gurung and Fallout’s Ella Purnell channeling futuristic glam in Rabanne. But leave it to Palm Royale’s Kristen Wiig to serve up something different—stepping out in a jaw-dropping Oscar de la Renta gown with a zigzag neckline and hem so sharp, it could cut glass. Paired with dazzling Chopard diamonds, this look was all about modern, artful perfection—and honey, she nailed it.
Winner for best actress in a drama series for Shogun, Anna Sawai had her Cinderella moment when her stylist asked the million-dollar question: “Who do you want to wear?” Without missing a beat, she said the name on every fashionista’s lips—Vera Wang. And as my niece likes to say, diva, she delivered. The custom silk-faille mermaid gown was pure magic, complete with an architectural neckline and hand-draped flounce. Paired with Cartier jewels and Jimmy Choos, Sawai wasn’t just attending the Emmys—she was owning the night.
As the host of last night’s Emmys Awards show, Dan Levy once again proved he is the GOAT for menswear. The structural, asymmetrical white top paired with a suit by Loewe gave me life! (Also, gotta give some love to his dad, Eugene Levy, who looked absolutely dapper in his tux. But like, come on, would Dan let his dad walk out in anything less than perfection?)
Best Dressed:
Eiza González, a passionate mental health advocate living with an anxiety disorder, made her Emmys debut in a stunning light pink strapless gown and matching feather coat by Tamara Ralph. Known for her openness about therapy and emotional well-being, González embodied joy and empowerment on the red carpet, completing her look with David Yurman jewels and Jimmy Choo heels. Her radiant appearance perfectly complemented her message of self-care and mental health awareness.
Sober icon Robert Downey Jr. and his wife Susan Downey took it to the next level in a custom Louis Vuitton suit paired with a sleek silk shirt by the same house. He added a touch of luxury with Tiffany & Co.’s iconic Jean Schlumberger Bird on a Rock brooch, featuring a dazzling 33-carat pink tourmaline. The stone’s vibrant hue perfectly complemented the magenta gown worn by his wife, Susan Downey, making them a standout duo of the night.
Quinta Brunson, the star and creator of “Abbott Elementary,” dazzled at the Emmys in a striking black strapless gown from Georges Chakra’s Fall 2024 couture collection. The dress played with texture, featuring sleek, liquid-like fabric wrapped around the bodice, while a matte, striped layer peeked from the bust and flowed elegantly down one side. Two oversized black bows, cinching the gown at the hip and knees, added a playful yet sophisticated touch to the look. Recently, Brunson has discussed her struggles with love addiction in her memoir, She Memes Well.
Jeremy Allen White, who has been open about his journey to sobriety, showed once again that he can master both casual and formal style at last night’s Emmy Awards. Winning lead actor in a comedy series for The Bear, White donned a sleek bespoke Calvin Klein tuxedo with satin shawl lapels and patent leather Santoni Oxfords, proving that whether he’s embracing his laid-back “slacker hot” aesthetic or going full black-tie, he can pull it all off effortlessly.
Best actress nominee for Lessons in Chemistry, Brie Larson stunned in a custom Chanel peplum midi dress, crafted from navy organza, black satin, tulle, and taffeta, adorned with 10,000 beaded elements. She completed the look with white-gold and diamond Chanel jewels. While embracing a more mindful relationship with substances, the sober curious starlet revealed that she now drinks “maybe once a year” after significantly reducing her alcohol consumption during the pandemic.
The Morning Show’s best actress nominee, Jennifer Aniston, stayed true to her signature streamlined and chic style with an Oscar de la Renta gown adorned with intricate pearl and crystal embroidery that took 800 hours to complete. She elevated the look with vintage Tiffany & Co. platinum and diamond jewels from the 1920s and finished it with classic Jimmy Choo heels. Aniston has openly discussed her relationship with alcohol and emphasized the importance of making mindful, healthy lifestyle choices, which included quitting smoking in 2007.
Walking the 2024 Emmys red carpet in a stunning custom Ralph Lauren gown styled by Erin Walsh, Selena Gomez dazzled in a curve-hugging design adorned with silver sequins and a dramatic flared train. Selena Gomez has been open about her mental health challenges stemming from her lupus diagnosis, anxiety, and depression and checked herself into rehab in 2014 for a panic disorder. She now inspires a new generation of women to love the skin they are in and to be open about recovery from mental health.
Worst Dressed:
Jodie Foster wore a sleeper look to the red carpet in a custom Louis Vuitton dress featuring asymmetric bodice styling and a subtle hint of a gold belt at the waist. She completed the look with Stuart Weitzman shoes. The look, though elegant, was a snooze for me and completely forgettable. Foster, who has openly shared her decision to quit drinking and join a 12-step program, continues to embrace her sobriety as part of her journey toward personal growth and connection.
Tyler James Williams, who ditched the booze in December 2017 after a diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease, missed the mark at the Emmys, opting for a puzzling black sleeveless button-down with vertical stripes that felt more like a vest gone wrong than red carpet glam. The untucked shirt’s pointed tails and the starburst brooch at the collar did little to elevate the look, which was further derailed by shiny black laceless shoes that added to the overall disjointed vibe. Despite Abbott Elementary’s impressive six nominations, Williams’ outfit was more a lesson in what not to wear.
Alan Cumming, in Teddy Vonranson, wore a medal with a trans pride flag ribbon on his lapel, which is the only thing I like about this outfit. He looks like he is drowning in plaid and choking himself out with the overly long-flannel fabric. The look is perplexing, paired with a skirt and pants as if he is an early 2000s pop diva. In recovery from trauma and abuse, the sober curious actor could have gotten the impact he was searching for by opting for a kilt or by fully committing to the look and wearing a dramatic gown with a train.
Ayo Edebiri, the co-star (and previous Emmy winner) of The Bear, wore a custom Bottega Veneta gown based on a look from creative director Matthieu Blazy’s Pre-Spring 2025 collection for the brand: a strapless design embellished with a custom print meant to evoke thoughts of starfish rendered in sequins. The look is both simultaneously plain and too busy. The cut of the dress is exceptionally boring, appearing like any off-the-rack prom dress from DEB in the early 2000s. I would love to see an actress of her stature bring it next awards season and wear something more inspired.
Melissa Peterman, a comedian who has been candid about her struggles with disordered eating, wore a Staud high-neck gown with an airy organza overlay, a bow at the neck, and a ruffle at the hem. The hair looks like it is attending a different event than the dress. The dress is also having an identity crisis. Does it want to be covered and frumpy, or does it want to look like a cheap 1990s rave dress?
What did you think? Did we hit or miss on our best and worst dress selections for the 2024 Emmys?
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