I feel like I say this every time, but the Emmys this year were pretty….meh. The ceremony felt uninspired, few of the looks truly wowed me, and “The Americans” loosing in its last season to “Game of Thrones” stung REAL hard. Anyway, let’s get started with the nominees, none of whom wore what I had picked for them, but a few came pretty damn close!
Jessica Biel in Ralph and Russo
Embed from Getty ImagesThis is possibly the best Jessica Biel has ever looked. I don’t usually love white on the red carpet – it can read too matrimonial – but this is spectacular.
Alexis Bledel in Delpozo
Embed from Getty ImagesI love Delpozo – it’s one of those names I always get excited to see on the red carpet. This isn’t my favorite look from their recent collections, but I like it a lot more than I think other folks may.
Michelle Dockery in Carolina Herrera
Embed from Getty ImagesSpeaking of Delpozo, I would have put good on money on this look coming from one of their collections. Between the tulle, the bright colors, and the floral appliques it’s very up their alley. Turns out, Michelle’s look is courtesy of one of my perennial favorites, Carolina Herrera. It’s lovely and cheerier than I would have pegged for her.
Tracee Ellis Ross in Valentino
Embed from Getty ImagesAND, speaking of cheery! This is amazing. I predicted Tracee would wear something colorful and big, and boy did she come through! This Valentino number is over the top ridiculous but it’s also amazing. I can’t believe that she’s not only pulling it off, but that she looks downright regal. It speaks volumes (pun!) about her personality that she’s not getting lost in this look – it would (literally) eat most celebrities alive!
Rachel Brosnahan in Oscar de la Renta
Embed from Getty ImagesRachel won “Best Actress in a Comedy” for her work playing a Bryn Mawr grad in the “Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, which has been on my watch list for a year now but I can’t seem to press play on. She looks gorgeous in one of the two Oscar de la Renta looks we saw last night, although my nit to pick would be for a symmetrical neckline rather than the droopy-dog sleeve we have here.
Sarah Paulson in Oscar de la Renta
Embed from Getty ImagesI love exactly half of this second Oscar de la Renta look. The feathered skirt is divine, but I will never be on board with a “bunny ears” neckline. I am going to give myself half a point on this one though since I had picked a Givenchy with a vaguely feathered skirt for Sarah.
Laura Dern in Thom Browne
Embed from Getty ImagesI had a Thom Browne look on my shortlist for Laura, but it was one that felt a little less slapdash than this one. The pearls + the bustier dress, or the bustier dress + the collared short, but not both. Math!
Vanessa Kirby in Tom Ford
Embed from Getty ImagesVa-va-voom! First of all, the hair is a HUGE improvement over her “I just came from the gym” vibe last year. I’m not going to pretend I love this – nearly-nude slip dresses aren’t my thing, but she looks better than she has in a while.
Millie Bobby Brown in Calvin Klein by Appointment
Embed from Getty ImagesI’m also giving myself a half point for this one – we both went with pink and a ballgown silhouette. This is adorable and eminently age appropriate.
Issa Rae in Vera Wang
Embed from Getty ImagesHard pass on this. I rarely like Vera Wang, and I KNOW that Issa can do better than this ill-fitting chimera of a look.
Tatiana Maslany in custom Christian Siriano
Embed from Getty ImagesI could not find a picture where she didn’t look like she was straddling a horse, but overall this is pretty good. Though, I tend to think if you’re going to go for pants on the red carpet, just look to a well tailored suit.
Sandra Oh in Ralph and Russo
Embed from Getty ImagesGorgeous! I love this color on her, but like with all satin, I wish it hadn’t wrinkled so much in the car ride over.
Claire Foy in Calvin Klein by Appointment
Embed from Getty ImagesI love Claire and she is incredible in “The Crown”, but I really wanted this to be Kerri Russell’s year to take home the prize for “Best Actress in a Drama”. Since we’re making a wish list, I also wish that Claire had worn something other than a colorless sack. At least her lipstick is great though.
Thandie Newton in Brandon Maxwell
Embed from Getty ImagesI was thrilled Thandie won – she is easily the best (…and only?) good part of “Westworld”. Also, “I don’t believe in God, but I’m going to thank her tonight” is 100% my new catchphrase. Also also, Thandie looks fabulous here.
Zazie Beetz in Ralph Lauren
Embed from Getty ImagesSee, I told you Zazie has strange taste? I would never in a million years have picked this for her, and it all feels too try-hard and heavy for her.
Kerri Russell in Zuhair Murad
Embed from Getty ImagesSexy AF. I usually would never endorse a double-legged thigh-high slit, but Kerri looks incredible in this. Also, she should have won. Also, also Matthew Rhys’ accent is to die for. That is all.
Yvonne Strahovski in Warm
Embed from Getty ImagesBravo for showing up while 8 months pregnant and looking fabulous!
Elisabeth Moss custom Vera Wang
Embed from Getty ImagesGod, this is a snooze. Did Vera even try? And this is CUSTOM!? Did Elisabeth and her team tell her “I want something completely forgettable, extremely boring, and slightly unflattering”?
Evan Rachel Wood in custom Altuzarra
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother half point! As I predicted, Evan would turn to suiting for inspiration, and while she didn’t make it all the way to a tuxedo dress, she got close. For a custom piece, it feels a little baggier than it should, and while I love the floral headpiece, I wish she had jazzed this up with some more fun accessories.
Allison Janney in Prabal Gurung
Embed from Getty ImagesAccording to People, Allison had picked this dress as a possibility for the Oscars back in January, and held onto it for the Emmys. I’m glad it made its way out of her closet because she looks divine in it.
Laurie Metcalf in Badgley Mischka
Embed from Getty ImagesThis is fine on Laurie, but I preferred much of what she wore during her recent Oscars run. This unnecessarily ages her.
Fashion Wonk 