Emmys 2026 Worst-Dressed Stars: The Red Carpet Looks That Missed The Mark

Hollywood’s biggest names gathered for the 2026 Emmy Awards on Monday night, bringing plenty of glamour, bold fashion and dramatic red-carpet moments to the Peacock Theatre.

But while many stars arrived in dazzling designer creations, not every fashion choice managed to impress.

The star-studded ceremony, hosted by Mariska Hargitay, celebrates excellence across the television industry. This year, HBO’s medical drama The Pitt led the nominations with an impressive 25 nods, followed closely by Hacks with 24.

Among the biggest names in attendance were Zendaya, who was nominated for Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role in Euphoria, and Noah Wyle, who received a nomination for his performance in The Pitt.

Yet before the trophies were handed out, the red carpet became the first major spectacle of the evening.

Stars arrived in everything from glamorous gowns to daring statement pieces, with some looks immediately commanding attention for all the right reasons. Others, however, stood out for an entirely different reason.

From an outfit designed to resemble an actual Emmy award to combinations that appeared to clash from top to bottom, the 2026 red carpet delivered several fashion moments that are already difficult to forget.

Here are some of the night’s most talked-about worst-dressed looks.

Shailene Woodley’s Mismatched Ensemble

Shailene Woodley’s red-carpet appearance quickly became one of the most eyebrow-raising fashion choices of the evening.

The actress opted for an eye-catching combination that appeared to bring several very different elements together at once.

Her look featured oversized gold sequin trousers paired with a bright blue, low-cut tank top. She then added maroon elbow-length leather gloves and finished the outfit with a chunky, multicolored necklace.

The combination created a striking contrast between the shimmering trousers, vivid blue top, dark gloves and colourful jewellery.

Rather than blending into the glamorous red-carpet crowd, the outfit immediately demanded attention.

With so many competing colours, textures and accessories appearing in a single ensemble, it became one of the evening’s most noticeable fashion risks.

The overall effect was certainly memorable — but it was also one of the looks that left the biggest questions about whether all of the individual pieces actually worked together.

Lisa Ann Walter Goes Full Gothic

Lisa Ann Walter took a dramatically darker approach to the Emmy Awards red carpet.

The actress appeared in a strapless black ruched gown featuring a dramatic flared skirt, creating an unmistakably gothic-inspired silhouette.

The dress was further transformed by dramatic black tulle sleeves, adding another layer of theatricality to the already striking outfit.

Walter completed the look with an elaborate updo that pushed the overall styling even further into dramatic territory.

The result was a look that stood apart from the lighter, glamorous gowns typically associated with awards-season red carpets.

With its black fabric, exaggerated sleeves, voluminous skirt and elaborate hairstyle, the ensemble delivered strong gothic and almost Halloween-like vibes.

It was certainly impossible to overlook.

Derek Hough’s Very Green Moment

Derek Hough also took a bold approach to his Emmy Awards appearance, embracing one colour from head to toe.

The professional dancer and Dancing With The Stars host arrived wearing an oversized dark green silk suit featuring black button detailing on the jacket.

Underneath, he wore a hunter-green silk shirt, continuing the monochromatic theme.

But Hough did not stop there.

He completed the look with metallic, patent-leather green loafers, creating an outfit in which virtually every major element revolved around the same rich shade.

The unusual styling made his arrival particularly noticeable on a red carpet already filled with dramatic fashion statements.

While the look was coordinated, the combination of oversized tailoring, silk textures and highly reflective green footwear made it another of the evening’s more unconventional fashion choices.

When Red-Carpet Risks Don’t Quite Pay Off

The Emmy Awards are always an opportunity for celebrities to experiment with fashion, and the 2026 ceremony was no exception.

Some stars successfully turned bold choices into unforgettable fashion moments. Others demonstrated just how difficult it can be to balance colour, texture, accessories and proportions on one of Hollywood’s biggest red carpets.

Shailene Woodley’s combination of gold sequins, bright blue, maroon leather and multicoloured jewellery was certainly one of the night’s most daring looks.

Lisa Ann Walter leaned heavily into theatrical gothic styling, while Derek Hough committed completely to a striking shade of green.

Elsewhere, comedian Meg Stalter reportedly took the idea of dressing for the Emmys even further by appearing dressed as an actual Emmy award.

Together, these appearances ensured that the 2026 Emmy red carpet offered plenty to discuss beyond the evening’s nominations and winners.

The Fashion Moments Everyone Will Be Talking About

Awards shows are about celebrating television, but the red carpet has become an event in its own right.

Every gown, suit and styling decision is examined, photographed and debated, meaning even the most unexpected fashion choices can become major talking points.

At the 2026 Emmys, the biggest fashion conversation was not limited to the stars who delivered flawless glamour.

The more unusual outfits also made their mark — proving once again that on a Hollywood red carpet, being unforgettable is sometimes just as important as being perfectly polished.

And with Shailene Woodley’s mismatched ensemble, Lisa Ann Walter’s gothic-inspired look and Derek Hough’s head-to-toe green statement among the evening’s most unconventional appearances, the 2026 Emmy Awards certainly provided no shortage of fashion drama.