Is playing it safe on the red carpet the new ‘chic’ trend? The 2026 Emmys might say so

For a word that is supposed to mean stylish, 'chic' has had a strange year. A few weeks ago, the internet collectively decided it had become one of fashion’s most overused words, stripped of whatever meaning it once had. And perhaps that’s because chic has quietly evolved into shorthand for something far less exciting: polished, tasteful, inoffensive, and, most importantly, safe.

That brings us to the 2026 Emmys red carpet, where 'chic' seemed to be the unofficial dress code. There was plenty to admire, but very little that made you stop and stare, with a few exceptions, of course. Zendaya, as always, understood the assignment, arriving in a sheer, crystal-covered gown that felt like an actual fashion moment, while Chase Infiniti’s sculptural copper bead dress certainly left an impression. But the majority of it seemed a little too safe. The gowns were beautiful, in pretty colours with silhouettes that felt all too familiar. Pastels, neutrals, satin, tulle, delicate embellishment, they had all the ingredients for a chic red carpet, but hardly anything that left a lasting impression.

Take a look.

Zendaya 

Zendaya always knows how to give us an actual fashion moment. Styled by Law Roche, she walked the red carpet in a custom Prada gown covered in shimmering crystals, with a plunging neckline and trailing tulle details. Her Mikimoto pearl jewellery and diamond Rolex added to the glamour of the sheer crystal gown, while her new pixie cut gave us a new look to fuss over! 

Chase Infiniti 

Chase Infiniti continued her impressive awards-season fashion run in a custom Louis Vuitton strapless mermaid gown covered almost entirely in tiny copper-toned beads. The sculptural texture gave the otherwise classic silhouette some much-needed drama, while her pared-back styling kept the dress firmly in focus. Infiniti, who became a Louis Vuitton ambassador last year, is clearly done playing it safe.

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez's custom Louis Vuitton gown straddled the line between safe and fun. While the silhouette felt a little too familiar, the metallic gold beads added enough texture and drama to the look. She piled on Tiffany & Co jewels, including pieces from the Bird on a Rock and Sixteen Stone collections, while glossy mermaid waves and luminous makeup finished the look. Even her nails got the memo, with a frosted metallic manicure inspired by the gown.

Nicole Kidman 

Nicole Kidman’s custom white Chanel gown was minimal but had a few memorable details: a structured bustier, sculptural hips, a thigh-high slit, and handmade silk, organza and raffia flowers around the neckline. Paired with Chanel jewellery, black pumps, a loose low bun, and soft pink makeup, it landed firmly in the polished, elegant camp. Chic? Absolutely. But is it her best look? Probably not.

Florence Pugh 

Florence Pugh leaned into the softer side of chic in a lilac Vivienne Westwood gown, complete with a corseted bodice, delicate draping, and a sheer train. Bulgari jewellery, an undone bun, and soft makeup kept the whole look romantic and pretty.

Elle Fanning 

 

Elle Fanning’s custom Ralph Lauren gown came in one of those pleasing pastel shades, a soft pistachio green, with a bias-cut silhouette and hand-applied micro-cut glass beads. Cartier jewellery and pared-back beauty kept things polished, with nothing particularly loud competing for attention.

Julia Garner

Julia Garner went for a more classic kind of glamour in a shimmering silver halter gown by Loewe, with the glittering fabric doing most of the work. The silhouette felt very Old Hollywood, while her understated jewellery and soft, polished beauty kept the look from veering too far from familiar red-carpet territory. Pretty, polished and undeniably chic, if a little expected.

Sarah Pidgeon 

Sarah Pidgeon went for a '90s-leaning take on chic in a custom lavender Chanel silk slip dress, finished with pearl-spangled straps and delicate chain embellishment. A diamond camellia lariat necklace, soft waves, and muted makeup kept the look suitably pared back, with the lilac shade doing most of the visual work.

Emilia Clarke 

Emilia Clarke kept things simple in a soft lilac gown with a fluid silhouette and minimal detailing. Her hair was worn down with a polished finish, paired with understated makeup, making for a pretty, pulled-together look that fits neatly into the evening’s pastel-heavy palette.

Dakota Fanning 

Dakota Fanning broke up the pastel parade in a strapless black-and-white Carolina Herrera look from the Resort 2027 collection. The glossy corset, white drop-waist skirt, and tea-length hem gave the otherwise classic combination a little more shape, while a Swarovski lab-grown diamond necklace added some sparkle.

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah Michelle Gellar brought some much-needed colour to the carpet in a vivid hot-pink floor-length gown with an open back. The bright shade gave the otherwise classic awards-season silhouette a little more personality, while the rest of the styling stayed relatively polished and restrained. Hers was a good example of how a bold colour can make a familiar shape feel fresher without exactly reinventing the red carpet.

Ayo Edebiri 

Ayo Edebiri’s custom Chanel look also played with colour and silhouette, pairing an icy blue, tiered gown with an oversized contrasting orange bow and train at the back. It was a little more experimental than much of the evening’s dressing, with Mikimoto pearls and silver pumps keeping the styling polished.

Emmy Rossum 

Emmy Rossum stayed with a darker version of the evening’s polished dressing in a long black gown with ruffled and scalloped detailing. Voluminous curls, softly smoked brown eye makeup, and a matching neutral lip added a little more texture to the otherwise classic look.

Kristen Bell 

Kristen Bell went for romantic rather than dramatic in a white slip dress with a pink lace-trimmed, ruffled V-neckline and matching shawl. Layered bracelets, earrings and rings added some sparkle, while soft waves and fresh makeup kept everything feeling suitably polished.

Brenda Song

Brenda Song opted for a soft blue gown with a shimmery, sequinned bodice, and a clean, floor-length silhouette. She kept the styling similarly pared back, letting the dress take centre stage. It was one of those looks that gets the word chic thrown at it almost automatically, leaning into the understated approach that defined much of this year’s carpet.

Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay made history as the first woman to host the Emmys in 15 years, and she certainly dressed the part. She arrived in a fire-engine red Monse gown covered in sequins, with feathered detailing and a dramatic train. The look was a tribute to her late mother, Jayne Mansfield, and was echoed by her daughter Amaya in a matching gown. With an actual story behind the sparkle, this felt like the kind of red-carpet dressing that gives “chic” a little more personality.

Jackie Tohn 

Jackie Tohn at least brought some colour to the red carpet in a bright red sequined, one-shoulder gown. The all-over sparkle made it more noticeable than some of the evening’s quieter looks, although the silhouette itself stayed firmly within familiar awards-season territory.

Lead image: Getty Images

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