Aaron Paul photobombing Bryan Cranston at the 2013 Emmy red carpet. Like a boss. Image via: Ozarksfirst.com
Everything feels right in the world now that awards season has finally officially begun. In keeping with recent years' trends, the carpet was honestly kind of a snoozefest, but that doesn't mean the looks can't be broken down into very specific categories and analyzed. What else are red carpets for, anyway? For all the looks at the 2013 Emmys, TheCut.com, People.com, EW.com, THR and the NYDN are just a few places that have great red carpet roundups.
the good/bad
best
 Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Monique Lhuillier: She always keeps it simple and smart, and last night was no exception. The gown fit her well and she worked the all-over sparkles like a pro, keeping everything else simple and winning gracefully (and hilariously, thanks to Tony Hale).  Katrina Bowden in Badgley Mischka: She walks the line between "can wear anything" and "I'm on a multi-nominated show" very well. This is simple and elegant with an interesting back design and front embellishment that might be flattering on most humans, but nothing is unflattering on her. Also, navy instead of black was a nice touch. |  Taylor Schilling in Thakoon: To me, this was the perfect first-appearance dress. It was revealing in all the right places, on-trend in white and interesting, but it didn't ask for too much attention while still evoking the glamour of a gown.  Carrie Preston in Romona Keveza: She arrived at the awards already a winner, and her look reflected that. She kept it simple in a flattering form fitting pale pink gown with a glamorous flare at the bottom, but the black piping and buttons down the back made this extra interesting. She updated old Hollywood expertly. |  Mindy Kaling in Edition by Georges Chakra: I can't say this was my absolute favorite, but I think it works well on her and the neckline detail is interesting. I don't love her hair, but the flattering and tasteful dress makes up for the look overall.  Christine Baranski in designer unknown: As someone who seems to own any place she's in (or screen she's on), the Emmy red carpet was no exception. It might be in nothing-new red, but the silhouette is so flattering and warrants a second look. It's an age-appropriate risk that really worked. Image via: People.com. |  Elisabeth Moss in Andrew Gn: This may have been my favorite of the night. Up close the dress has a shimmer and a rich texture, it fits perfectly and her blonde-again hair and red-orange lip are the perfect complements to a simple, but still interesting dress.  Alexi Ashe in Carolina Herrera: It's hard to make us look away from Seth's amazingness, but this dress deserves a mention. It's flattering and interesting and looks great on Seth's arm while not pretending to steal the show. I'd really like this one for my closet. Image via: People.com. |
worst.
 Julie Bowen in Zac Posen: I think this was my worst dressed of the night. She's small, the dress was large, there was SO MUCH happening on it and it looked like scraps of other dresses all sewn together. It makes me so sad.  Anna Chlumsky in Badgley Mischka: I first thought of a mermaid when I saw this dress. Not mermaid-style, but an actual under the sea mermaid. The side vents do no favors, and it doesn't seem to fit so well. The unpolished hair and clashing pink lip don't add anything to the look, either. Just a miss. |  Amanda Peet in Erdem: This is another sad black dress Addams Family failure. It has little working for it and everything working against it. Overdone sheer black on nude, sheer bottom, baggy in weird places, high neck. All around no.  Amy Poehler in Basler: This might make me saddest of all. Despite wearing "a good attitude" on the carpet like she said on E!, this dress is an all around no. It's weird, it's unflattering, it's drab. I so want to like what she wears to match how much I like her, I wish she'd call for help. |  Heidi Klum in Atelier Versace: This dress maybe might not be so bad without the neckpiece, but I find that part so offensive, and the bodice could probably be more flattering. I appreciate the color of this, but she really looks like she's trying to be dressy Iron Man for Halloween, and I just can't.  Meritt Wever in unknown designer: She might have gone with red carpet mainstay black and white, but it's just all wrong. It's unflattering and dated, and though I appreciate the red lip, a younger, more modern choice would have made her great non-speech that much more endearing. |  Lena Headey in Alessandra Rich: Oh, Lena. This is so bad. The overdone sheer over granny panties, the snake print pattern, the stark white shoes with all of it. None of it works, and I want some of it to so badly. Cersei would give this the side eye.  Aubrey Plaza in Marios Schwab: Something about this could convince me that it might not be so tragic with some edits, but this also makes me sad in an Addams Family goes on What Not To Wear kind of way. And flower appliqués on the sleeves...ick. Don't age yourself, Aubrey. Or make poor choices like this one. |
the risks/nap-inducers
risks.
 Linda Cardellini in Donna Karan Atelier: I went back and forth on this for a while, but I think I really like it and the way her hair mirrors the dress. It kind of looks like lady parts, but it fits her exquisitely, isn't too much and brings the appropriate amount of drama, color and sophistication. |  Connie Britton in Naeem Khan: I'm glad she wore her flowing red locks down for all to see because this dress just doesn't do it. I appreciate the risk, but it's ill-fitting and, despite being very dramatic, falls flat. Something about it doesn't line up with her persona. |  Jane Krakowski in Zac Posen: This dress is neither here nor there for me, except the color, which I love. It's a departure for her in style and color. It's very red carpet "glam" and she's posing to match that sentiment. I think it was a good risk to take on a night where she was favored to (and should have) won. |  Rose Byrne in Calvin Klein: This seems understated in color and silhouette, but I always think midriff is a risk at fancy awards shows. I think she pulls it off amazingly and looks great in this. Her beauty is also understated, which pairs well with the dress, letting the eye find the subtle interest in the fashion. |  Zosia Mamet in Honor: I love that she went for a relatively unknown designer, and I actually really like this dress. I go back and forth on the leather boob bar, but I think it adds a Zosia-appropriate edge to this gown and it's perfect for the Emmys. Well-risked. Despite what many are saying about it. |
sleepers.
 Allison Williams in Ralph Lauren: This made me so angry, not because the dress is so horrible, because it's actually very lovely. Very lovely and so. extremely. boring. I yelled at the TV when I saw it. She's so young and pretty and thin, she could wear ANYTHING. And she chose this plain, princess number, which is fine, but unacceptable for her. And the styling adds nothing. Image via: People.com |  Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang: Cue eye roll. We get it, you're curvy and hot. You have can't-miss boobs. It's red, and fits we--oh, sorry just fell asleep. |  January Jones in Givenchy: It seems weird that this was custom because it's so nothing. Again, it's fine, but fine is red carpet suicide and it also washes her out. The alternative, which we've seen from her, can be much worse, but at least it's also entertaining. |  Cobie Smulders in J. Mendel: I actually don't mind this dress, but it is undoubtably boring. And the bust detail is unflattering. Her face was very simple and pretty, though, which made up for it. |  Carrie Underwood in Romona Keveza: This dress just feels like old news. It's iridescent and princess-y and the necklace makes it feel so homecoming dance. Very unforgettable, I was over it when I saw it. Image via: People.com |
the grew on me's
 Claire Danes in Armani Privé: This dress was originally (and continued to be) offensive because of how poorly it fits her boobs but if this was hiked up to change that fact, this would be extremely elegant, interesting. After sitting on it for a while, this is actually one of my favorites, and only gets better from the back. |  Michelle Dockery in Prada: I continue to go back and forth on this. I think it's very lovely and flattering and I love the big bow detail at the neck of the halter in the back. I think I'm underwhelmed by the red on maroon, but it deserves a mention because she did well and it's a bold statement that ultimately works. |  Anna Gunn in Romona Keveza: I really hated this at first, and now I'm only kind of lukewarm about it. The idea of it is extremely dated and reminds me of 90s churchwear, but I think the asymmetric neckline and waist seam help update it and just fits her so well that I'm having a hard time holding a grudge against it. |
the pleasant surprises/disappointments
surprises.
 Carrie Brownstein in unknown designer: I didn't really expect much out of her, and this is really delightful. It's like well-fitting, structured, quirky old Hollywood and her red lip with it is really great. Well done.  Padma Lakshmi in Kaufmanfranco: Usually her red carpet choices skew a little wacky, so this structural number was a welcome surprise. The little cutout is interesting and tasteful and the illusion netting offers a really cool aesthetic. The large cuff is the perfect accessory. |  Morgan Saylor in Honor: Another unexpected choice from the usually disheveled Homeland daughter, this is age appropriate and fun while still being sophisticated. It's a really unexpected and interesting play on go-to black and white.  Kiernan Shipka in Delpozo: I first saw the top half of this and was like !!!!! then I saw the rest and was less like that. But then the more I look at it the more I re-like it. It's, as always, age appropriate, interesting, fun and looks great on Kiernan. |  Danielle Brooks in David Meister: I wasn't expecting to see her here, and what I saw of her during fashion week events was underwhelming, so this well fitting, striking dress was a nice surprise. She looks very glamorous and that color could not be better with her skin tone.  Christina Hendricks in Christian Siriano: I'm usually appalled by her red carpet choices and how poorly they fit compared to her perfect Mad Men costuming, so this was so refreshing to see. I don't actually love the dress, but I'm so thankful that her boobs aren't on display and that is shows off her signature curves so well that I don't even care. Now for that hair... |
disappointments.
 Kate Mara in J. Mendel: I want to like this so much, but it's resoundingly eh. It fits fine, but it doesn't quite land, and her super editorial hair seems harsh. It's visiually interesting, it just doesn't excite me and she could definitely do better. I do like the unsurprising choice of white, though.  Leslie Mann in J. Mendel: This dress had so much potential on the waist-up view. The pattern is unique and flattering and it works so well on her, but the sheer leg deal totally ruins the dress in the most frustrating way. If the skirt ended like it started, this would have been a best dressed, easily. Image via: People.com. |  Kerry Washington in Marchesa: I was possibly most excited to see what she was going to wear, and therefore most disappointed. She is a perfect human, and therefore looks perfect in this, which makes it harder to take, but this is just a sigh-ful "ughhh" accompanied by the sentiment that almost anything would have been better. Image via: People.com  Robin Wright in Ralph Lauren: I don't hate this dress that much, but I don't think it's right for this event, and based on how amazing she looked in every costume on House of Cards, I had high expectations that were far from met with this less than flattering or exciting choice. |  Zooey Deschanel in J. Mendel: Not only does this not fit or flatter her much, it's just so booooring and kind of reminds me of a 90s era bridesmaid dress. She is so vivacious and fun, I wish she would have picked a dress to match.  Lena Dunham in Prada: I so much want to like this dress on her, and I can appreciate where she was trying to go with this, but it didn't quite make it there.It's ill-fitting, has SO much fabric and doesn't really match her personality. It's not the quirk that bothers me, but it probably would have been more successful if she went for a different kind of quirk. But I don't hate the dress alone. |
tonal trends
Of course we saw the traditional red, black, white and keeping-it-safe-if-also-a-little-indecisive beige choices walk the carpet last night, but the most notable recurring trend were the rich jewel tones that we saw. Deep greens, blues and purples looked so elegant amongst the normal rotation of color choices. Almost white dresses were also pretty popular, proving to be more interesting than the obvious end of summer white. Black and white options, which are nothing new, were also a common pick last night, and some of the best of the night.
shades of blue
 Maria Menounos in Zac Posen. Image via: People.com |  Jane Krakowski in Zac Posen. |  Jessica Paré in Oscar de la Renta. |  Tina Fey in Narciso Rodriguez. |  Allison Williams in Ralph Lauren. Image via: People.com |
shades of plum
 Linda Cardellini in Donna Karan Atelier. |  Alyson Hannigan in Marchesa. |  Mindy Kaling in Edition by Georges Chakra. |  Melissa Rauch in Rubin Singer. |  Carrie Underwood in Romona Keveza. Image via: People.com |
not quite white
 Claire Danes in Armani Privé. |  Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Monique Lhuillier. |  Carrie Preston in Romona Keveza. |  Cobie Smulders in J. Mendel. |  Padma Lakshmi in Kaufmanfranco. |
black and white
 Julianna Margulies in Reed Krakoff. |  Leslie Mann in J. Mendel. Image via: People.com |  Elisabeth Moss in Andrew Gn. |  Alexi Ashe in Carolina Herrera. Image via: People.com |  Morgan Saylor in Honor. |
and the men!
I was pretty disappointed in the men of TV last night. Sure, a lot of them looked very dapper, but there was virtually no excitement or variation, little color and most of the attempts to be different fell flat. Almost all ties and bowties were black and traditionally shaped, tuxes went the normal route and I found myself being unfortunately bored by the menswear on the carpet.
the good.
 Neil Patrick Harris in Dolce & Gabbana: Wow. He killed it. I love the wine colored jacket with grey pants and patterned tie. It all worked, it was well-tailored and broke up the exhausting black menswear of the night. Even better that we got to see it all night. Image via: Esquire.com |  Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston in Burberry: I mean, look at this pair. They both know how to wear the hell out of a tux and Christopher Bailey did so right by the Breaking Bad duo. |  Will Arnett in Calvin Klein Collection: I love the black lapel on charcoal look, and though he nearly matched Ryan Seacrest, Arnett's height helped him along in winning the dapper-off, if that were a thing. Not best dressed was his face, which could have done without the orange tint. Image via: People.com |  Kevin Spacey in Burberry: I love a good midnight blue tux, and he did it justice. It's well-fitting and classic with the bowtie. I LOVED the fact that he wore a flag lapel pin upside down like the HOC logo. |  Nolan Gould in Brooks Brothers: Come on, how great does he look? I love the unique bowtie and the pocket square, but it doesn't look like he's trying to be too grown up or costume-y. He's starting to lose his baby face and the fitted tux is proving that his choices are evolving with him. Image via: People.com |
the meh.
 Jim Parsons in Z Zegna: I'll give him the fit of this tux. I mean, he is WEARING it. Go him, but that shirt just really upsets me. It looks like he left his car window open and drove through a dust storm and didn't change. Maybe offsetting it with a colored bowtie could have helped, but there wasn't much to do to help shirt choice mistake look. |  LL Cool J in unknown designer: Ugh. He looks fine, but take off the cap, PLEASE. Just take it off, it looks ridiculous. And the bowtie is very large and droopy. This look is just tired. Image via: People.com |  Jon Hamm in Georgio Armani: Jon Hamm has to work really hard to disappoint me, and last night he did. The facial hair hiding his beautiful face was strike one, but this weirdly off-white/white jacket against a stark white shirt with less than flattering pants and an uninspired bowtie. I feel like I'm looking at a cruise ship employee. |
the good effort.
 Kit Harington in unknown designer: I love him so much, and good for him for going for a wide satin lapel, three pieces and an excellent fit. The tie looks artfully loosened, but this isn't the place for that look, the vest is so...black, and the whole look is just dark and heavy. It's too much. His shoes are very nice, though, and of note, but he shouldn't wear something that competes so fiercely with his wonderful face. |  Zachary Quinto in Givenchy: I do think he looks great, but it's just so so dark. There was a satin piping on the jacket edges and it just is a little much, but I appreciate his different look. |
All photos via: TheCut.com, unless otherwise indicated.
