The best celebrity dresses on the red carpet at the Emmys 2021

emmys 2021 red carpet
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Emmys 2021 red carpet did not disappoint, after a too-long hiatus. Celebrities such as Anya Taylor-Joy, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Kate Winslet and Kerry Washington put on their glad rags for the seriously stylish affair, which was held at the Event Deck in Los Angeles last night.

It was a far cry from last year's digital affair, and I'm pleased to report that Hollywood's finest traded in its silky PJs and loungewear for designer gowns custom-created by the biggest fashion houses from Dior to Etro.

The gowns were nothing short of incredible. Think floor-grazing creations in show-stopping shades of sunshine yellow, neon green and showstopper read.

As with any glitzy award, there were lots of daring silhouettes at the Emmy Awards, the stand-out of the night being Michaela Coel's midriff-baring gown designed by Christopher John Rogers (and don't get me started on her incredible acceptance speech, in which she dedicated her award to 'every single survivor of sexual assault').

It seemed that colourful, joyful gowns were the A-List’s go-to this year, as star after star flocked the red carpet in all the colours of the rainbow, from America Ferrera's purple silk slip dress, to Anya Taylor-Joy's yellow Dior gown, Kaley Cuoco's lime green Vera Wang and Sarah Paulson's red Carolina Herrera ballgown.

Of course, it wouldn't be a red carpet without a few sequins, and Amy Poehler, Keri Russel and Issa Rae all delivered on that front.

Minimalists will also enjoy the monochrome looks on the night, including Mindy Kaling's gorgeous Carolina Herrera column dress complete with oversized bow sash, Ellen Pompeo's Elie Saab jumpsuit, Jurnee Smollett's cream Dior dress, and Kerry Washington's custom Etro corset dress in the palest of greys.

All in all, it was one very stylish Emmys 2021 red carpet, and boy am I glad it's back. Click through to see all the best dressed celebs from this year’s ceremony.

Michaela Coel

Michaela Coel

In Christopher John Rogers and wearing Alighieri earrings
(Image credit: Getty Images)

In Christopher John Rogers and wearing Alighieri earrings

Mandy Moore in

Mandy Moore in

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett

In Greta Constantine
(Image credit: Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag)

In Greta Constantine

Elizabeth Olsen

Elizabeth Olsen

Wearing The Row
(Image credit: 2021 CBS Photo Archive)

Wearing The Row

Issa Rar

Issa Rar

In Aliétte
(Image credit: Jay L. Clendenin)

In Aliétte

Mindy Kaling

Mindy Kaling

In Carolina Herrera
(Image credit: 2021 CBS Photo Archive)

In Carolina Herrera

Jurnee Smollett

Jurnee Smollett

In Dior
(Image credit: Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag)

In Dior

Kaley Cuoco

Kaley Cuoco

In Vera Wang
(Image credit: Getty Images)

In Vera Wang

Anya Taylor-Joy

Anya Taylor-Joy

Wearing Dior
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Wearing Dior

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington

In custom Etro
(Image credit: Jay L. Clendenin)

In custom Etro

Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys

Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys

Kerri wears Zuhair Murad
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Kerri wears Zuhair Murad

Ellen Pompeo

Ellen Pompeo

In Elie Saab
(Image credit: Getty Images)

In Elie Saab

Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet

Wearing Armani Privé
(Image credit: CBS via Getty Images)

Wearing Armani Privé

Sarah Paulson

Sarah Paulson

In Carolina Herrera
(Image credit: Jay L. Clendenin)

In Carolina Herrera

America Ferrera

America Ferrera

(Image credit: Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag)

Yara Shahidi

Yara Shahidi

In Dior
(Image credit: 2021 CBS Photo Archive)

In Dior

Penny Goldstone

Penny Goldstone is the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire, covering everything from catwalk trends to royal fashion and the latest high street and Instagram must-haves.

Penny grew up in France and studied languages and law at the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris before moving to the UK for her MA in multimedia journalism at Bournemouth University. She moved to the UK permanently and has never looked back (though she does go back regularly to stock up on cheese and wine).

Although she's always loved fashion - she used to create scrapbooks of her favourite trends and looks, including Sienna Miller and Kate Moss' boho phase - her first job was at MoneySavingExpert.com, sourcing the best deals for everything from restaurants to designer sales.

However she quit after two years to follow her true passion, fashion journalism, and after many years of internships and freelance stints at magazines including Red, Cosmopolitan, Stylist and Good Housekeeping, landed her dream job as the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK.

Her favourite part of the job is discovering new brands and meeting designers, and travelling the world to attend events and fashion shows. Seeing her first Chanel runway IRL at Paris Fashion Week was a true pinch-me moment.