CNN  — 

Red carpet season is underway, and some of the biggest names in television descended on LA’s Peacock Theater for the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday.

Returning to its normal September slot (after the actors’ and writers’ strikes pushed last year’s ceremony to mid-January), the Emmys often hint at which TV shows may later clean up at the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards. They also, often, foretell the eveningwear trends that will reign large in Hollywood over the coming months.

The evening’s red carpet was a relatively demure affair, with many attendees opting for dark floor-length gowns, classic silhouettes and column dresses. There were, nonetheless, plenty of fun touches amid the conventionally elegant black outfits, from the subtle gold detailing of Laverne Cox’s vintage Alexander McQueen look to the sparkling pavé neckline of?Selena Gomez’s Ralph Lauren halter gown.

Some of the evening’s best moments, however, came in an altogether lighter shade: pink. There was the bubblegum shade of Meryl Streep’s pantsuit and pussy bow blouse, and the dusty pink of Hannah Einbinder’s crepe jersey and tulle Louis Vuitton gown. Eiza González and Aja Naomi King, in Tamara Ralph and Giambattista Valli respectively, also got in on the trend.

Elsewhere, attendees played with eye-catching materials, including “The Bear” actor Ayo Edebiri, who wowed in a mosaic-like sequined Bottega Veneta outfit, and Quinta Bruson, whose strapless Georges Chakra couture mermaid dress looked almost like liquid. Kristen Wiig (in Oscar de la Renta) and Gillian Anderson (in Emilia Wickstead) were among several attendees to impress in silvery metallic — and in the case of Ella Purnell’s Rabanne number, chainmail — gowns.

In the menswear department, many attendees eschewed traditional black-tie in favor of something more flamboyant. “Abbott Elementary” star Chris Perfetti impressed in a theatrical ruffled shirt from Christian Siriano’s Spring 2025 ready-to-wear collection and “Fallout” star Aaron Moten arrived in an all-red Kenzo suit with a Nehru collar. “The Traitors” actor Alan Cumming and fellow Scot Richard Gadd, creator of “Baby Reindeer,” both wore kilts, with the former’s plaid cummerbund train emerging from his cream Teddy von Ranson jacket to double up as a scarf.

Even those men opting for more conventional tailoring incorporated playful touches, from host Dan Levy’s sculptural Loewe neckline to the silky unbuttoned shirt of Jonathan Bailey’s Giorgio Armani suit.

See below for some of the evening’s best red carpet looks.

Meryl Streep, one of several attendees opting for pink, wore an Alexander McQueen pantsuit with pussy bow blouse.
“Shōgun” actor Tadanobu Asano in black-tie attire alongside actress wife Kurumi Nakata, who wowed the red carpet in a kimono featuring gold detailing worthy of a historical Japanese painting..
Hannah Einbinder’s elegant Louis Vuitton?gown featured an asymmetric draped top and gathered skirt.
Lily Gladstone arrived in a Rodarte gown featuring an eye-catching copper chest plate. She completed the look with?jewelry by Wempe.
Idris Elba in Calvin Klein.
Reese Witherspoon in a long tulle embroidered dress from Dior’s Cruise 2025 collection. She completed the look with Bucherer jewelry.
Bowen Yang, nominated as Outstanding Supporting Actor for “Saturday Night Live,” wore a cream Bode suit jacket over a bright red tasseled top. He accessorized with jewelry, a lapel pin and a watch (not pictured) —?all by Cartier.
Brie Larson in a custom Chanel midi dress embellished with drop crystal beads, a black satin bow and blue and silver crystal flowers.
Ayo Edebiri wore Bottega Veneta.
Jeremy Allen White kept things suave and simple in a Calvin Klein tuxedo.
Jennifer Aniston was seen in an ornate, pearl-embroidered scallop Oscar de la Renta column gown embellished with crystals and accessorized with earrings and bracelet from the Tiffany & Co. Archives.
“Gilded Age” star Carrie Coon’s eye-catching Thom Browne outfit played with menswear, combining a blazer and a flowing skirt with thigh slit.
Tyler James Williams paired a sleeveless Martini-fit Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo shirt and wool pants with a pair of leather boots.
Nava Mau, nominated for her performance in “Baby Reindeer," arrived in a plunging custom Gigi Goode gown.
Nicola Coughlan wore a high-shine sequin gown by Prabal Gurung.
“Shōgun” star?Hiroyuki Sanada wore a navy wool by Dior Men tuxedo and Oxford dress shoes by Allen Edmonds.
Eiza Gonzalez opted for a baby pink Tamara Ralph strapless couture gown with matching feather cape and David Yurman earrings.
Elizabeth Debicki in an elegant floor-length velvet dress by Dior.
"True Detective: Night Country" actor Kali Reis told reporters on the red carpet that she wore purple to honor her roots in the indigenous Wampanoag community, for whom the shade is a sign of status.
Kristen Wiig wore a striking laser-cut Oscar de la Renta gown.
"Baby Reindeer" creator Richard Gadd arrived in a custom Loewe jacket and?a kilt in his family tartan.
One of the “Shōgun” stars to impress on the red carpet, Anna Sawai arrived in Vera Wang and jewels by Cartier, for whom she is now a brand ambassador.
Gillian Anderson in a metallic Emilia Wickstead gown and Martin Katz jewels.
Rita Ora wore a pale pink Tamara Ralph creation with a dramatic feather shawl.
Jonathan Bailey and Matt Bomer in Giorgio Armani and Brioni, respectively.
Canadian actor and screenwriter Catherine O'Hara in a floor-length, long-sleeved silver Oscar de la Renta gown.
Mindy Kaling arrived in an off-the-shoulder Gaurav Gupta gown and?Wempe jewelry.
Greta Lee arrived in a lace Loewe gown.
Saoirse Ronan wore?a dark blue silk draped top and double silk A-line skirt by Louis Vuitton. Jack Lowden’s tuxedo was also designed by the French luxury house.
Chris Perfetti impressed in a theatrical ruffled shirt from Christian Siriano's Spring 2025 ready-to-wear collection.
“Shōgun” star Moeka Hoshi looked elegant in an embellished Miu Miu chiffon gown with black feather and crystal detailing.
Laverne Cox was seen in vintage Alexander McQueen.
Alan Cumming, in Teddy Vonranson,?wore a black wool kilt with a plaid cummerbund train that emerged from his cream jacket to double up as a scarf.
Dakota Fanning opted for a pearl-studded Armani Privé dress.
Quinta Bruson’s strapless Georges Chakra Couture dress looked almost like liquid.
"Fallout" star Aaron Moten arrived in an all-red Kenzo suit with a Nehru collar.
“Reservation Dogs” star Devery Jacobs’s cream suit was brought to life with layers of tulle.
Ella Purnell wore a chainmail gown by Rabanne.
Dan Levy, in Loewe, poses with his father —?and co-host for the evening — Eugene, wearing Prada.
Aja Naomi King in an ornate design from Giambattista Valli’s Fall-Winter 2024 Couture collection.
Long-time “Top Chef” host Padma Lakshmi in a strapless sequined off-white gown.
Selina Gomez, nominated in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance in "Only Murders in the Building," arrived in a black halter neck Ralph Lauren gown with a sparkling pavé neckline. She completed the look with a variety of Tiffany & Co. jewels.
Activist and actor Dallas Goldtooth in a navy peak lapel Canali tuxedo.
“The Bear” actor Molly Gordon in a plunging black dress by Versace.
Andrew Scott, in Vivienne Westwood, paired a wide-lapel jacket with a low-slung ruffled shirt.
The cast of RuPaul's Drag Race season 16.
British actor Rosalind Eleazar wore a pink gown by Rick Owens.
“Queer Eye” star Bobby Berk, in a textured dark navy suit, posed alongside actor Emily Hampshire, whose asymmetric outfit by Dolce & Gabanna put a fun spin on formal attire.
US rugby star and Olympic bronze medalist Ilona Maher wore a vintage blue velvet Oscar de la Renta gown.