By Rifan Muazin 
Who says the golden age of prestige TV is over? Not anyone watching last night’s broadcast of the 78th Emmy Awards, that’s for certain. As the creators of Widow’s Bay, The Pitt, Pluribus, The Gilded Age, Slow Horses, and Hacks picked up their statuettes last night, it underscored just how strong the 2026 lineup has been so far. The evening, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, served as a definitive rebuttal to the notion that the streaming era has hit a creative plateau. Instead, the night celebrated a diverse array of storytelling, from the chilling horror-comedy of Widow’s Bay to the high-stakes political maneuvering of Pluribus.
The red-carpet styling was no less satisfying than the awards themselves. While previous years have been marked by a game of brinksmanship among Hollywood’s elite to outdo each other with ever-freakier getups—an era of "maximalist chaos" that often prioritized social media virality over actual elegance—this award season kicked off with remarkable restraint. The 2026 Emmys signaled a return to what fashion critics are calling "The New Formalism," a movement characterized by impeccable tailoring, luxurious fabrics, and a focus on the subtle details that elevate a man from merely dressed to truly styled.
Yes, there were some big swings courtesy of Alan Cumming and Colman Domingo—a man who seems incapable of looking bad in anything—but most of the night’s best looks showed you don’t need to reinvent black-tie to make it look fresh. From wide trousers that harken back to the golden age of Hollywood to quirky neckwear and the strategic use of brooches, red carpet excellence in 2026 is all in the details. The shift suggests a maturing of the male celebrity wardrobe, where the goal is no longer to shock, but to endure. Here are our favorites from a night that proved men’s fashion is currently in its most sophisticated era in decades.
11. Noah Wyle in Brunello Cucinelli
There are no fancy bells and whistles here, no wacky designer flourishes or weirdo, fresh-off-the-runway deep cuts. All that’s here is The Pitt star Noah Wyle looking every bit the leading man in an almost-gray evening jacket and just-right black trousers. Wyle, whose return to medical drama in The Pitt has been one of the year’s most celebrated television events, understands the power of "quiet luxury." Brunello Cucinelli, the Italian "King of Cashmere," is the perfect partner for this aesthetic. The jacket’s subtle texture and the precision of the shoulder line reflect Cucinelli’s philosophy of humanistic capitalism—clothing that respects the wearer and the craft. On a night when Hollywood’s flashiest dressers are encouraged to really go for it, keeping it simple is a swerve in and of itself. Wyle’s look serves as a reminder that a perfectly fitted jacket is the ultimate power move.
10. Matthew Rhys in Thom Browne
Rhys made history last night as the first actor to win two lead acting Emmys in a single night—for his roles in the atmospheric horror-comedy Widow’s Bay and the psychological thriller The Beast in Me. To commemorate such a monumental achievement, he turned to arguably the modern Hollywood red-carpet standard bearer for his ensemble: Thom Browne. Browne, who has spent the last two decades redefining the American suit, provided Rhys with a look that balanced the designer’s avant-garde reputation with the gravity of the occasion. Rather than showing out in one of Browne’s zingier kilts or experimental tweeds, the Welshman opted for a classic black three-piece in the designer’s signature shrunken cut. The high armholes and cropped jacket are Browne staples, but on Rhys, they felt grounded and authoritative. All the better to let his dual hardware really shine.
9. Kingston Rumi Southwick
Given that he’s just 18 years old, we don’t blame Widow’s Bay star Southwick for wanting to break from tradition and show out with his Emmys look. The youth movement on the red carpet often leans toward the garish, but Southwick displayed a sartorial maturity far beyond his years. What landed him on this list is the admirable restraint he showed in his experimentation. The look featured silvery chain embroidery on his cuffs and down his seams, providing a metallic flash that caught the flashbulbs without looking like a costume. In a particularly modern move, he swapped the traditional bow-tie for a statement brooch and draped a simple black scarf around his neck, adding a layer of Romanticism to the ensemble. With the slightest of flares in his trousers, he nodded to ’70s silhouettes while remaining firmly in the present. Beyond all that, this is just a nicely cut, nicely executed tuxedo. Well done, young man.
8. Oscar Isaac in Celine
Beef star Oscar Isaac is a man of poignant subtleties, on the screen and off. His heel turn as beleaguered country-club manager Joshua MartÃn in the second season of the hit Netflix show was deliciously easy to root against, but his outfit at last night’s Emmy Awards might just be the redemption arc he deserves. Dressed in Celine by Hedi Slimane, Isaac leaned into the designer’s signature rock-and-roll-inflected tailoring. The jacket was slightly boxy, providing a modern silhouette that moved away from the ultra-slim fits of the previous decade. The real magic, however, was in the relaxed trousers that puddled ever-so-elegantly over his shoes—a trend that has dominated the 2026 runways. It was a look that felt effortless, a "cool guy" take on formalwear that only someone with Isaac’s inherent charisma could pull off. No beef on our end, folks.
7. Paul Anthony Kelly in Louis Vuitton
Kelly didn’t have to wear a backward Kangol hat on the red carpet to evoke the spirit of John F. Kennedy Jr., a man who could wear the absolute heck out of a classic tux. Instead, the Love Story star—who has captivated audiences with his portrayal of the 20th-century icon—opted for a look that felt exactly like the kind of thing the ’90s menswear icon might have worn if he were attending the Emmys today. Designed by Louis Vuitton under the creative direction of Pharrell Williams, the look was equal parts traditional and of-the-moment. It balanced a conservative, architectural cut with expressive details like an oversized velvet bowtie and a clutch of tasteful gold jewelry. Kelly’s ensemble proved that you can pay homage to the past while remaining firmly planted in the contemporary luxury landscape.
6. Matty Matheson in Harry Rosen
Of all the words one might use to describe the Canadian celebrity chef-turned-actor, "understated" isn’t among them. Still, Matheson, nominated for his role as executive producer on The Bear, nailed the assignment with an elevated black-tie look that felt only a little zany. Working with Canadian retail giant Harry Rosen, Matheson showcased how a larger-than-life personality can fit into a traditional frame. His teeny-tiny batwing bowtie and cat-eye shades did most of the heavy lifting, providing the "Matty" flair his fans expect. However, the addition of a cummerbund and spats brought a touch of Victorian dandyism to the red carpet. As always, impeccable fit is the secret to making it work; the tuxedo was tailored to perfection, proving that style is not about size, but about silhouette.
5. Jason Segel in Isaia
Staring down the tail-end of wedding season and still haven’t figured out how your tuxedo should fit? You’re in luck: Last night, Jason Segel showed us all exactly how to black-tie like the second coming of ’80s-era Harrison Ford. Segel, whose work in Shrinking has earned him a new level of critical respect, hit the red carpet with a sense of rugged elegance. His Shrinking co-star and de-facto work wife, Harrison Ford, was also in attendance, but it was Segel’s Isaia tuxedo that stole the show. The Neapolitan brand is famous for its "soft" tailoring, and Segel’s suit featured the perfect balance of structure and comfort. Just pull this picture up the next time you bring a tux to the tailor, and let the sublime, no-nonsense proportions on display here do the talking.
4. Adam Brody in Prada
Now this is how you age gracefully as a former teen heartthrob, folks. Brody, who has enjoyed a massive career resurgence lately, proved that he is now a heavyweight in the style department. His Prada rig was a masterclass in proportion, accentuating his lean physique beautifully while balancing rakish ’70s swagger with enduring screen-idol appeal. The teensy silk scarf and wide peak lapels provided a vintage feel, but the rich navy wool and glossy black boots kept the look grounded in 2026. Prada has long been the brand of choice for the "intellectual" actor, and Brody wears it with an ease that suggests he’s just as comfortable discussing cinema theory as he is walking a red carpet.
3. Lee Sung Jin in Canali
Over the last few years, Beef creator Lee Sung Jin has emerged as one of the dapperest behind-the-camera talents in Hollywood, freaking it on red carpets in everything from Margiela Tabis to exaggerated shoulder pads. For the 78th Emmys, however, he opted for a more refined approach in an impeccably tailored Canali tux. The beauty of this look was in the minutiae: the size of his glasses, the specific curve of his shawl lapels, and the deliberate "droop" of his bow tie. It was a look that communicated success and taste without needing to scream. Lee Sung Jin’s ascent as a style icon mirrors his ascent as a showrunner; both are defined by a meticulous attention to detail and a refusal to settle for the ordinary.
2. Colman Domingo in Valentino
All hail Colman Domingo, king of the red carpet, who takes more big swings than Barry Bonds and never seems to miss. Nominated this year for his roles in Euphoria and The Four Seasons, the global ambassador for Maison Valentino has access to the kind of wardrobe menswear nerds dream of. This custom Nehru jacket and sash combo is a testament to the creative partnership between Domingo and the house of Valentino. It’s a look that defies traditional Western gender norms while remaining incredibly masculine and regal. Few people could pull off any part of this outfit—the intricate draping, the unconventional collar—and yet he makes it look as effortless as a T-shirt and jeans. Domingo isn’t just wearing clothes; he’s creating cultural moments.
1. Woody Harrelson in Celine and Matthew McConaughey in Tom Ford
Amid all the heavy stuff going on in the world these days, the reappearance of these two lovable goofballs—real-life best friends who star in the upcoming Apple TV+ series, Brothers—provides a much-needed shot of dopamine. Their arrival was the highlight of the night, a reminder of the power of genuine chemistry. True to form, McConaughey and Harrelson didn’t bother with the traditional constraints of black-tie (or the red carpet itself, opting for a more casual entrance). McConaughey opted for a vibey and relaxed Celine number, reflecting the "indie-sleaze" revival that has permeated 2026 fashion. Harrelson, meanwhile, chose a pinstriped Tom Ford suit that called back to his scene-stealing turn in The Wolf of Wall Street. The contrast between Celine’s slim, rock-star aesthetic and Tom Ford’s broad-shouldered, hyper-masculine tailoring was a perfect visual representation of their "odd couple" dynamic. Most importantly, both looked completely at ease, which, whether you wear a tux or not, is the whole idea. Their presence was a victory for friendship and for the idea that the best accessory any man can wear is a sense of humor.
