Television’s brightest hit the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles today as the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards got underway. On the red carpet, several trends have emerged. Lilac and lavender were the standout shades—see Emilia Clarke’s Prada and Sarah Pidgeon‘s Chanel numbers. There was an emphasis on silhouette and shape—Cynthia Nixon’s expansive, voluminous Issey Miyake; and the Edwardian austerity of Carrie Coon’s Maison Margiela gown. And there was, for a kick of Hollywood glamour, lots of shiny dresses: Selena Gomez statuesque and golden in Louis Vuitton, Zendaya’s bejewelled semi-sheer Prada, and Elle Fanning in slinky jade silk chiffon by Ralph Lauren micro-embroidered with glass beads.
But it was perhaps most interesting to see that, in the jewellery department, the great styling question of the night seemed to be this: earrings or a necklace? With so many strapless gowns, the preponderance of bare necks almost begged the question of where the showstopper jewels were? The answer was simply to look to the ears, where more and more beautiful jewellery seem to be hiding. And unlike the traditional red carpet method of styling hair up to show off the earrings, we’re seeing hair increasingly worn down and the jewels allowed to hide and peek out as they move. Au naturel, in a sense.
What is happening with jewellery on the red carpets in 2026, it seems, is a softening of opulence and ostentation. Perhaps it’s a good thing. After years and years of stacking and piling jewels on, the look seems to be shifting to something more pure and simplified. The most modern and beautifully dressed celebrities at the 2026 Emmys, in fact, made clear choices to wear either a fabulous necklace or a pair of earrings, and—very importantly—to let the light touch of diamonds and gems have maximum effect in enhancing their outfits.
Earrings, in particular, can frame and enhance a face so beautifully. See Cynthia Nixon’s diamond cascades by New York firm Wempe Jewellers, which cut a sharp contrast against the asymmetrical volume and drama of her burgundy Issey Miyake dress; or Keri Russell’s ornate pair by Buccellati that gave her just the needed touch of texture and shine against her leather Khaite number.
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If opting for a necklace, though, it would be smart to take a leaf out of Florence Pugh’s or Shailene’s Woodley’s books and go for bold size and colour. Otherwise, lean on designs that accentuate the dress. Supriya Ganesh, for instance, opted for a most delightful, lighthearted aquamarine necklace by Los Angeles jeweller Irene Neuwirth that matched her baby blue McQueen dress perfectly. And Carrie Coon made the sharp and chic choice of a V-line design of baguette diamonds by De Beers London to play off the strict lines of her Margiela look.
One more detail that’s re-emerging on the red carpets. As a mood of discretion and subtlety takes hold of the zeitgeist, the ever-elegant and classic pearl is coming back to the fore as choice evening jewels. The simple, enchanting beauty of pearls were on show in three great looks at the Emmy Awards: fabulous white South Sea pearl pieces by Mikimoto on Zendaya and Ayo Edebiri, and a great vintage pair on Jean Smart—who made Emmy history by taking home the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for a fifth and consecutive time for the final season of Hacks. Now there’s a winning look.
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Colman Domingo
Wearing Boucheron as a sash clip and an Omega watch.
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Ayo Edebiri
Wearing Mikimoto white South Sea cultured pearl and diamond earrings and ring.
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Cynthia Nixon
Wearing Wempe Jewellers diamond earrings.
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Shailene Woodley
Wearing HOWL Frida Venetian glass necklace.
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Sarah Snook
Wearing Cartier.
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Zendaya
Wearing Mikimoto Les Pétales Place Vendôme white South Sea cultured pearl earrings.
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Olivia Munn
Wearing Boucheron.
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Keri Russell
Wearing Buccellati Macri Colour earrings.
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Florence Pugh
Wearing Bvlgari.
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Emma D'Arcy
Wearing Tiffany & Co. Lock pendants with pink sapphires.
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Carrie Coon
Wearing De Beers London.
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Supriya Ganesh
Wearing Irene Neuwirth Gemmy Gems aquamarine necklace.
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Sarah Pidgeon
Wearing Chanel.
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Elle Fanning
Wearing Cartier.
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Grace Gummer
Wearing Boucheron.
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Julia Garner
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Louisa Jacobson
Wearing Tiffany & Co. Jean Schlumberger Apollo earrings and brooch.
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Jean Smart
Wearing vintage pearl and diamond earrings from Saidian Vintage Jewels.
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Emilia Clarke
Wearing Boucheron.
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Tiffany Haddish
Wearing Boucheron.
