8 Best-Dressed Boomers At The Emmys

The 69th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards had no shortage of stylish celebrities dressed to slay the red carpet on Sunday night.

The award show celebrating the best and brightest on television had a few newcomers and a few faces you might not recognized – due to the incredible number of great TV shows currently on the airwaves. But as every young actor and actress attempted to put their very best foot forward, the resulting red carpet fashion parade of ingenues might have looked like they were dressed for prom night.

But leave it to the Hollywood veterans – and no strangers to red carpet award shows – to bring their very best fashion game to the big night. In a town that celebrates youth culture, sometimes it takes a legend to truly ignite a red carpet with bold style.

We take a look at what the most stylish actors in the over-50 category wore and what made it worked for them.

Scroll through our slide show below. 

 

JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS, 56

At 5’2″, the petite actress is the height of chic in a Carolina Herrera gown. A column gown helps elongate a small frame and the single branch of gold embroidery across the bodice helps give some decorative elegance without being overpowering.

 

JANE FONDA, 79

Sharp bangs, a long sleek pony tail, a shocking pink gown – all style notes befitting a young ingenue making her red carpet debut. Except this a Hollywood legend with an age-defying body, poured into a custom Brandon Maxwell gown, showcasing how you can take fashion cues from millennials, yet make it look flawlessly age-appropriate. Don’t be afraid to attempt this. Just pick one element and go ahead – such as bangs – ask your trusted hairdresser if it suits you. Or have fun for one special party and try some long extensions for fun.

SUSAN SARANDON, 70

Navy blue makes for a great alternative for black evening wear yet provides all the same traits – elegance and timelessness. And as this award-winning actress proves, it can also pack quite a sexy punch.

MICHELLE PFEIFFER, 59

While a black dress is a time-honoured choice for evening wear, how do you keep it from looking over-poweringly heavy? Opt for lace and tulle for a gossamer light look like this acclaimed actress in her Oscar de la Renta cocktail length dress.

CICELY TYSON, 92

If you’re lucky enough to be celebrating nonagenarian status and still be a working actress, you pretty much have earned the right to wear just about anything you damn well please. But this stage and screen legend never fails to turn up the style wattage for any red carpet event she attends. Her gown with matching coat in bold rich colour combo – pink and red! – made for a spectacular and dramatic look. Take away lesson here; when it comes to fashion, regardless of age always go for gusto.

VIOLA DAVIS, 52

The award-winning actress in her Zac Posen gown is a perfect example of how to wear juicy colour for formal evening events. First pick a colour to suit your skin tone. Keep it to a single hue (only the fashion-forward should try mixing multiple bold colours and patterns) and pare down the accessories.

NICOLE KIDMAN, 50

A red carpet doyenne, the actress who took home the Emmy for Lead Actress in a limited series/TV movie for her role in Big Little Lies, went for a glamourous retro look. But her tea length dress from Calvin Klein by Appointment looked modern with a plunging neckline and the choice of pink heels that looked mismatched. The shoes featured a bejewelled ankle strap on one, while the other shoe had the embellishment on the toe strap.

ROBIN WRIGHT, 51

If you’re going to resort to wearing a black gown in a sea of black gowns, at least make it shine and shimmer. That seems to be the message the House of Cards actress is signalling in her Mugler gown.