With Fall fashion and awards season steadily approaching, Sunday’s Emmy Awards set a tone for upcoming trends.

Rebecca Gayheart in Carlos Miele

Strapless was definitely in at this awards show. Even Lisa Rinna, who hosted TV Guide’s red carpet show pointed out that she was in fashion because her dress was a strapless, white, Reem Acra. Many celebrities opted for either black, white, or red for television’s biggest night.

Ali Larter in Reem Acra

Sporting ebony or ivory were Ketherine Heigl, Mariska Hargitay, Sandra Oh, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Anna Ortiz, Debra Messing, Kyra Sedgewick, Neil Patrick Harris, Steve Carell, and Omar Epps. Katherine Heigl’s flowing, white, Zac Posen gown was illuminated by her daring, sexy red lips. Mariska Hargitay posed in black Posen that carried a touch of sparkle. Sandra Oh is known for Grey’s Anatomy, but her dress was black and white Bottega Vaneta. The gown featured a ruffle along the strapless bodice, making her dress look vintage and feminine. Jennifer Love Hewitt’s strapless, sequined Reem Acra perfectly hugged her figure.

Katherine Heigl in Zac Posen

Hewitt confessed to Lisa Rinna that she chose her gown because of the beautiful cut. Ugly Betty’s Anna Ortiz also wore black, strapless and sparkly, although her gown was made by Escada and was accented by a lime green Leiber flower adorning her updo.  Debra Messing, who is always known for her old-Hollywood elegance, was spot on in a white Ralph Lauren that had black stripes swirling around the bodice and bottom of the gown. Messing’s understated elegance was carried through to her jewelry. Huge diamond drop earrings stood out against her straight red hair, and Brian Atwood black shoes stood out as they touched the red carpet. The Closer’s Kyra Sedgewick took a chance with a 2 piece Oscar de la Renta outfit featuring a full, black, ball gown skirt that was adorned with feathers. The top was black, sleeveless, and silky. Unfortunately, basic, black, and trendy feathers couldn’t save Sedgewick’s ensemble.

Heidi Klum in Dior

Men also emulated the black and white trend, but viewed their fashion choices with more humor than taste. Neil Patrick Harris looked dashing in all black on black Prada, even as he joked about how his clothing choices had subsequently made him feel even hotter in the Hollywood heat. Steve Carell chose crisp and classic black and white Paul Smith. The funnyman joked that he didn’t put too much thought into the Paul Smith ensemble, but rather chose it merely because it fit. Omar Epps and his wife sported black and white as well. Epps sported Gucci, proudly announcing that he picked the outfit on his own.

Melora Hardin in Reem Acra

The carpet wasn’t the only red in fashion at this year’s Emmy’s. Also seeing red were Ali Larter, Sally Field, and Heidi Klum. Heroes star Ali Larter was trendy in strapless Reem Acra knotted at the bust, creating a beautiful silhouette. Emmy veteran Sally Field wore strapless, signature Valentino Red. Heidi Klum’s red ran deep. The model and nominee for Project Runway, chose a deeper shade of red for her strapless Dior.

Sarah Chalke in Monique Luehllier

The red carpet was full of other stunners and blunders too.  Ugly Betty star Rebecca Romijn channeled the Jazz Age in her vintage, off-white, sparkly dress, which was cut short enough to reveal her long legs. Romijn chose to bob her hair, allowing her to pull off a vintage look that was anything but Ugly.  

Angela Kinsey wore anything but Office attire. Kinsey showed off a custom-made pale blue  Cynthia Rowley dress. The dress featured one of fall’s hottest trends: an origami inspired cut on the front. Blue worked well for Rebecca Gayheart too, who donned satin Carlos Miele that came with a matching satin, blue clutch. 30 Rock’s Tina Fey rocked a dark navy Carolina Hererra dress. The halter dress had sequins along the neckline, but Fey pointed out to reporters that her favorite part of the dress was the interior, which consisted of polka dots. America Fererra chose a primary blue strapless Monique Luehllier. The dress was cut below the knees, elongating Fererra’s legs. The Ugly Betty star’s blue dress was dramatized with multi-colored beading at the waistband, creating a slimming shape.

Kyra Sedgewick in Oscar de la Renta

One of the best dressed was Scrubs star Sarah Chalke who too was Luehllier clad. Chalke’s gown contained ruffles along the neckline, straps and front of the grey gown. The coloring and jeweled details on the front looked fresh and extravagant on Chalke who’s wavy blonde hair perfectly completed the romantic look.

Minnie Driver managed to pull off one of the most difficult colors on the carpet. The actress wore a strapless, yellow Donna Karan gown that made her somewhat resemble the Emmy herself. Also in yellow, was The Office’s Melora Hardin, who’s pink and yellow sparkly Reem Acra, made her confide to Lisa Rinna that she chose it because it made her feel like “sorbet.”

Marcia Cross looked like anything but your average Housewife in her silver Georges Chakra gown. The gown perfectly floated from her body, making the actress look angelic. Heroes’ Hayden Panettiere wore a similar silhouette. Panettiere’s  taffeta, orange Marc Bower gown however brought out the actress’s tan and not much else. While Panettiere’s hair was elegantly swept up, her color choice daring, and the jewels on the front of the dress were exquisite, the piece ultimately made Panettiere look bulky rather than young and sexy.

 The real winners at this year’s Emmys were thus basic black, heavenly white, daring red, strapless, sparkle, and Reem Acra.  

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