The red carpet has long been a battleground for sartorial supremacy, where women’s couture gowns typically steal the limelight, leaving menswear as an afterthought. Yet, at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2024, something exceptional occurred. In a sea of sophisticated gowns, it was the male attendees who truly dazzled, breaking conventions with bold, playful, and highly individualistic fashion choices. At LA’s Peacock Theater, these men redefined the parameters of red carpet style, proving that male fashion can be as daring and diverse as its female counterpart.
This year’s Emmys red carpet was not about classic tuxedos and safe choices. Instead, it revealed a creative renaissance in men’s fashion that celebrated self-expression, flamboyance, and the deconstruction of traditional black-tie codes. In this article, we explore how these fashion-forward men outshone their female counterparts, analysing the trends that emerged and the ways in which Hollywood’s leading men are rewriting the rules of red carpet dressing.
Breaking the Black-Tie Convention
While classic tuxedos were still present, some of the most notable looks of the night toyed with the codes of traditional menswear. Irish actor Andrew Scott was a prime example of this sartorial rebellion. Known for his daring approach to fashion, Scott arrived in a Vivienne Westwood ensemble that subverted expectations. Rather than opting for a classic white shirt and bow tie, he donned a low-cut, ruffled black shirt beneath a wide-lapeled jacket. The result was a blend of romanticism and punk sensibility – a look that both challenged and honoured black-tie convention.
Meanwhile, Tyler James Williams, star of Abbott Elementary, brought a rebellious twist to his Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo. What could have been a predictable choice for cocktail wear was transformed by one key detail: the shirt had no sleeves. Williams’ sleeveless look blurred the lines between formality and casualness, injecting a sense of fun and irreverence into the red carpet.
Ruffles and Drama: A Nod to Theatricality
Ruffles were another dominant theme on the Emmys red carpet, signalling a shift towards more dramatic, theatrical menswear. Chris Perfetti, best known for his role in Abbott Elementary, embodied this trend perfectly. Wearing an extravagant ruffled shirt from Christian Siriano’s Spring 2025 collection, Perfetti paired the flamboyant top with wide-leg, floor-length trousers, making a strong case for menswear that is both statement-making and boundary-pushing.
Dan Levy, one of the night’s co-hosts, also embraced the ruffle trend with a shirt from Loewe. Known for his impeccable sense of style, Levy opted for a design with a structured, sculptural collar that elevated his look from traditional black-tie to avant-garde fashion. By blending historical fashion elements with a modern twist, these men brought a sense of drama to the red carpet that was impossible to ignore.
The Cummerbund Reimagined
Once considered a hallmark of formality, the cummerbund saw a creative revival at this year’s Emmys, with several attendees reinterpreting the waist sash in innovative ways. Actor Alan Cumming, always one to push fashion boundaries, wore a cream Teddy Vonranson jacket paired with a cummerbund that doubled as a scarf, trailing behind him like a train. This unexpected use of a traditional accessory added a sense of grandeur and whimsy to Cumming’s ensemble, turning a classic red carpet staple into a show-stopping feature.
Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey, co-stars of Fellow Travelers, also used cummerbunds to enhance their outfits. Bailey, in particular, turned heads in a silky Giorgio Armani look that featured a chest-baring shirt, complemented by a sleek cummerbund. This approach highlighted how accessories like the cummerbund can be more than just a formal necessity – they can be central to the overall aesthetic of a look.
Colour as a Statement
While traditional black-and-white tuxedos were still a go-to for some, many of the men at this year’s Emmys opted for bold colours, proving that menswear doesn’t have to be limited to monochrome palettes. Aaron Moten, star of Fallout, made a statement in a striking all-red Kenzo suit with a Nehru collar. The bold choice of colour and the unconventional silhouette broke away from the usual red carpet fare, offering a vibrant alternative to the typical black tux.
Similarly, Bowen Yang, known for his comedic brilliance on Saturday Night Live, arrived in a cream Bode suit jacket paired with a bright red tasseled top. The playful juxtaposition of colour and texture created an outfit that was as fun as it was fashion-forward, demonstrating how red carpet menswear can successfully incorporate high fashion trends without losing its sense of identity.
Even Finn Bennett, from True Detective, opted to forego a traditional jacket altogether, instead choosing a maroon silk mock neck by Saint Laurent. The sleek, minimalist look stood out precisely because of its simplicity, offering an understated contrast to the bolder choices around him. This minimalist take highlighted the power of subtlety in menswear, proving that sometimes less is indeed more.
Accessories That Steal the Show
It wasn’t just the outfits themselves that caught the eye at the Emmys; accessories played a pivotal role in completing the looks. Lapel pins and brooches were popular choices among male attendees, adding a touch of personalisation to their ensembles. Alan Cumming, for example, wore a medal with a trans pride flag ribbon on his lapel, merging fashion with a powerful political statement. His outfit was not only about style but also about championing visibility and inclusivity – a poignant reminder of fashion’s role in self-expression.
Jonathan Bailey also elevated his outfit with accessories, using a silk cummerbund to complement his daring chest-baring Giorgio Armani shirt. By layering subtle details like this, Bailey showcased the potential of accessories to transform an outfit from ordinary to extraordinary.
The Rise of Gender Fluidity in Menswear
Perhaps the most significant takeaway from this year’s Emmys red carpet was the increasing embrace of gender fluidity in menswear. For too long, red carpet fashion for men has been constrained by rigid notions of masculinity and formality. However, the male attendees at this year’s event embraced fashion as a means of self-expression, challenging traditional gender norms with their playful and experimental looks.
From the ruffled shirts and flamboyant silhouettes to the bold use of colour and accessories, the men of the Emmys demonstrated that menswear can be just as dynamic, creative, and expressive as womenswear. This shift towards gender fluidity in fashion signals a broader cultural movement – one that embraces individuality and the breaking down of outdated binaries.
Redefining Red Carpet Menswear
The 2024 Emmys marked a watershed moment in red carpet fashion, particularly for men’s style. As the boundaries of menswear continue to expand, we are witnessing a new era of male fashion – one that is bold, expressive, and unafraid to challenge convention. The male attendees of the Emmys not only brought their A-game in terms of fashion but also redefined what it means to be well-dressed on the red carpet.
With their daring ensembles, they have set a new standard for menswear at high-profile events. Gone are the days of predictable tuxedos and minimal accessorising. The future of red carpet fashion is bright, diverse, and inclusive – paving the way for a more exciting and boundary-pushing approach to menswear that embraces creativity, individuality, and the sheer joy of dressing up.
This year’s Emmys proved that when it comes to fashion, men can steal the show just as much as their female counterparts. And in doing so, they’ve opened the door to a more inclusive and expressive future for red carpet style.
