These Knockout Emmy Looks Prove Purple Is The Hottest Color Going Into Fall 2026

Bold color is making a comeback. Powder blue and hot pink are among the colors you'll be seeing in everyone's wardrobes for fall 2026.  But while the whole color wheel might be up for grabs this fall, rich purples are emerging as the season's standout color. And purple's dominance was particularly evident at the 2026 Emmy Awards.

Purple is a luxe shade, one traditionally associated with royalty since purple dyes were once staggeringly expensive to manufacture. "Purple speaks for itself when it's introduced to an outfit," personal stylist Brielle Bellew told InStyle. No matter how you wear it, it's a statement.

At the 2026 Emmys, multiple celebs stepped out in head-turning purple looks in a range of shades. From delicate lavender to deep eggplant, these stars demonstrated just how glamorous this hue can be. "I'm glad to see it wasn't just a dull night with a lot of sad beige!" wrote one Reddit user. In fact, these red carpet looks offer great insights on how to style this gorgeous shade for a fashion-forward look.

Actor Sarah Pidgeon stepped out at the 2026 Emmys in a slinky orchid gown created for her by Chanel. The dress was a riff on a slip dress, featuring a draped cowl neckline embellished with glittering chains and charms, a drop waist and an elegant train. Considering that the "Love Story" star became a household name for portraying Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, the sleek slip dress felt like the perfect nod to her character's decade-defining style. Even the soft purple shade had a throwback feel. "This pale purple is so 90s," wrote one Reddit user.

As Pidgeon demonstrates, one of the perks of purple is that, as a blend of red and blue, it comes in both cool and warm variations. That means, depending on your undertones, you can find a shade that suits your natural coloring. Pidgeon has a Cool Summer color palette, and the cool dusty purple shade perfectly complemented her naturally cool skin tones. "The color on her is beautiful!!" wrote one Reddit user. "She's glowing."

Louisa Jacobson, one of the stars of HBO's "Gilded Age," wore a stunning black-and-white tuxedo look for the 2026 Emmy Awards. After the ceremony, she changed into an outfit that kept the menswear theme intact, but switched up the color. For the HBO Max afterparty, Jacobson wore a luxurious royal purple suit, which was as a trendier riff on her earlier look that leaned into a purple shade that's been appearing on designer runways. The look featured softly flared trousers and sharply pointed lapels. Jacobson wore the jacket just slightly open with no shirt underneath, revealing a club-worthy deep sliver of décolletage.

Jacobson kept the look extra fashion-forward by accenting the saturated purple with a red shoe and belt, leaning into one of the season's hottest color combinations. Red and purple are among the colors that look great together for fall 2026 because they are both fashionable, high-impact shades that sit beside one another on the color wheel. If you're looking to experiment with purple, pairing it with a complementary high-impact shade is a great way to do it.

Florence Pugh looked like a fairytale character in her custom Vivienne Westwood gown. The star of Netflix's upcoming "East of Eden" series was positively glowing in the tonal look, which featured both a soft lilac shade and a dusty purple overlay. The soft color was delicate and feminine. "I love this," wrote another Reddit user. "The pastels have been so refreshing to see tonight."

It was the ideal hue for the gown's shape, which had an ethereal, princess quality thanks to its softly draped sleeves and sculptural corset bodice. "It's giving Barbie Rapunzel (complimentary)," wrote one Reddit user, since the gown seemed to evoke the aesthetic of the 2002 children's movie.

As Pugh demonstrates, tonal dressing can be a great way to dip your toe into the season's color trends. Rather than stressing over complementary color combinations, pairing multiple shades of the same color immediately adds depth. In fact, monochromatic looks can make for a winning outfit on even your laziest days; that's because the coherent color scheme looks polished and intentional. It works best if you mix textures — as Pugh does here — and incorporate both lighter and darker variations of the same color.

Emilia Clarke did a subtle spin on the purple trend with this strapless gown by Prada. It featured an elegant column skirt and a trailing gathered cape. The look walked a fine line, somehow seeming both modern and vintage at once. "The color, the ribbons, the shape, the back. I like everything about it," wrote one Reddit user. "It makes me think of 60s evening dresses." Clarke opted for sleek, minimalistic styling — a simple updo and little jewelry — which allowed the gown's color to be the main statement.

Though bold colors have been making headlines, pastels have been making a comeback, too. Clarke's gown is a perfect example of how you can participate in the purple trend without committing to dramatically saturated colors. Even a softer shade can be a fun statement, especially when worn head to toe.