Though Monday night’s festivities celebrated success on the big screen, the real triumphs—or catastrophes—debuted on the red carpet. The Emmys are one of the most prestigious events for recognizing outstanding work in television. And winning just one is an even higher honor. But for those who didn’t win an Emmy, I can award them the more prestigious honor of being named (what I like to call) the Best Dressed by a High School Junior. And even though they don’t bring in the most daring looks of the year, there’s no doubt that elegance is king at the Emmys, and Primetime’s 74th was no exception. 

Elle Fanning, wearing Sharon Long:

Marilyn Monroe cosplaying as Ursula? Nope, that’s Elle Fanning in custom Sharon Long. From the contrasting color scheme to the Marilyn-esque silhouette, it certainly seems like Fanning was channeling beloved Disney Villain Ursula and Old Hollywood glamour on Monday Night. The actress perfectly embodied the 50s aesthetic that is so sought after at the Emmys. And who better to turn to than Sharon Long, the costume designer on The Great, to create this vision. The two drew inspiration from 50’s icons like Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, and—of course—Marilyn Monroe to create a strapless silk gown with a bustier top covered in light pink petals and the perfect bustle of fabric that trailed behind her as she walked the red carpet.

Sarah Niles, wearing Gaurav Gupta:

The most mesmerizing look of the night was by far Sarah Niles’s golden gown. The Ted Lasso actress sparkled—quite literally—on the carpet in a custom Gaurav Gupta dress. This look featured an angular, flattering structure and tons of cascading glitter that truly embodies glamour.

Toheeb Jimoh, wearing Dior: 

The bar for men’s red carpet looks is so low that it’s on the floor, especially at the Emmys where “classic” is in. But in a sea of plain black suits, Toheeb Jimoh’s Dior clean white look stands out—in an avant-garde way. A suit, which is typically perfectly tailored to the wearer, doesn’t leave much room for unconventional silhouettes. But not in Jimoh’s case. He dons a perfectly tailored suit but with a draped side tie. The contrast between the crispness of the suit and the relaxed detail of the tie creates a robe-like look that certainly distinguishes him from the rest.

Nicholas Hoult, wearing Dior: 

Yes, it’s a black suit. But the cropped double breasted blazer and flared pants set Nicholas Hoult’s 70’s-inspired Dior look apart from the rest. It’s simple, but it works. Classy.

Lily James, wearing Versace: 

Whoever came up with the phrase, “fits like a glove” was clearly referencing Lily James in her chainmail Versace dress. The dress flows so naturally on her, which makes sense considering she was sewn-in. Everything about this dress is absolutely gorgeous. The draping. The neckline. The straps. The understated jewelry perfectly complements the silvery drape of the dress, allowing the actress to glisten even more.

Zendaya, wearing Valentino:

Law Roach and Zendaya have done it again! They’ve landed themselves on yet another best dressed list. To absolutely no one’s surprise, Zendaya’s strapless black satin ball gown was my favorite look of the night. I fell in love with every aspect of her dress. Taking inspiration from the fall 1987 Valentino collection and Old Hollywood styles, Law Roach and his team created this elegant masterpiece. From the fitted bodice, to the dainty bow, to the luxurious train, every element of this Valentino dress was pure perfection. The gown was paired perfectly with a simple matching headband and sparkling Bvlgari jewels. Zendaya showed us the real meaning of sophistication with this truly captivating look.