The 12 Most Memorable Naked Dresses to Grace the Emmys Red Carpet From 1996 to Now
The 12 Most Memorable Naked Dresses to Grace the Emmys Red Carpet From 1996 to Now
Ariel WodarcykMon, September 14, 2026 at 12:40 PM UTC
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The biggest night in TV has brought us quite a few risqué red carpet moments, from Halle Berry’s sheer, plunging dress in 2000 to Sharon Stone’s midriff-baring gown.
InStyle gathered all of the sexiest looks the Emmys have had to offer, ahead.
Plunging necklines. Thigh-high slits. Naked dresses. These are not rare sights on most red carpets, but at the Emmy Awards, most stars tend to err on the side of conservatism. Think: full suits, demure dresses, or, if you’re Cher, maybe the occasional bedazzled jean thrown in (the singer can do no wrong). But, over the award show’s 75-plus-year tenure, there have been a handful of celebs who bravely bared all—and delivered unforgettable looks in the process.
Who can forget Halle Berry’s sheer, plunging lavender wrap dress at the 2000 ceremony, or Jenna Ortega’s “top,” which was essentially an assortment of gemstones draped across her torso in 2025? As they (probably) say in Hollywood, a shortage of fabric doesn’t have to mean a shortage of sparkle.
In honor of the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, airing on September 14, 2026, we’re time traveling to see who made the cut for the sexiest Emmys looks of all time. Keep scrolling for all of the most showstopping ensembles.
01 of 12
Jenna Ortega, 2025
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Wednesday star Jenna Ortega graced the 77th Emmys red carpet in jewels and little else. Designed by Sarah Burton for Givenchy, the naked look featured oversize baubles looped around the actress’s torso, as well as a floor-skimming black skirt with a thigh-high slit.
02 of 12
Justine Lupe, 2025
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Sometimes less truly is more, as evidenced by Justine Lupe’s naked dress in 2025. The Nobody Wants This star shone bright in a silver chainmail gown covered in mirrored paillettes. She left all eyes on the nipple-baring design from Carolina Herrera’s fall 2025 collection, accessorizing with just a few rings and subtle drop earrings.
03 of 12
Skye P. Marshall, 2025
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The Matlock star left little to the imagination with her netted skirt, platform Louboutins, and peplum-waist blazer with a daringly low neckline. Designed by Tony Ward Couture, the blazer was covered in hundreds of red and black sequins in an abstract floral pattern.
04 of 12
Kristen Bell, 2025
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Kristen Bell marked her first Emmys appearance in six years with a glistening naked dress—half-naked, that is. The Nobody Wants This star gathered her hair in a half up half down style to show off the plunging neckline and sequin-studded skirt on her Giorgio Armani Privé gown.
05 of 12
Zendaya, 2019
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In 2019, Euphoriahad just premiered, and Zendaya made her presence known on the red carpet in a custom Vera Wang gown with a sheer corset and a slit inches from her hip. Her role as Rue Bennett later earned her Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series two years in a row, making her the youngest two-time acting winner in Emmys history.
06 of 12
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Laverne Cox, 2016
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All hail the golden goddess that is Laverne Cox. In 2016, the Orange Is the New Black actress shone from her halo of golden blonde barrel curls to her beaded Naeem Khan gown and metallic clutch. That night, she also presented the award for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special.
07 of 12
Sharon Stone, 2004
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You can’t get much more Y2K than this. Sharon Stone bared her midriff in a pink satin cutout gown with the skinniest bedazzled spaghetti straps. All she’s missing is a dangly belly ring!
08 of 12
Kim Cattrall, 2003
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Samantha Jones calling—she wants her naked dress back! In 2003, Kim Cattrall bared her abs and muscled lower back in a glittering naked dress. That night, she was nominated for the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series award. While she didn’t take home the Emmy, she did leave the 2003 Golden Globes as the Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or Motion Picture Made for Television.
09 of 12
Lisa Rinna, 2002
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Talk about va-va-voom! Lisa Rinna and her signature pout channeled pure Jessica Rabbit sex appeal in a flaming red, backless, side boob-baring halter gown on the 2002 Daytime Emmy Awards red carpet.
10 of 12
Keri Russell, 2000
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Keri Russell was a vision in silver in this 1920s-inspired beaded gown. Between the sheer fabric that drifted over her curves to the neckline that plunged down to her sternum, she smartly chose to keep her accessories minimal. A sparkling tennis bracelet and silver fringed purse were the only extras the Armani gown called for.
11 of 12
Halle Berry, 2000
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Halle, Halle, Halle. Her role as Dorthy Dandridge in Introducing Dorothy Dandridge earned the actress her first ever Emmy, which she accepted in an iconic black, strapless ball gown. Days before taking the stage as Outstanding Lead Actress, she stunned on the Emmys Creative Arts Awards carpet in a see-through lavender wrap dress that shimmered with mermaid-like sequins.
12 of 12
Fran Drescher, 1996
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If you want to look drop-dead sexy, just call Hervé Léger. Fran Drescher posed in the designer’s floor-length black bandage gown with cutouts at the waist and a daringly low back at the 1996 Emmys, where she was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her iconic role as Fran Fine in The Nanny.
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