Fashion flashback to the 2010 Emmy Awards

By Jessica Wedemeyer 4:20am PDT, Sep 17, 2020

Gear up for the 2020 Emmy Awards on Sept. 20 by joining Wonderwall.com as we take a look back at the best and worst fashion moments from the 2010 event's red carpet, starting with this showstopper… A decade ago, January Jones donned one of our all-time favorite red carpet looks — a bold blue strapless Versace gown with a train — during the 2010 Emmys in Los Angeles on Aug. 29. Too bad the erstwhile Betty Draper — who was up for best lead actress in a drama series for her work on "Mad Men" that year — completed her look with black pumps, one of 2010's most popular footwear trends. Now keep reading for more of the evening's most memorable looks…

Claire Danes dazzled in a strapless Armani Privé column gown during the 2010 Emmys. Later that night, she picked up her first Emmy Award: best lead actress in a miniseries or movie for her performance as the title character in "Temple Grandin."

Rita Wilson topped many worst dressed lists with the knee-length white Prada gown she wore during the 2010 Emmys. The sleeveless sheath featured a crystal chain-link overlay that swallowed her fit figure. To make matters worse, she completed her look with matching shoes that you have to see to believe…

Yikes! Rita Wilson sported these silly crystal-adorned heeled sandals with clear straps during the 2010 Emmys.

During the 2010 Emmys, Emily Blunt looked absolutely lovely in an asymmetrical lilac Christian Dior confection featuring floral appliqués. She completed her look with silver jewelry and a matching clutch. Now let's take a closer look at her best accessory of the evening…

Emily Blunt's best accessory of the evening? That would be her arm candy, husband John Krasinski, whom she'd married just a few months earlier. The actor, who served as a presenter during the 2010 Emmys, made sure his bow tie perfectly coordinated with his wife's lavender-and-silver color scheme.

Christina Hendricks also looked lovely in lavender during the 2010 Emmys! The first-time nominee — who was up for best supporting actress in a drama series for her work on "Mad Men" that year — donned a Zac Posen creation featuring feathered fringe on the sleeves and along the skirt. The silhouette perfectly accentuated her enviable curves, and the muted hue really made her copper locks pop!

It's one of the most memorable Emmy fashion moments ever: Anna Paquin donned a stunning Alexander McQueen confection with a high-low hemline during the 2010 Emmys. The iconic gown, which she unfortunately paired with black pumps, featured an embellished neckline that definitely deserves a closer look…

Anna Paquin's Alexander McQueen gown was truly a work of art. Just check out the sequin work on those shoulders!

Lily Tomlin wore this befuddling ensemble to the 2010 Emmys when she was nominated for best guest actress in a drama series for her performance on "Damages." Her eyesore of a look included an animal-print top, which she wore with a matching cardigan, a chunky leather belt and a full satiny skirt. She topped things off with a gold multi-strand chain necklace and cuff bracelets.

Heidi Klum certainly stood out during the 2010 Emmys thanks to her strapless Marchesa mini, which featured structured floral designs. The supermodel — who was up for best reality TV host for her work on "Project Runway" that year — completed her look with spiked Christian Louboutin pumps and a massive Lorraine Schwartz bib necklace. Let's take a closer look…

The ruby-and-diamond-encrusted Lorraine Schwartz bib necklace that Heidi Klum donned during the 2010 Emmys is widely considered one of the most iconic bling moments in the award show's history.

Another star who rocked a strapless black number with structured floral details during the 2010 Emmys? Eva Longoria, who stunned in a curve-hugging Robert Rodriguez gown. She completed her look with jeweled chandelier earrings by Loren Jewels.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus donned one of the best black gowns of the 2010 Emmys, showing some skin in a Narciso Rodriguez column dress with a sheer panel across the midriff. The funnywoman — who was up for best lead actress in a comedy series for her work on "The New Adventures of Old Christine" that year — added pops of color with her Irene Neuwirth earrings and a matching cuff bracelet.

This look is so Sofia Vergara. The first-time nominee — who was up for best supporting actress in a comedy series for her work on "Modern Family" that year — donned a canary yellow strapless Carolina Herrera confection adorned with metallic sequins. She completed her 2010 Emmys look with matching yellow and metallic bling.

We love Mindy Kaling, but we hated the black one-sleeved midi-length Aguri Sagimori dress she donned during the 2010 Emmys. With the fan of asymmetrical tulle fabric across the neckline and the high-low hemline of the skirt, the proportions were just all off. Her extra-high topknot hairstyle and oversized jewelry only made things worse. The multi-hyphenate was up for two Emmys for her work on "The Office" that year.

Keri Russell looked pretty in pink in a vintage Jean Louis Scherrer Haute Couture halter dress with a pleated skirt during the 2010 Emmys. If we were going to nitpick (we are!), we'd say that the summery frock, which she bought herself from a high-end consignment shop, could've used some tailoring on the bodice. Otherwise, she looked fabulous, completing her look with gold Jimmy Choo sandals and a silk organza Jennifer Behr flower design clipped in her hair.

Fashion "it" girl Dianna Agron topped many best dressed lists with the Carolina Herrera confection that she donned during the 2010 Emmys. The strapless gown featured a fan of floral lace across the bodice and full skirt of tiered lace tied at the waist with a sheer black bow.

Aww! Ariel Winter was just 12 when she attended the 2010 Emmys in this strapless navy ballgown with black floral embroidery and beadwork across the bodice.

But the best dressed kiddo of the 2010 Emmys? That would be Kiernan Shipka, who was just 10 at the time. The pint-sized "Mad Men" actress looked adorable in a sleeveless knee-length dress featuring embroidered flowers and a big bow in the back. She accessorized with silver kitten-heel sandals and a three-strand jeweled headband. Is it any wonder she went on to become one of Young Hollywood's biggest fashion "it" girls?

On the other end of the age spectrum, Betty White played with color (and definitely won!) during the 2010 Emmys where she sported a long-sleeved blouse and matching skirt from her own closet. She won her fifth Emmy that year: best guest actress in a comedy series for her performance on "Saturday Night Live."

Another star who played with color to tremendous results during the 2010 Emmys? Carrie Preston, who matched her blue-and-red printed Makoto Takada dress to her fiery mane. The custom gown featured side cut-outs and draping down the back. We also loved her jeweled Erica Courtney drop earrings.

Ty Burell and his wife, Holly, were the worst dressed couple of the 2010 Emmys thanks to their accessories — specifically the brown loafers he wore with his gray suit and the stole featuring clumps of pink and black fabric that she paired with her matching dress. He was up for best supporting actor in a comedy series for his work on "Modern Family" that year.

Kyra Sedgwick proved during the 2010 Emmys that simplicity is key, stunning in a strapless burgundy Monique Lhuillier gown with a thin belt. Later that night — following four previous nominations in the same category — she finally won her first Emmy: best lead actress in a drama series for her work on "The Closer."

Back in 2010, there was only one rule when it came to statement necklaces: The bigger, the better! Padma Lakshmi was obviously well aware of that fact during the Emmys. She wore a lengthy tribal necklace from her eponymous jewelry line over her strapless navy Carolina Herrera gown.

First-time nominee Lea Michele — who was up for best lead actress in a comedy series for her work on "Glee" that year — donned a dramatic strapless navy Oscar de la Renta gown with a ruffled skirt during the 2010 Emmys. Naturally, she completed her look with a Lorraine Schwartz statement necklace and a matching cuff bracelet.

Lea Michele and "Glee" co-star Jayma Mays ended up dressing quite similarly during the 2010 Emmys. Jayma also donned a strapless navy gown, though her Burberry Prorsum number was the less dramatic of the two.

Look! Another strapless navy mermaid gown at the 2010 Emmys! Julie Bowen's J. Mendel dress landed her squarely in the middle with its asymmetrical ruffled neckline and ruffled peplum waist. What was really impressive is that the blonde beauty — who was up for best supporting actress in a comedy series for her work on "Modern Family" that year — had just welcomed twins less than four months earlier.

Jane Krakowski donned arguably the best navy gown of the 2010 Emmys: a one-shouldered Escada confection with a bustle at one hip. She was up for best supporting actress in a comedy series for her work on "30 Rock" that year.

Kim Kardashian West had a gorgeous goddess moment in a white Marchesa confection with a beaded neckline during the 2010 Emmys. We weren't wild about one detail: an unnecessary cape trailing from the halter, which fortunately, you can't see from this angle.

A Greek goddess-inspired dress with a cape that worked perfectly during the 2010 Emmys? Sarah Hyland's slinky Pamella Roland number, which featured a plunging neckline and twisted bejeweled straps.

Another cape! Mariska Hargitay donned a curve-hugging strapless Vera Wang gown during the 2010 Emmys. She was up for best lead actress in a drama series for her work on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" that year.

Back in 2010, fashion critics loathed the black-and-white polka dot gown that Kristen Wiig donned during the Emmys. The divisive frock featured a plunging neckline and tulle wings on the shoulders. But time is the greatest test of these matters, and we have to say: This look has grown on us over the years! The funnywoman was up for best supporting actress in a comedy series for her work on "Saturday Night Live" that year.

Elisabeth Moss looked beautiful — but surprisingly matronly — in a beige one-shouldered Donna Karan confection with a draped bodice and a train during the 2010 Emmys. She was up for best supporting actress in a drama series for her work on "Mad Men" that year.

During the 2010 Emmys, Tina Fey donned a curve-hugging Oscar de la Renta gown with a sheer overlay featuring beaded swirls. She was up for four Emmys that year for her work on "30 Rock" and "Saturday Night Live."

Jane Lynch looked regal in this deep purple one-shouldered Ali Rahimi gown when she picked up her award for best supporting actress in a comedy series for her work on "Glee" during the 2010 Emmys. We especially love how she accessorized with a Doyle & Doyle brooch on the strap of her dress.

The best mother-daughter fashion moment of the 2010 Emmys? Susan Sarandon and Eva Amurri! The Oscar winner looked fabulous in a black sequined Donna Karan gown while her daughter channeled Marilyn Monroe in a strapless pink Thierry Mugler dress with a sweetheart neckline that looked incredible with her tan. (Eva also gets extra points for those jaw-dropping Cartier jewels!) Susan was up for best supporting actress in a miniseries or movie for her work in "You Don't Know Jack" that year.

We had a lot of questions for Stephanie Pratt when she showed up to the 2010 Emmys in a long-sleeved Marciano dress with an asymmetrical lace pattern along the neckline. Why did she look like she was going to a nightclub? And why was she there at all? (Her hair and makeup looked great, though!)

There certainly were a ton of minis on the red carpet during the 2010 Emmys. "MADtv" alum Arden Myrin sported the trend in the form of a strapless pink dress with a bubble hem, which she wore with a dainty white belt and beige peep-toe pumps.

From the front, the Ralph & Russo gown that Maria Menounos wore during the 2010 Emmys was dazzling but also a bit busy with its asymmetrical midriff cut-out, lacy bodice, jeweled drop-waist detail and all those sequins. But this is a look you definitely need to see from a different angle…

From the back, Maria Menounos's Ralph & Russo gown was a total knockout!

Eva LaRue also donned a backless gown — a less impressive white Oday Shakar number — during the 2010 Emmys. She did, however, score points for her Chopard drop earrings.

We wanted to love the Rubin Singer gown Glenn Close donned during the 2010 Emmys — we really did! But ultimately, we just weren't fans of the metallic olive hue or the haphazardly bunched skirt, which threw off her proportions. She was up for best lead actress in a drama series for her work on "Damages" that year.

Jewel had a boho-couture moment in a strapless beige Zuhair Murad creation with a satin bow at the waist during the 2010 Emmys. Her gorgeous gown featured tiered layers of sequined lace and floral appliqués.

Nina Dobrev also rocked a beige Zuhair Murad creation during the 2010 Emmys. The former star of "The Vampire Diaries" looked elegant in a one-shouldered number with a thigh-high slit, which she wore with gold Brian Atwood peep-toe pumps and Chopard chandelier earrings.

Rounding out the trifecta of gorgeous women in beige Zuhair Murad numbers during the 2010 Emmys? Wanda Sykes! The comedian sparkled in a one-shouldered sequined gown with mesh panels that perfectly accentuated her curves.

The late Naya Rivera failed to impress fashion critics during the 2010 Emmys with her deep green strapless Simin gown featuring a drop waist, a thigh-high slit and a full bunched skirt. To make matters worse, she sported one of the worst hairstyles of the night: an oddly structured bun with several loose flyaway strands.

While we weren't wild about her 'do, we loved the white Gucci gown featuring a large keyhole cut-out, a gold belt and gold straps that Rose Byrne donned during the 2010 Emmys. She was up for one award that year: best supporting actress in a drama series for her work on "Damages."

Continuing the over-the-top updo trend during the 2010 Emmys was Lo Bosworth, who sported an ill-fitting sleeveless green midi-length sheath with white peep-toe platform heels and a bright pink lip.

During the 2010 Emmys, Christine Baranski managed to fly under the radar while having a menswear moment in trousers and a tuxedo-inspired double-breasted jacket, which she wore sans shirt. The actress — who was up for two Emmys that year for her work on "The Good Wife" and "The Big Bang Theory" — even sported shades! But there was no missing those massive earrings.

The strapless Valentino dress that Toni Collette donned during the 2010 Emmys may have seemed boring at first, but upon closer inspection, it was clear that the gown featured a literal work of art on the skirt: a watercolor-inspired floral design. The Australian actress was up for best lead actress in a comedy series for her work on "United States of Tara" that year.

Among the worst looks of the 2010 Emmys? The silver one-shouldered Zac Posen gown that Cheryl Hines donned. The strips of fabric hanging from her armpit and draped across her torso just looked sloppy.

Amy Poehler went glam in a blue-gray Max Azria Atelier gown during the 2010 Emmys. She was up for best lead actress in a comedy series for her work on "Parks and Recreation" that year.

Whether you loved it or hated it, there was no missing Emily Deschanel's divisive purple one-shouldered Max Azria Atelier gown during the 2010 Emmys. It featured layers of fanned ruffles on the bodice and tiered pleats along the skirt.

Katrina Bowden also donned a purple Max Azria gown featuring a tiered skirt during the 2010 Emmys. The strapless lilac number looked great with her blonde locks in loose waves, but ultimately, it may have been too casual for TV's biggest night.

More purple! Nancy O'Dell looked gorgeous in a slinky one-shouldered number during the 2010 Emmys. We especially loved her matching drop earrings and the way she wore her long blonde locks in loose curls. The only thing we would've done differently? Completed her look with strappy sandals rather than those chunky silver peep-toe heels, which came off looking cheap.

We loved the fuchsia hue of the strapless Escada dress that Julia Ormond donned during the 2010 Emmys, during which she picked up the award for best supporting actress in a miniseries or movie for her work in "Temple Grandin." But the gown's structured, messy-looking neckline ultimately lost us.

Kelly Osbourne channeled Old Hollywood in a black Tony Ward gown with asymmetrical sleeves — one cap sleeve and one draped sleeve — during the 2010 Emmys. It was a major moment for the reality star, who was in the midst of her transformation into the fashionista we all know and love today. In fact, she'd just joined the "Fashion Police" panel earlier that year!

Many actresses played it safe in basic black dresses during the 2010 Emmys. Chief among them was Edie Falco, who picked up the award for best lead actress in a comedy series for her work in "Nurse Jackie" in this boring one-shouldered draped Bottega Veneta number.

The black Oscar de la Renta gown that comedian Kathy Griffin donned during the 2010 Emmys featured one very fun detail: mirrored jewels in the skirt. Her show "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List" was up for best reality program that year.

Even reality TV star and mother-of-eight Kate Gosselin attended the Emmys in 2010 — and she looked surprisingly glamorous in a black Carmen Marc Valvo halter dress with a sequined bodice. We truly loved her Martin Katz/Everlon jewels.

On a night when basic black dresses dominated the red carpet, Lauren Graham stood out in a draped Yigal Azrouël gown with a white bodice and a thigh-high slit. She looked ready for battle with her chunky heels and oversized Ofira bling. (Those rings!)

Heather Morris glittered in a sleeveless gold Ina Soltani gown during the 2010 Emmys. Too bad we absolutely loathed her chunky black belt!

The ruffled cream halter dress that Ellie Kemper wore during the 2010 Emmys was very pretty but unfortunately, her black accessories bogged down the otherwise ethereal look.

And here's another lovely look that was thrown off by a big black belt during the 2010 Emmys. We loved everything about Cheryl Burke's strapless shimmery pastel gown from the sweetheart neckline to the glamorous train, but she lost us with her accessories: the dark bejeweled belt and black clutch just didn't seem to go with the rest of her ensemble.

Of all the red dresses on the red carpet during the 2010 Emmys, our favorite was Shaun Robinson's, which featured a jeweled strap across one shoulder and draping in the back. She completed her Greek goddess-inspired getup by wearing her hair in crown braids. Divine!

Another red dress that stood out on the red carpet during the 2010 Emmys? Jenna Fischer's strapless Versace number with flattering strips of fabric hanging from the waist. She looked so glam, and we loved every second of it!

Snooze alert! Of all the red dresses during the 2010 Emmys, Olivia Munn's strapless Zac Posen number was by far the most boring.

Brooke Burke was a vision in white in a gown with a sheer skirt and a thigh-high slit during the 2010 Emmys. She completed her look with a stunning jeweled statement necklace and strappy heels.

Screen legend Ann-Margret actually wore pants during the 2010 Emmys! She paired an off-the-shoulder long-sleeved blouse with slacks featuring a sheer overlay on TV's biggest night. She won the Emmy for best guest actress in a drama series for her performance on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" that year.

Jennifer Westfeldt attended the 2010 Emmys in support of then-boyfriend Jon Hamm, but her gorgeous Armani gown, which featured a sequin-and-lace overlay, stole the spotlight from the "Mad Men" star.

We loved Nicole Ari Parker's hair and makeup during the 2010 Emmys, but her one-shouldered white dress featuring a black lace overlay left a lot to be desired. On a night when many stars donned looks with black lace, this one made the least sense. Plus, the dangerously high slit made us nervous!

Simple yet stunning! Jennifer Carpenter sparkled in a black-and-silver one-sleeved Oday Shakar gown during the 2010 Emmys.

Terri Seymour sure has come a long way from the 2010 Emmys, where she wore an unfortunate knee-length Alexander McQueen dress with a bubble skirt and a sweetheart neckline.

Mary Hart gave us major beauty pageant vibes — but not necessarily in a good way — with the strapless royal blue Romona Keveza gown that she wore to the 2010 Emmys. The asymmetrical ruffles along the skirt and neckline — coupled with her voluminous 'do — certainly didn't help matters.

The strapless black-and-white gown that Rutina Wesley donned during the 2010 Emmys was nothing to write home about, but she had one of our favorite glam looks of the evening with her hair in loose curls and that bold red lip.

Before she was known for her relationship with Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez worked as a correspondent for "Extra." During the 2010 Emmys, she donned this strapless beige gown with a truly bizarre keyhole cut-out.