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The Sexiest Emmys Looks of All Time

The Sexiest Emmys Looks of All Time

By InStyle Staff

Updated Sep 20, 2020 @ 3:15 pm

Credit: JOHN SHEARER/INVISION FOR ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES/AP IMAGES; KEVORK DJANSEZIAN/GETTY IMAGES; GREGG DEGUIRE/FILMMAGIC

Is it hot in herre or what! Any time a major awards show hits Hollywood, we can always count on A-listers to pull out all the stops. While every star is beautiful in her custom creation or sweeping couture design, there is, without fail, a handful who seriously turn up the heat. We're talking about strategically placed cutouts, thigh-high slits, sheer illusion panels, down-to-there necklines, and second-skin silhouettes that hug every single curve.

VIDEO: The Sexiest Emmys Looks of All Time

We took a look back and plucked all the sexiest looks from Emmys past. See who made the cut.

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Chrissy Teigen

Credit: John Shearer/Getty Images

Chrissy Teigen's sparkling Zuhair Murad featured both a plunging neckline and a thigh-high slit at the 2018 Emmy Awards.

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Taraji P. Henson

Credit: Todd Williamson/NBC/Getty Images

Taraji P. Henson brought the drama to the 2018 Emmys with her multi-tiered Giambattista Valli Haute Couture dress.

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Jessica Biel

Credit: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images

The Sinner actress stunned in a two-tone Ralph and Russo Couture gown at the 2017 Emmys.

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Kerry Washington

Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images

Even while pregnant, Kerry Washington managed to look flawless in a Brandon Maxwell gown with sexy cut-outs and a dramatic train at the 68th Emmy Awards.

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Emily Ratajkowski

Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Emily Ratajkowski wore a strapless navy silk Zac Posen gown in a curve-hugging mermaid silhouette to the 2016 Emmys.

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Lady Gaga, 2015

Credit: Dan MacMedan/WireImage

The musician and actress stunned in a Brandon Maxwell gown (her go-to designer) at the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards.

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Kerry Washington, 2015

Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

The Scandal star shone bright like a diamond in a fresh off the runway Marc Jacobs gown at the 2015 Emmys.

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Kiernan Shipka, 2015

Credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage

Shipka looked gorgeous and totally chic in this dress over pants ensemble at the 2015 Emmys. "When I wore the Dior pants and dress-slash-top to the Emmys last year, it was such a 'We're doing this' kind of moment. I really had fun and I loved the look."

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Gwen Stefani, 2014

Credit: Christopher Polk

Gwen Stefani took the plunge at the 2014 Emmys in a glittery deep-plunge Versace creation with metal ladder bars running down the neckline.

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Camila Alves, 2014

Credit: Christopher Polk/NBC/NBC via Getty Images

Camila Alves scandalously revealed glimpses of skin in her sheer curve-hugging Zuhair Murad number. It didn't hurt, either, that she had Matthew McConaughey (in Dolce & Gabbana) on her arm.

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Heidi Klum, 2013

Credit: John Shearer/Invision for Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/AP Images

In a color her Project Runway co-host Tim Gunn dubbed "pomegranate," Heidi Klum was utterly radiant in a curve-hugging Versace dress that boasted a sexy futuristic high-neck cut-out silhouette.

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Claire Danes, 2013

Credit: John Shearer/Invision for Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/AP Images

Homeland

star Claire Danes took home an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, but it was her illusion-paneled plunging Armani Prive creation that had us all twittering.

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Sofia Vergara, 2013

Credit: Gilbert Flores/Broadimage

There's a reason Sofia Vergara looked amazing-her red-hot Vera Wang gown was custom-made to fit and flatter her every curve. "Vera offered to make a dress for me, and of course I was very flattered,” the stunning actress told InStyle.com. "My hair is blonde this year, and I wanted a contrast. She was willing to do two very beautiful red dresses in different shades for me."

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Kerry Washington, 2012

Credit: AP

Presenter Kerry Washington adored her iridescent blush Vivienne Westwood column, but was especially enamored of her clutch. "I fell in love with this bag by Kotur," she told InStyle.com. "Last night on Twitter, I decided this really cute lizard [on the clutch] needed a name." She added jewelry by Fred Leighton to her playful look.

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Sofía Vergara, 2012

Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category, Sofía Vergara chose a hand-beaded Zuhair Murad mermaid gown. Not one to shy away from flaunting her curves, the look featured a reverse halter neckline and open back. Vergara accessorized with over 175 carats of Neil Lane jewels from the Diamond Hollywood collection.

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Gwyneth Paltrow, 2011

Credit: Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic

"My dress is a little see-through," Emmy winner Gwyneth Paltrow said of her daring two-piece. Understatement of the year! The intricately-beaded Emilio Pucci design revealed the Glee guest star's enviably flat middle.

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Nina Dobrev, 2011

Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Vampire Diaries

lead Nina Dobrev channeled Jessica Rabbit in a custom crimson Donna Karan gown with an origami-pleated trumpet hem.

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Blake Lively, 2009

Credit: Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic

Gossip Girl

bombshell Blake Lively made her Emmys debut in a lipstick-red Versace gown that was both low-dipping and high-cut.

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Olivia Wilde, 2009

Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Olivia Wilde opted for a straight-from-the-runway gown from Marchesa, joking that many onlookers thought her dress was of the stick-on variety. "You gotta have respect for a designer that can create a dress that can stay on despite the lack of material," the House actress told MTV.

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Katherine Heigl, 2006

Credit: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Grey's Anatomy star Katherine Heigl had a very Marilyn moment in a sparkling nude vintage gown from Escada.

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Cheryl Hines, 2006

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Cheryl Hines shed her homebody Curb Your Enthusiasm character in a violet shantung gown with a stunning beaded back from Georges Chakra.

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Halle Berry, 2005

Credit: Jason Merritt/FilmMagic

"I feel cool," double-nominee Halle Berry told reporters of her sapphire Emanuel Ungaro dress. "I wanted to feel like a glass of water because it's so hot." She may have felt cool, but she looked sizzling in the floaty design with a thigh-high slit.

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Sarah Jessica Parker, 2004

Credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage

Is there any wonder why Sarah Jessica Parker's husband chose this dress? Matthew Broderick selected a feathered Chanel haute couture creation with a nearly see-through skirt (that revealed SJP's incredible shape) for his wife.

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Amber Tamblyn, 2004

Credit: Albert L. Ortega/WireImage

The Joan of Arcadia actress ditched her normal laid-back style in favor of a vampy Randolph Duke design. The Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series nominee posed on the red carpet in the berry gown with provocative pink insets.

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Sharon Stone, 2004

Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

No one has ever accused Sharon Stone of being shy! The Emmy winner (for her guest appearance on The Practice selected a lavender satin Elsie Katz Couture gown with a strategically placed diamante clasp.

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Kim Cattrall, 2003

Credit: Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage

Sex and the City

nominee Kim Cattrall embraced her sultry character's style with a cutout Giorgio Armani design. 'People' reported that she tried on 16 dresses before choosing the one she declared to be "sophisticated but sexy."

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Jennifer Garner, 2003

Credit: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Jennifer Garner celebrated her nomination for Alias in a cream satin Narciso Rodriguez gown with peekaboo cutouts.

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Debra Messing, 2002

Credit: Albert L. Ortega/WireImage

Will & Grace

nominee Debra Messing's revealing lace-up jersey gown from Michael Kors was more than just sultry. "It's so comfortable I almost can't believe it," she told People.

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Lucy Liu, 2000

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Ally McBeal

star Lucy Liu showed off her perfect form in a barely-there illusion gown from Versace.

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Jennifer Aniston, 1999

Credit: Wilferd/Hultberg / Liaiason Agency/Getty Images

She may be known for her neutrals, but for this Emmys outing Jennifer Aniston took a walk on the wild side in a dazzling Randolph Duke design with a sheer beaded top.

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Angelina Jolie, 1998

Credit: Tammie Arroyo/IPOL/Globe Photo

Double-nominee (for her roles in Gia and George Wallace) Angelina Jolie made an early red-carpet appearance in a figure-flaunting nude Randolph Duke design with a leg-revealing sheer inset.

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The Sexiest Emmys Looks of All Time

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Chrissy Teigen

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Taraji P. Henson

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Jessica Biel

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Kerry Washington

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Emily Ratajkowski

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Lady Gaga, 2015

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Kerry Washington, 2015

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Kiernan Shipka, 2015

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Gwen Stefani, 2014

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Camila Alves, 2014

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Heidi Klum, 2013

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Claire Danes, 2013

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Sofia Vergara, 2013

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Kerry Washington, 2012

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Sofía Vergara, 2012

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Gwyneth Paltrow, 2011

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Nina Dobrev, 2011

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Blake Lively, 2009

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Olivia Wilde, 2009

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Katherine Heigl, 2006

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Cheryl Hines, 2006

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Halle Berry, 2005

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Sarah Jessica Parker, 2004

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Amber Tamblyn, 2004

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Sharon Stone, 2004

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Kim Cattrall, 2003