Eva Longoria's Inappropriate Outfit At 2008 Emmys Took Desperate Housewives To The Extreme

The year is 2008, ABC's "Desperate Housewives" is one of the hottest shows on TV, and its stars have the world eating out of the palms of their hands. Eva Longoria was one of the show's breakout stars — while the dramedy revived some of the cast members' careers, playing housewife Gabrielle Solis served as the Texas-born actor's introduction to the A-list. There was little Longoria could do wrong in this era, but as we all know, nobody's perfect — and she did manage to drop the ball with one of the most inappropriate outfits in Emmys history. 

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Her all-silver Marchesa 'fit summed up Longoria's sense of fun, but several features made it feel out of place at one of television's biggest nights. The official Emmys dress code, as detailed by the Television Academy, calls for formal wear, and while minidresses are allowed, this frock pushed one too many boundaries. The unofficial rules of dressing for the Emmys have long included not looking too much like an on-stage costume, using too much glitter and bling, or trying to do too much at once. Here, Longoria has a sizable statement bow, so much glitter that it looks like she left a trail of the stuff on the red carpet, and almost the entire bodice in fringe. 

All of this led to the dress looking more like a spontaneous cocktail dress — one that's not dissimilar to the array of minis Gabrielle used to parade down Wisteria Lane — rather than a well-planned red-carpet number for a prestigious event. Being a style queen, the "Telenovela" alum does win points here for a sleek hairdo that balances the maximalism of the dress, but the overall look still had us wondering whether she thought she was playing Gabby at the Emmys.

Every star is entitled to a bad red carpet or two, and Eva Longoria has more than made up for her 2008 Emmys blip since. She's particularly redeemed herself at subsequent Emmys, hitting the nail on the head in 2010. The antithesis to her playful silver party dress from two years earlier, this Robert Rodriguez number has all the makings of an Emmys winner. The corset creates a snatched silhouette balanced by the statement rosettes on the skirt, while the monochrome black element and train give this look the sophistication that the awards show deserves. 

Don't get us wrong: Longoria has proven that the mini is in her comfort zone, and when event-appropriate, she shines in shorter pieces. Petite clothing is, after all, defined by height, and Longoria's 5'2" frame absolutely suits shorter hemlines. Just look at the fun black Alberta Ferretti dress she wore to the Billboard Music Awards in 2019. "This dress is just amazing on you!" one fan noted on the designer's Instagram. But still, the most standout looks in her fashion portfolio have been ultra-glam red-carpet gowns. From the slinky red maxi she wore to the Golden Globes in 2006 to the dramatic and whimsical Marchesa she wore to the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival in 2012, we have no doubt that she can rise to the occasion. 

For more insights into the "Desperate Housewives" star's fashion journey, check out our exclusive interview where Eva Longoria admits she's a "skinny jeans girl" who still has time for oversized men's pants.