Mariska Hargitay Proves Old Hollywood Glam Is In Her DNA With 2026 Emmys Looks

As the host of the 2026 Emmy Awards on Monday, September 14, Mariska Hargitay was expected to wear something stunning — and she absolutely delivered. Throughout the evening, Hargitay wore more than 10 outfits, ranging from glittering gowns to chic pantsuits. Unlike the worst-dressed celebs at the 2026 Emmys, Hargitay looked flawless in her many fabulous ensembles, but we think her red carpet outfit was one of her best looks of the night. The look took our breath away when we saw her, and then we realized why: It was reminiscent of the vintage glamour of her famous mother, Jayne Mansfield. Hargitay and her daughter Amaya took to the carpet in matching red sequin dresses from Monse, with the duo channeling old Hollywood vibes for the star-studded evening.

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As a sex symbol of the 1950s and '60s, Mansfield was known for her love of flashy, risqué fashion. Hargitay's sparkly ensemble, complete with a dramatic feathered train, served as a sweet homage to her mother. With an eye for sartorial detail as strong as she showed us at the Emmys this year, Hargitay clearly has a lot to teach us about fashion.

Mariska Hargitay's 2026 Emmys red carpet gown turned heads as a subtle homage to Jayne Mansfield, and several of her looks while hosting the show channeled old Hollywood vibes, too. One of Hargitay's mid-show outfit changes saw the "Law and Order: SVU" mainstay don a black sequin gown with a long silver stripe down the middle. Her hair, unlike the loose waves she rocked earlier in the evening, was blown out impeccably. 

Mariska Hargitay's stunning hair transformation has seen the actor embrace many different looks, from pixie cuts to long layers, but her Emmys look stands out from the rest (for good reason). For one, her sleek side part and thick, bouncy curls mixed the best of classic Hollywood glam and today's more relaxed aesthetic. As history has shown us, Hargitay can rock any hairstyle with ease, but a perfect blowout suits her incredibly well. Now, while her hair may have been flawless, you should check out our ranking of all of Mariska Hargitay's 2026 Emmys looks to see which one came in at first place.