Emmy Awards 2020: What will the dress code be for the virtual ceremony?

This year’s award ceremony, which will be virtual, is due to take place on 20 September

Zendaya attends the 71st Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

At this year’s Emmys, the glamorous red carpet will be exchanged for a cosy night in as the annual awards ceremony goes virtual.

Due to take place on 20 September, the event will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and will see stars including Zendaya, Jennifer Aniston and Paul Mescal go up against their peers for one of the most coveted accolades in television.

Awards ceremonies are typically rife with elegance and affluence as A-list celebrities walk the red carpet dressed to the nines in designer garb, not a single hair out of place as they pose expertly for the cameras.

However, this year the producers of the Emmy Awards are encouraging nominees to dress down as they tune in from the comfort of their homes.

Shortly after the nominations for the Emmys were announced, a letter signed by host Jimmy Kimmel and the awards ceremony’s executive producers were sent to nominees.

In the letter, which was published by Variety, the producers explained that while nominees can dress formally if they wish, they are also welcome to take a more casual approach to the dress code.

“Our informal theme for the night is ‘come as you are, but make an effort’” the letter read.

“If you want to be in formal wear, we’d love that, but equally if you’re in the UK and it’s 3am, perhaps you want to be in designer pyjamas and record from your bed!”

The letter continued, stating that it is up to the nominees to “guide” the producers on their “level of comfort”.

“We want to work with you to style your moments, but want you to guide us on your levels of comfort – where you want to be, who you want to be with, what you want to wear etc,” they said.

At last year’s Emmy Awards, stars including Emilia Clarke, Sandra Oh and Billy Porter ruled the red carpet in striking ensembles.

Clarke showcased a dark blue Maison Valentino gown, with Oh opting for an old-school Hollywood-esque pink floor-length gown by Zac Posen.

Porter stood out in an eye-catching pinstriped Michael Kors suit and ornate headpiece by milliner Stephen Jones, while Zendaya made an unforgettable appearance in a custom emerald green Vera Wang design.

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