The 2026 Emmys red carpet brooches trend was hard to miss. At the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 14, several stars used jeweled brooches to bring extra character to tailored looks and eveningwear.
The Emmy ceremony took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and was hosted by Mariska Hargitay. Beyond the awards themselves, the red carpet once again offered a snapshot of emerging celebrity fashion trends.
Among the notable brooch moments were looks worn by Colman Domingo, Noah Kahan and Louisa Jacobson. Their styling showed how one small piece of jewelry can change the feel of an otherwise structured outfit.
Why Brooches Are Trending on the Red Carpet
Brooches have moved well beyond their traditional role as decorative fasteners.
Today, they can work as statement jewelry, subtle accents or even unexpected focal points. On a sharply tailored jacket, a brooch can introduce sparkle without requiring an entirely embellished outfit.
That makes the accessory particularly useful with suits and tuxedos. A small metallic or jeweled detail can break up a simple silhouette while keeping the overall look polished.
The 2026 Emmys offered several examples of this approach.
Colman Domingo Brings a Brooch to His Valentino Look
Colman Domingo was one of the evening’s most distinctive examples of the trend.
He wore a custom Valentino ensemble with a colorful tailored silhouette and a sash. The look was finished with a Boucheron Green Garden brooch featuring green tourmalines and diamonds. Jewelry coverage from Modern Luxury identified the brooch as part of Boucheron’s Histoire de Style, Like A Queen High Jewelry collection.
Rather than placing the brooch in the most traditional position on a lapel, Domingo incorporated it into the sash. That placement made the jewelry feel like part of the outfit’s overall design rather than simply an accessory added at the end.
The result also reflected a broader shift in formal menswear. Tailoring does not have to rely only on the cut or color of a suit. Jewelry can play an equally important role.
Noah Kahan Adds a Vintage Detail to His Tuxedo
Noah Kahan offered another example of how a brooch can personalize classic formalwear.
The singer appeared at the Emmys in a black tuxedo with a brooch. E! News also reported that Kahan discussed an upcoming musical opportunity during the red-carpet coverage.
Jewelry publication Who Wore What Jewels described his brooch as a vintage design resembling an eye with multiple tear-like details. Kahan later performed “Bridge Over Troubled Water” during the ceremony’s In Memoriam segment.
His styling demonstrated the simplest version of the trend: keep the suit classic and let one distinctive piece of jewelry provide the visual interest.
Louisa Jacobson Gives Tailoring a Jewelry Twist
Louisa Jacobson approached the trend from a different direction.
Instead of choosing a traditional red-carpet gown, the The Gilded Age star wore a sharply tailored black Tom Ford tuxedo. Her look included a cropped jacket, wide-leg trousers and Tiffany & Co. jewelry, including a brooch.
Fashion coverage of the Emmys highlighted the brooch as a subtle part of the tailored ensemble.
The look also illustrates why brooches work across different approaches to formal dressing. They do not have to make an outfit look traditionally feminine or masculine. Instead, the accessory can simply add another layer of texture and shine.
What Makes a Brooch So Versatile?
A brooch is traditionally a decorative piece that can be attached to clothing. Historically, brooches also served practical purposes, including securing fabric.
Modern styling has expanded those possibilities.
A brooch can be placed on:
- Suit jackets
- Tuxedo lapels
- Blazers
- Dresses
- Scarves
- Sashes
- Coats
- Sweaters
- Structured tops
The placement can also change the effect. A brooch near the chest creates a classic jewelry moment. Placing one on a sash, scarf or unusual section of a garment can make the styling feel more contemporary.
How to Style the Brooch Trend
You do not need a red-carpet wardrobe to experiment with the trend.
Keep the Outfit Simple
A brooch stands out most clearly when the rest of the outfit is relatively clean. Try adding a jeweled piece to a black blazer, white shirt or simple dress.
Use One Statement Piece
If the brooch is large or heavily embellished, let it become the main jewelry detail. This prevents the look from becoming visually crowded.
Experiment With Placement
The traditional lapel is only one option. Try a brooch on a scarf, sash or jacket pocket area.
Mix It With Tailoring
One of the clearest lessons from the 2026 Emmys is how naturally brooches work with structured clothing. A tailored jacket provides a clean base for decorative jewelry.
Match the Mood, Not Everything
A brooch does not have to perfectly match every accessory. Instead, look for a connection through metal, color, texture or overall style.
Are Brooches Becoming a Major Celebrity Jewelry Trend?
The 2026 Emmys were not the first major red-carpet event to feature brooches this year. Celebrity jewelry coverage has documented the accessory appearing across other high-profile fashion events as well.
The Emmys added another wave of examples, particularly through tailored looks. Colman Domingo’s Boucheron piece, Noah Kahan’s brooch and Louisa Jacobson’s Tiffany & Co. styling each showed a different way to approach the accessory.
Rather than replacing other jewelry trends, the brooch is proving to be another flexible option for adding personality to formal dressing.
The Brooch Is Having a Modern Red-Carpet Moment
The biggest takeaway from the 2026 Emmys red carpet brooches trend is versatility.
A brooch can be traditional, dramatic, playful or understated. It can complement a gown, transform a blazer or give a tuxedo a more individual finish.
The 78th Emmys demonstrated that the accessory still has plenty of room for experimentation. And with celebrities finding new places to wear it, the humble brooch has become much more than a classic jewelry-box staple.