Sally Field proves sequins can be understated and elegant with this stunning blue gown
The actress picked up an award for her role in Remarkably Bright Creatures at this year’s Emmys
Sally Field made history at the 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards earlier this week, becoming the oldest actress to win Outstanding Lead Actress for her role in Netflix’s Remarkably Bright Creatures – and she certainly did so in style.
For the ceremony, she stuck to her tried-and-true red carpet style by stepping out in a gown with a simple A-line silhouette. Timeless and endlessly flattering, with its elbow-length sleeves and defined waistline, she zhuzhed things up with plenty of shining blue sequins.
Over the last five decades, she’s often enjoyed playing around with sequins, beading, and shimmery fabrics, but she always manages to make it feel elegant and understated, which are two words we don’t normally think of when we hear ‘sequins.’ So how does she do it? Well, the rich sapphire blue colour, which reads with so much depth it’s almost navy, has a lot to do with it, as well as the minimalist design of the dress.
Shop understated sequins
This midnight navy hue is beautifully sophisticated and can work for any occasion. Like Sally's dress, this dress has a high neckline, short sleeves and a sleek silhouette.
Adrianna Papell is a designer we often see on the red carpet, and this navy sequin number is a great example of why. A softly scooped cut at the back creates a simple but stunning focal point.
You don't have to go for a maxi dress - this Hobbs dress is perfect. It also has a boat neckline, which is endlessly flattering.
Available in regular and petite, this maxi dress shows that you don't have to opt for all-over sequins in order to shine. With sequins decorating the wrap bodice, this piece falls into a plain wrap skirt from the waist for an understated finish.
The fit-and-flare cut of this maxi dress couldn't be more timeless, as it hugs the waist and hips before falling into a luxuriously floaty skirt. Delicate angel sleeves complement the fluttery hem of the skirt, and the V-neckline is very flattering.
Long sleeves balance the short, knee-skimming length of this sequin dress, with a simple, figure-hugging cut creating a flattering style. While the sequins pick up a range of colours, the dress is grounded in a striking deep blue that feels understated and elegant for party season.
With a high crew neckline and structured shoulders that elongated her frame, the cut of Sally’s dress was classic and perfectly understated. It hugged her at the bust and waist, before falling straight at the hips and cascading into a draped, straight skirt that just skimmed the carpet. A great tip to follow ahead of party season is to keep the base design simple, and you can’t go wrong with a hefty dose of sequins.
As well as showing us how to wear sequins, Sally also answered the fashion dilemma of what shoes to wear with navy. She slipped into a pair of black pointed heels, which proves it’s an outdated style myth that these two colours clash.
