For The Handmaid’s Tale nominee Yvonne Strahovski, the 2018 Emmys on Monday (US time) were a formal baby shower – the Australian actor is overdue with her first baby – but other stars went for more of your bridal look on the red carpet.

White was everywhere – with varying degrees of success – but there was also a riot of colour, from Allison Janney’s mad purple and Thandie Newton’s fuschia to Tiffany Haddish’s circus tent stripes.

But first, Strahovski. She went for classy hippie chic, dressing her bump in a long-sleeved draped dress from US designers Warm.

The dress that should be on every bargain rack tomorrow: Scarlett Johansson’s face suggested she knew the plunging neckline, off the shoulder sleeves, ruching, split and last year’s shoes were too much but not nearly enough.

The Crown star Claire Foy was regal in a Calvin Klein sheath with fabulous back bow, which was modern but a teeny bit unflattering.

Was The Good Place’s Kristen Bell (in Solace London) paying homage to Meghan Markle’s wedding dress or a leotard?

Arriving with husband Justin Timberlake, first-time nominee Jessica Biel (The Sinner) wore a strapless geometric ballgown with Harry Winston jewels.

Penelope Cruz left nothing on the table. Or in the wardrobe. Very Romanov princess meets uptight swan.

First-time nominee Vanessa Kirby (The Crown) was contemporary perfection in a shell pink sheath and dramatic makeup.

In couture Calvin Klein, Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things) looked like an edgily sweet Marie Antoinette-esque meringue. Her stylist is worth every cent.

Stranger Things’ Natalia Dyer was both maidenly and maiden aunt.

Orange is the New Black star Samira Wiley in sleek sequinned silver by Kate Middleton favourite Jenny Packham.

Westworld’s Angela Sarafyan had the night’s biggest dress. Which could be a good thing, could be a bad thing.

And this is how to do glamour, ladies. Love it or hate it, Allison Janney’s gown ticked boxes for colour, cool (the cape) and X-factor.

Wrongtown shoes and bag, insipid colours, weird detailing, good hair. That about wraps it up for The Handmaid’s Tale Alexis Bledel (in Delpozo).

Dakota Fanning doing It Girl in Grecian-flavoured emerald Dior.

Chrissy Teigen said we’ve all been saying her name wrong (should be “Tie-gen”) but she messed up her look by herself: Zuhair Murad road warrior meets a bedazzling machine meets a dressing gown.

First rule of Emmys night club: no cutouts, Alison Brie. Second rule of Emmys night club: Be careful looking to Katy Perry for style inspiration.

Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke was the happiest gal on the gold carpet, and why not? Her Dior was a balance of feminine and gothic.

Clarke’s co-star Gwendoline Christie was rumpled and in flats, and still nailed it as the sexiest celebrity of the night. Effortless glamour.

Strong hair, makeup and platforms, but Felicity Huffman somehow gave off an Amway convention vibe. Pantsuit moment passed, maybe?

Nominee Issa Rae (Insecure) pushed the envelope in a wacky bridesmaid Vera Wang jumpsuit that maybe came from the budget line.

Westworld’s Evan Rachel Wood always brings the drama.

Jenifer Lewis (Black-ish) wore Nike to thank them for supporting athlete Colin Kaepernick in his protest against racial injustice.

Nominee Sandra Oh (Killing Eve) killed it in Ralph & Russo.

Ice dancer overtones, yes – and mullet skirt and bodysuit – but nominee Keri Russell (The Americans) was memorable and totally grown up in Zuhair Murad.

Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery in sophisticated, modern Carolina Herrera. Amazing colour.

Winner Thandie Newton (Westworld) went for a candy colour with sleek retro styling. We want to go to your cocktail party.

Also in the pink: Tracee Ellis Ross, whose Valentino was described variously as a Doona cover or the result of a lost bet.

The Handmaid’s Tale Elisabeth Moss was Pamela Anderson-ish in the best possible way in custom Dior with diamond tennis bracelet.

Adore. Poppy Delevingne’s seafoam green is the perfect example of how to do a hot, fashion-forward mermaid. Sofia Vergara, check this out.

Winner Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) was both understated and dripping in old-school Hollywood glamour.

Tiffany Haddish stood out in Prabal Gurung, which may have been inspired by a Gymbaroo parachute.

And most beautiful couple of the night was Joe Keery (Stranger Things) and Maika Monroe. Her Stella McCartney jumpsuit was everything – cool, covered-up – and his velvet slippers and Dolce & Gabbana suit were just on the right side of too Euro trash.