Every once in a while, a red carpet moment does more than turn heads. It tells a story. At the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards in September 2025, Noah Wyle delivered one of those moments. Wearing a custom tuxedo by FIGS — a company known for medical scrubs — Wyle didn’t just dress up for the night; he wove together his acting work, his advocacy, and a tribute to healthcare workers into what he referred to as “Black Tie Scrubs.”
What Happened & Why It Stands Out
The outfit: The tux was made in midnight blue with classic styling — peak lapels, clean tailoring — but infused with signature touches from FIGS. The inner collar of the dress shirt bears the phrase “Awesome Human,” echoing the brand’s slogan, “Awesome Humans Wear FIGS.” (Let’s just say subtle branding, big meaning.)
The inspiration: Wyle says the idea came during the Gotham Awards. After someone asked him if his tuxedo was as comfortable as the scrubs he wears on The Pitt, he challenged FIGS: make one that is. And they did. The result blends red carpet formality with the ease and empathy of healthcare apparel.
The symbolism: Wyle’s character on The Pitt is Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, so there’s an in-show tie to scrubs already. This tux wasn’t just a fashion statement — it’s a love letter to healthcare workers, people on the frontlines. It’s a rare red carpet piece that reaches beyond glamour to purpose.
The Significance: Why This Matters
Fashion as advocacy: It’s powerful when what someone wears becomes a platform. Wyle didn’t just choose a look; he used the look to highlight healthcare workers, to see them, to validate them. That shifts the red carpet from spectacle to statement.
Branding + authenticity: FIGS isn’t a luxury fashion house; it’s a brand built around function (scrubs), comfort, the medical community. Partnering with Wyle in this way pushes their identity outward: That their apparel matters not just in the operating room but in culture. It’s a bold move to extend beyond healthcare workplaces into red carpet visibility.
Cultural resonance: The timing feels especially relevant. With continuing conversations around healthcare, burnout, recognition of essential workers post-pandemic, mental health, etc., there’s an audience ready for these gestures of recognition. Wyle’s tuxedo doesn’t fix systemic issues, but it acknowledges them in a high profile way.
What This Teaches Us
Pieces with purpose can amplify both the wearer and the cause. When the aesthetic is aligned with the message, the impact feels more authentic.
Collaborations that push brand boundaries — like FIGS doing red carpet fashion — carry risk, but also the chance to reshape how people think about what that brand represents.
Visibility matters. Whether it’s what gets said on stage or what’s worn walking in, these moments shape stories about identity, values, and respect.
The Short of it
Noah Wyle’s Emmys tuxedo isn’t just a stylish choice; it’s a statement about comfort, values, and recognition. It’s proof that fashion still has power beyond glamour. When it comes wrapped in intention, people notice. When businesses, artists, and brands come together with vision and respect, it becomes something more than what meets the eye.