Kerry Washington looked stunning in a Marchesa chiffon gown on the red carpet at the 65th Primetime Emmys on Sunday night.

Earlier this week at the pre-Emmy Dynamic & Diverse reception hosted by the TV Academy and SAG-AFTRA, Washington spoke to Us Weekly about the dress she had picked out for the special occasion.

While looking for the perfect gown the 36-year-old told the publication that look, comfort, and color, were the three things that governed her decision. "This dress, I just knew [it was the one]. I put it on and was like, 'I'm done,'" she said.

Washington was nominated in the category of outstanding lead actress in a drama series for her role as Olivia Pope in Scandal. The other nominees in the category are Connie Britton (Nashville), Claire Danes (Homeland), Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey), Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel), Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men), and Robin Wright (House of Cards).

"It's important to always dress to make yourself happy, because if you're always trying to please other people you're never going to feel fulfilled," she told the publication. "You have to make sure that when you walk out of the house that you feel good about yourself."

Washington also credited her stylist and best friend Erin Walsh. "Everybody needs to have a really good tailor! That's the biggest thing. It's unfortunate that women feel that in the store things should fit perfectly because that's when you leave feeling like you're imperfect in some way. And it's not true!" she said. "Everybody should have a good tailor because everybody's body is different."

Tags: Kerry Washington 2013 Emmys Red Carpet scandal