Pink princess gowns, daring cuts, sexy silhouettes and enough glittering gold to make a medal: The best and worst dressed on the Dally M red carpet
The NRL’s biggest names swapped shorts for suits on Wednesday night as the Dally M Medal rolled into Sydney, and as always our eyes were instead fixed firmly on the fashion.
And our favourite WAGs, players and red carpet queens more than understood the assignment.
Footy’s most glamorous women descended on Barangaroo’s The Cutaway for the sport’s night of nights, turning the carpet into a Hollywood-worthy runway – drama and all.
Sheer lace, strategically placed cut-outs, thigh-high splits and figure-hugging bridal-inspired numbers dominated the arrivals, with some of the league’s best-known couples entering in style.
There were also barely-there gowns, dramatic trains and enough gold to compete with the Dally M Medal itself as attendees put their own spin on one of Australian sport’s biggest fashion nights (whether you like it or not).
Some went classic and sleek, others threw out the rule book entirely and a few looks are guaranteed to divide opinion.
So let’s get into the fun.
The ‘Best’ Dressed
Now THIS is how you do the Dally Ms.
While there was no shortage of sparkle on the red carpet, plenty absolutely nailed the brief and ensured every single eye was on them (for the right reasons).
We were treated to immaculate tailoring, perfectly judged glam and gowns that managed to make a statement without wearing the person inside them.
From old-school Hollywood elegance to seriously sexy Barbie silhouettes, these were the looks that had us from the get go.
Kristi Trbojevic, wife of Manly Sea Eagles star Tom Trbojevic, looked every inch the princess in this dreamy pastel pink gown which fit her like a glove. Talk about a real-life Barbie!
Jada Taylor of the Cronulla Sharks was perfection in this look. It’s fun, glamorous and unapologetically pink, but still feels sophisticated. The intricate silver beading gives the gown movement while the fitted silhouette keeps all that sparkle from overwhelming her
The Today Show’s Taylor Haynes looked effortlessly elegant in a silky white gown featuring glamorous draping. She completed the polished look with a chic up-do, sparkling Nader diamonds and soft, natural makeup
Days after their relationship ‘hard launch’, Newcastle Knights star Kalyn Ponga and his designer girlfriend Mimi Bowell nailed the red carpet glam. We love Mimi’s bridal-esque gown, effortlessly tousled mermaid waves and impeccably matched clutch
Beauties in black! Journo Lara Pitt and Cronulla Sharks star Tiana Penitani Gray both nailed the minimalist black gown, bringing the sparkle while looking effortlessly comfortable as they made their way down the carpet
Evania Isa’ako of the Gold Coast Titans was our lady in red(ish)! The rich burgundy hue, beautifully fitted bodice and sweeping skirt made this a winner. It’s classic red-carpet glamour done well
Madison Pinkus arrived with North Queensland Cowboys star Reed Mahoney and again proved simplicity can win, opting for a figure-hugging slate gown, minimal accessories and an on-point slicked-back bun
Golden girl: Risks can sometimes pay off, and the world needs more fun. Brydie Parker of the Sydney Roosters brought a touch of Gatsby glamour to the carpet in a striking gown featuring an intricate scalloped bodice that flowed into a shimmering fringed skirt
Sophia Zouein, partner of Knights star Fletcher Sharpe, looked fantastic. The silver-on-silver styling is cohesive without feeling overdone while the heavily embellished fabric gives it enough drama for the Dally M carpet
Ria Maric, partner of Braydon Trindall of the Cronulla Sharks, looked fab! We love the intricate draping, sculpted neckline and soft champagne hue of this elegant gown
The fashion risks that didn’t quite pay off
We are here for a fun fashion risk. A red carpet would be incredibly boring if everyone turned up in the same perfectly pleasant black gown.
And while plenty of stars were willing to have some fun at this year’s Dally Ms, as with any big swing, not every one quite landed.
Whether it was one detail too many, an awkward cut or a gown that looked as though the stylist simply ran out of time for that final fitting, these were the looks that left us wanting just a little bit more.
Points for bravery, though. We’d take an interesting miss over boring any day.
Jessica Sergis of the Sydney Roosters (pictured with Tommy Talau of the Sydney Roosters) is drop dead gorgeous but the sheer lace against the heavy ivory satin almost reads like two different wedding dresses spliced together
Millie Elliott, wife of Adam Elliott of the Rabbitohs, also went bridal. We love the bodice, but the heavy satin skirt feels disconnected from the delicate detailing and the unforgiving fabric and visible creasing take away from what could have been a beautifully polished moment
Karina May arrived with husband Kieran Foran of the Manly Sea Eagles and her intricate crystal embellishment delivered plenty of red carpet drama. But the ultra-short nude underlayer created an awkward cut-off beneath the otherwise elegant floor-length silhouette
Isaah Yeo of the Panthers and his wife Ashleigh Camenzuli look great together. However while undeniably pretty, her dress veered a little too close to bridal, while the dropped waist and slightly fussy lace sleeves stopped the silhouette from feeling as polished as it could have
Jamayne Isaako of the Panthers arrived with long-term partner Abby Sutherland. We adored the butter yellow but between the sheer corsetry, gathered bust, braided trims and ruched hips, there were too many elements competing for attention in an otherwise flattering look
Presenter Eloise Sohier rocked a statement gold gown, but this one may have taken the brief a little too literally. The combination of sequins, metallic appliqué and heavy embellishment overwhelmed the otherwise elegant design
Careful! Sydney Roosters star Isabelle Kelly and the Gold Coast Titans’ Jaime Chapman rocked bold looks, but the daring cuts of their gowns had us questioning their practicality – and nervously anticipating a wardrobe malfunction
Laikha Clarke of the Gold Coast Titans always looks amazing – this one is more of a ‘near miss’. While we love a classic black gown, the combination of a plunging pointed neckline, thigh-high split and voluminous satin skirt left this look feeling slightly disjointed
While we liked Kezie Apps’ gown’s rich chocolate shade, the combination of the plunging halter neckline, heavy ruching and daring thigh-high split left the look feeling a little busy, while the black accessories weighed it down
