Who wore it better? Rugby League vs Brownlow red carpets

IT’S always a Melbourne versus Sydney fashion battle. And never more so than last night, as both cities went heel to heel. Melissa Hoyer decides.

YES, it is always a Melbourne versus Sydney fashion battle. And never more so than last night, as both cities went heel to heel hosting the two premier red carpet events for their most popular footy codes.

In the Melbourne corner, the Brownlow’s went all coloured, feathered and baby bumpy, all on a backdrop of some killer black dresses.

The Sydney corner, meanwhile opted for showing off skin, lots of sheer panels and low necks, some wicked white and oodles of diamonds.

While sports peeps and footy fans know where to go to read about the players part of the night (it’s called sport and can be found elsewhere on this very website) for many of us it’s all about the frocks.

And while the most inane question of all time: ‘who are you wearing?’ will haunt red carpets until fashion extinction, it’s the one element some of us look forward to the most. (*Cue eye rolls from some readers*)

And I have one thing to say, this year the fashion battle was as close as it has ever been.

Let’s be honest, the Gownlows usually take home the style crown, fairly convincingly, but this year those fashion upstarts at the Dally M’s gave them a slight fashion nudge.

Tessa James and Nate Myles arrive at the 20145 Dally M Awards at Star City

Thanks to the likes of Dally M guests Tessa James (her partner is Nate Myles), Lara Pitt in white, Laura Geitz and a black, low-cut clad Terry Biviano (who is looking more and more like a super glam candidate for Real Housewives of Sydney every minute) the Dally M fashion factor was seriously upped.

Lara Pitt arrives at the 20145 Dally M Awards at Star City.

Brash Sydney-siders seemed to bare skin (what’s new?) while Melbourne women took a slightly more covered up approach . . . not that you would think that judging by the likes of Rebecca Judd, the reigning Brownlow fashion queen.

Chris Judd of the Carlton Blues and Rebecca Judd arrive at the 2015 Brownlow Medal

Bec, ever so appropriately took the Gold Logie approach to her gown. Well, it is the final time she is at the awards night in her official wife-of-a-player role, so wearing a gold bejewelled, beaded and sequinned J’aton dress, like it was cementing her place as Queen B.

But hang on a minute, this year I could not go past Clementine McVeigh as best dressed at the Brownlow in an exquisite and simply Monique Huillier dress in a deep sea blue silk. From her sleek hair to killer Cerrone diamonds and dark nails. She got it. Big time.

Clementine McVeigh the wife of Jarrad McVeigh of the Swans arrives at the 2015 Brownlow Medal

You want feathers? They’re all over runways around the world and fashion blogger Jessie Haberman wore hers on a huge white train and a sheer panelled lace gown.

The dress may have been more bold bridal than Brownlow, but her Oglialoro Couture gown was getting everyone talking on social media.

Other Melbourne red carpet love went to Rebecca Maddern in a KILLER shade of orange from Cappellazzo Couture. Brilliant colour to wear on the ruby rug.

Television presenter Rebecca Maddern poses wearing neoprene outfit by Sonia Cappallezazo at the Brownlow Medal Ceremony

Meanwhile in Sydney, getting it right was Nine’s Sylvia Jeffreys, Miss Universe gal Tegan Martin and Lee Watson (nee Furlong) who wore in a simple cream Willow gown. But I still give Tessa James my Sydney gong with her relaxed silk evening green kimono-esque jacket and long navy split skirt from designer Michael Lo Sordo had a contemporary and simply cool edge. Loved it.

Baby bumps were exquisitely shown off on the red carpet with Elise Swallow fab in navy satin and fashion blogger Nadia Bartel (oh, and wife of Jimmy Bartel) swathing her burgeoning bump in a peach hued dress from Paolo Sebastian.

Nadia Bartel, partner of Jimmy Bartel of the Geelong Cats arrives

The capital city fashion race was as close as it has ever been this year and while Melbourne just nudged home as the red carpet winner, those Brownlow’s better watch out next year, Sydney’s slowly coming at-cha . .

Brownlow 2015 red carpet

WHAT MELBOURNE WORE:

*Lots and lots of vibrant block colours from cobalt blue to sea blue and pure orange

*Simple and sexy long black dresses worn on the likes of Katie Cody, Samantha Briant and Rachael Finch got the tick of approval

*Red on the red carpet continued to be a thing – and a mighty good thing too with a smoking lace and silk look from Jessie Hultgren

*Hair was relaxed and wavy as opposed to too stitched up and too ‘bridesmaid’ looking

*it was cut-out city with lots of Brownlow women opting for cut-outs at the stomach, waists, chest and legs

Dally Ms 2015 red carpet

WHAT SYDNEY WORE:

*Cuts-outs, a mega train and LOTS of skin thanks to Dally M guest Ortenzia Borre and designed by Souraya Bridal Evening wear.

*White was big news with the best, long-sleeved white dress worn by dynamic Fox Sports reporter Lara Pitt while Emma Tindall and Simone Ennis wore white well too

*Maroon (Hello broncos!) was the colour of choice from TV gal Sylvia Jeffries: I loved her Daniel Avakian dress and McQueen clutch bag frm Cosmopolitan Shoes. In fact, silk neck ties were a big trend and one from Daniel Avakian was also worn by Tegan Martin

*A few strapless bras may not have gone astray for couple of dresses – I mean, where to look?

*Bejewelled necklines and shoulder jewellery made some great style statements