Each year, the TV Week Logie Awards serve as Australian television’s night of nights, a prestigious event where industry luminaries gather to celebrate achievements and, perhaps more notoriously, showcase their sartorial choices on the red carpet. While many stars grace the carpet in stunning, memorable ensembles, history also remembers those outfits that, for various reasons, missed the mark spectacularly. These fashion faux pas, ranging from ill-fitting gowns to questionable accessory choices, offer a candid look into the perilous balance between making a statement and making a mistake. As the years unfold, these less-than-stellar looks continue to be revisited, serving as both a source of amusement and a cautionary tale for future attendees navigating the high-stakes world of red carpet fashion.
One of the most recent and talked-about missteps occurred in 2024, when Emily Weir, a prominent star from the popular drama Home and Away, ignited a flurry of commentary with her daring choice. Appearing in a baby pink dress, Weir’s ensemble was a bewildering concoction of sheer panels, rhinestones, and tulle. While aiming for a bold, show-stopping effect, the frock turned out to be far riskier than intended, exposing more than anticipated and leading to widespread raised eyebrows and mixed reviews. It became a glittering example of how ambitious design, when executed without precision or proper consideration for fit, can quickly veer into the realm of the infamous, overshadowing any positive intent.
Another figure who suffered a 2024 fashion misfortune was Melissa King, host of Better Homes and Gardens. Her choice of an ill-fitting Amanda Tasevski gown proved to be a critical misjudgment, most notably due to a sheer, corseted midriff that left her high-waisted Spanx fully exposed. This oversight, whether attributed to a stylist’s blunder or a last-minute wardrobe malfunction, instantly transformed what should have been an elegant appearance into a widely critiqued moment. The visibility of undergarments is a cardinal sin on any red carpet, and King’s unfortunate experience served as a stark reminder of how easily a well-intentioned look can be undone by such a detail, leaving her deserving of a future “red carpet redemption.”
Rewinding to 2018, Channel Nine journalist Leila McKinnon made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Her futuristic, tinsel-inspired frock was a bewildering sight, seemingly crafted from materials more suited for festive decorations than a high-profile awards ceremony. The glitzy design, which showed off her cleavage and skimmed her curves, was widely likened to “Spotlight-sourced party tinsel,” conjuring images of craft store aisles rather than haute couture. Coupled with heavy smoky eye makeup and a liberal sweep of blush, her entire presentation felt disjointed and overwhelmed by the eccentric fabric, cementing its place in Logies fashion infamy.
In 2017, Olympia Valance presented a similarly overwhelming look with her rose-stamped creation by Con Ilio. The design featured a billowing velvet skirt and an oversized print that did little to flatter her frame. The addition of a bizarre head wrap further compounded the visual chaos, failing to enhance an already busy aesthetic. Despite Valance’s reputation for bold fashion choices, this particular ensemble left audiences distinctly unimpressed, proving that more elements do not always equate to a more striking or successful outfit. The delicate balance of proportion and pattern was clearly lost in this maximalist attempt.
Tracy Grimshaw, of A Current Affair, stumbled into a sartorial misstep in 2009. Her royal purple number, adorned with rhinestone detailing and featuring a voluminous skirt, earned her a spot on numerous worst-dressed lists. The garish hue, combined with what was described as a “throwback haircut” and a “fast fashion-style purse,” contributed to a look that was decidedly dated, even for its time. Grimshaw’s choice highlighted how a lack of cohesion across an entire ensemble – from gown to hair to accessories – can result in a look that feels out of touch and uninspired, a stark contrast to the modern elegance often aspired to at such events.
The year 2022 saw former Neighbours star Natalie Bassingthwaighte fall victim to a fashion misstep. Her pink smock-like dress, featuring gold accents, failed to flatter her otherwise spectacular figure. The shapeless silhouette, combined with an equally perplexing choice of Egyptian-style block bracelets, left many scratching their heads. This ensemble underscored how an outfit’s cut and accessories can either elevate or detract from a celebrity’s natural poise and beauty. In Bassingthwaighte’s case, the chosen pieces seemed to work against her, creating a look that lacked definition and sophistication.
Libby Babet from The Biggest Loser also caused a stir in 2017 with an outfit that sharply divided opinion. She opted for a glittering silver pencil dress adorned with flamenco-inspired fringe detailing, which, while visually engaging, felt overwhelming. The ensemble was completed with chunky white heels and a high-drama ponytail, creating a cacophony of conflicting styles. Babet’s look showcased the risks of combining too many disparate trends without a unifying vision, resulting in an outfit that appeared more costumed than chic and left many questioning its suitability for the red carpet.
A look back at Margot Robbie’s 2009 appearance, long before her Hollywood ascendancy, reveals another notable fashion faux pas. The then-Neighbours star donned a dramatic, flamenco-inspired black and red mullet dress. Despite being nominated for Most Popular New Female Talent, her outfit was panned by fashion critics for its theatricality and unsuitability for the Logies red carpet. While this wasn’t her finest sartorial moment, it serves as a fascinating point of contrast to her impeccable, five-star Barbie promotional looks in 2023, illustrating a remarkable evolution in her understanding of high-fashion and personal branding.
Christian Wilkins, known for his boundary-pushing fashion, encountered a misstep in 2018. The son of veteran entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins arrived in a distinctly casual red plaid frock layered over ill-fitting black trousers, accessorized with biker-style boots. This ensemble felt profoundly out of place, more suited to streetwear or a quirky art gallery opening than the formal glamour of the Logies. Wilkins’ choice highlighted the importance of adhering to an event’s dress code, as his outfit’s casual nature clashed severely with the prestigious atmosphere, leading to it being categorized as a significant faux pas.
In 2016, The Real Housewives of Melbourne star Gamble Breaux made an audacious statement with an “OTT” (over-the-top) ensemble that left little to the imagination. Her relatively simple beige dress was overshadowed by unusual, overpowering leg jewels that garnered immediate attention. A thigh-high split showcased her toned legs, while glitter-soaked heels added even more drama to an already eccentric look. Breaux’s outfit was a prime example of how excessive accessorizing can detract from, rather than enhance, an outfit, transforming a potentially understated gown into a spectacle of misdirected adornment.
Also from Home and Away, Bonnie Sveen looked markedly different from her “bikini babe” character when she attended the 2017 Logies. She appeared in an unusual two-piece ensemble crafted from grey brocade, looking visibly uncomfortable as she posed for cameras. Paired with black strappy heels, the outfit did little to complement her petite frame. Sveen’s experience illustrated how an ill-fitting or unconventional choice can make a celebrity appear ill at ease, ultimately diminishing their presence on a night where confidence is key.
Another Home and Away veteran, Georgie Parker, similarly missed the fashion mark in 2016. She wore a bronze silk gown that completely swamped her slender frame. The floor-length Constantina & Louise dress featured a plunging neckline and ruched detailing around her stomach, which, combined with House of Emmanuele body jewellery and cuffs trailing fabric, created an overly elaborate and heavy look. Parker’s ensemble demonstrated that even luxurious fabrics and intricate designs can fail if they overpower the wearer’s silhouette or are accessorized to excess, resulting in a look that feels more cumbersome than captivating.
Some Logies fashion statements transcend mere missteps and become iconic in their eccentricity. In 2004, drag queen Courtney Act famously turned heads in a one-of-a-kind dress made entirely from photos of veteran entertainer Bert Newton. While an undeniable tribute and conversation starter, its unconventional material for formal wear automatically placed it outside the realm of traditional elegance, firmly securing its place as an unforgettable, albeit visually jarring, moment on the red carpet.
Football WAG Rebecca Judd took a significant fashion risk in 2017 with her J’Aton Couture frock. The design featured an elaborate ruffled front and a jarring combination of pink and red lace. Despite her impeccable hair and makeup, the sheer, long-sleeved design sparked considerable online debate. Judd’s dress highlighted the fine line between avant-garde and awkward, demonstrating how bold design choices, particularly those involving clashing colors and textures, can easily polarize audiences and land on the wrong side of critical acclaim.
Former Married At First Sight star Cheryl Maitland’s 2018 Logies appearance also made waves for its fashion flaws. Her burgundy strapless frock featured bizarre see-through mesh under the bust and excessive draping from the waist, which overwhelmed her petite frame. Maitland’s outfit was a clear example of how awkward cut-outs and disproportionate fabric can sabotage an otherwise promising design, making a garment appear ill-conceived and unflattering.
Newsreader Lee Lin Chin, renowned for her unique fashion sense, made a bold statement at the 2015 Logie Awards. She wore a white T-shirt-style frock paired with lace leggings and sleeves, topped off with a dramatic black hat wrapped in tulle around her face and neck. Chin’s ensemble epitomized her eccentric personal style, yet its fusion of casual elements (the T-shirt dress) with more theatrical components (the hat and lace) created a visually discordant effect that stood out as unconventional rather than chic on a formal red carpet.
Men’s fashion also has its share of Logies misfires. In 2011, Ash Williams took menswear to “wild new heights” by arriving in tight metallic trousers, a silver jacket, and gold body paint smeared across his bare chest. This extreme and highly theatrical choice was far removed from traditional formalwear, cementing its place as an outrageous and unforgettable departure from red carpet norms.
Finally, former Neighbours star Caitlin Stasey made a divisive statement at the 2015 Logies. Sporting a silver bull nose ring in her septum, she completed her look with an ill-fitting jumpsuit that divided opinion. Stasey’s choice underscored how personal statements, while perhaps impactful, can sometimes come at the expense of sartorial elegance, especially when the garment itself fails to flatter the wearer’s figure.
In retrospect, these Logies fashion faux pas, whether due to ill-advised cuts, clashing materials, or simply poor judgment, collectively form a fascinating chapter in Australian celebrity culture. They serve as a powerful reminder that while the red carpet offers an unparalleled platform for self-expression, it is also a minefield where the pursuit of uniqueness can easily stray into the territory of the unfortunate. Each memorable misstep contributes to the ongoing narrative of Logies fashion, teaching valuable lessons in style, confidence, and the enduring power of a truly well-executed ensemble – or the lack thereof.
