Being ahead of the game sartorially takes a lot of work, and it would seem an innate sense of style.
And while many Australian celebrities who stepped out on the red carpet this year stunned, many had eyes on them for all the wrong reasons.
From Imogen Anthony’s bizarre fashion week PVC statement to racy cuts and garish designs, here FEMAIL looks at the most outrageous, daring and memorable fashion moments of 2017 – and they don’t disappoint.
Sophie Monk (pictured left) and Wentworth star Danielle Cormack ensembles failed to hit the mark on the red carpet at the AACTA awards
Those who arrived at the AACTA Awards red carpet this year certainly left an impression on onlookers, with many celebrities pulling out all the stops to stand out from their peers.
Generally speaking the LBT (little black dress) is a hard one to get wrong, but Sophie Monk rocked an unusual take on the classic at the AACTA Awards.
The unusual combination – a black bodice and removable skirt – was paired with a cheeky Tinkerbell-style top knot which made for a youthful yet somewhat confusing final result.
Kyle Sandilands’ girlfriend Imogen Anthony was the star of this year’s Fashion Week
Wentworth actress, Danielle Cormack, also missed the mark when she appeared in a plum-coloured frou frou number featuring a plunging bodice and sweeping train.
Natalie Bassingthwaite’s choice: a soft pink organza gown black ribbon embellishments could have been a winner, if only it had two sleeves or even none at all.
Former Australian Idol star Jessica Mauboy also made a questionable choice in gracing an ill-fitting see-through gown in pink – the gown just one of a few unusual choices for the singing sensation over the 12 months.
Natalie Bassingthwaite’s floor-length gown almost saw the fashion scales tip in her favour
When it comes to the front row at fashion week, ‘frowers’ tend to want to make a statement, especially at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.
And true to her signature, daring style, it was Kyle Sandilands’ girlfriend Imogen Anthony who was the star of the Fashion Week street style show after making several grand entrances in various risqué and downright bizarre looks.
Among her standout designs was an ensemble comprising of a magenta mini, faux fur coat and matching hot pink patent leather knee high boots.
Ms Anthony’s pièce de résistance – a floor-length grey patterned shift which she teemed with a very fashion-forward bejewelled face mask
As the week wore on, Ms Anthony, clearly a fashion risk taker, upped the ante, with even stranger looks, including a sequined mini emblazoned with the words: ‘Could you f*** the badness out of me’.
She paired this with elevated black PVC thigh high boots, a floor-length black coat, trimmed in red, and a red and black patterned cowboy hat.
In a bid to outshine everyone at the star studded affair, Ms Anthony’s pièce de résistance – a floor-length grey patterned shift which she teemed with a very fashion-forward bejewelled face mask.
Fashion Week front rowers Lindy Klim (pictured right) and Brooke Testoni (pictured left) both turned up to the opening event wearing the same outfit
‘I always get asked why I wear what I do, when I do and “how I find the confidence” to do it. I get what I do is niche and not everyone would do it nor understand it, but it’s not the crazy item of clothing I necessarily wear, it’s the standard principals behind it,’ Ms Anthony wrote recently.
‘After looking further into the dynamics and socio-economics of it all, it all essentially comes down to a couple of things; A) because I want to wear what I want and feel how I want… B) Life is short and you spend more of your life older than you do younger. Someone a lot older told me that, it stuck with me. ‘
Model Jesinta Campbell also turned heads at Fashion Week with her pairing of a bold leather top with jeans – the edgy creation failing to flatter her enviable figure.
Fashion ‘It’ girls Lindy Klim and Brooke Testoni also suffered every style guru’s worst nightmare when they both appeared at the opening of the week-long event wearing identical Dion Lee thigh-grazing dresses.
Model Jesinta Campbell also turned heads at Fashion Week with her pairing of a bold leather top with jeans
Racing season also saw a flood of unique get-ups in the Birdcage, including Myer ambassador, Lauren Phillips, in a sheer pink Asilio lacy trouser suit and Stefania Ferrario in her Mossman batwing gown.
Also taking a risk was Bec Hewiit in a bizarre lacy gothic look, Channel Seven presenter and Sahar Biniaz in her mismatched floral and polka dot dress.
Former MKR star Ash Pollard made a splash paying homage to Coco Chanel in a form-fitting tweed jacket and skirt set while 50-year-old singer Kate Ceberano arrived at one of the race days in a maroon-coloured strapless dress and yellow shrug.
Myer ambassador, Lauren Phillips (pictured left) in a sheer pink Asilio lacy trouser suit and Stefania Ferrario in her Mossman batwing gown (pictured right)
MKR star Ash Pollard wore a Chanel-inspired two piece to the Melbourne cup, and again wowed in a striking pink trench on arrival at the Caulfield Cup
Bec Hewitt in a bizarre lacy gothic look (pictured left), Channel Seven presenter and Sahar Biniaz in her mismatched floral and polka dot dress (pictured right)
Real Housewives of Melbourne star, Pettifleur Berenger, stayed true to her quirky style in a bumble bee-inspired outfit paired with Versace boots and a headpiece.
Former MKR star Ash Pollard also made a splash paying homage to Coco Chanel in a form-fitting tweed jacket and skirt set.
She accessorised with oversized sunglasses, a red $129 Olga Berg bag and completed her Coco Chanel ensemble with white pearls and a broad-brimmed hat.
Alli Simpson chose to drape herself head to toe in baby pink for a standout look at this year’s ARIA’s
The Arias also saw some memorable looks hit the red carpet as stars dared to bare in a bid to stand out in the sartorial stakes.
Spearheading the group of fashionistas was Alli Simpson who chose to drape herself head to toe in baby pink.
The 19-year-old’s unusual outfit featured a sheer coat over a plain white top and a pair of loose-fitting pink trousers, which matched her suede heeled boots.
Tegan Martin made quite the sartorial statement in a floor-length lilac gown that also did double duty as a mini dress
Once again, Jessica Mauboy’s dress was more suited to a wedding than a red carpet while Richard Wilkins’ new flame Virginia Burmeiste made a bold fashion move in a barely there halterneck style floral frock.
The most prestigious awards ceremony in the Australian NRL universe – the Dally M awards – was also an interesting sight fashionwise.
Tegan Martin, who veered away from her often-safe style, rocked a lilac-retro-style gown reminiscent of the taffeta prom looks from the 80s.
Phoebe Burgess (pictured left) wore a daring leather thigh-split gown – unfortunately a wardrobe malfunction let her look down
New mum Phoebe Burgess made quite the statement with both a low-cut neck line and a racy thigh-high split, pairing the striking choice with dark green pumps.
Sadly, an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction let her down.
The 2017 Logie Awards also proved great ground for outrageous looks.
The Real Housewives of Melbourne star Gamble Breaux’s glittery gown was a fabulous sight to behold while TV presenter Gorgi Coghlan wore a very fluffy get-up by Con Ilio and admitted the garment was a little tricky to move in.
Model Jesinta Franklin (nee Campbell) turned heads at the very chic Tiffany and Co event held in December but sadly not for all the right reasons
Turning heads, albeit for all the wrong reasons, at the very chic Tiffany and Co event held in December was model Jesinta Campbell and her husband Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin.
Though the event should have been a stellar moment to debut her new blonde do, the model’s choice of crop top paired with baggy pleated high-waisted pants made for a less than stunning statement.
While 2017 certainly didn’t disappoint on the style front, it’s likely 2018 will hold even more celebrity sartorial surprises.