Footy WAG reveals why she broke Brownlow’s black-tie dress code by wearing a blazer and shorts instead of a dress: ‘It wasn’t a disrespectful thing’
Haylea Cooney didn’t adhere to the black tie dress code for the 2022 Brownlow Medal in Melbourne on Sunday night, rocking late in a blazer and shorts instead of the usual cocktail dress.
The wife of former Western Bulldogs star Adam Cooney instead played it cool and casual for the AFL’s night of nights in a khaki cropped suit she bought from Country Road, telling the Herald Sun on Tuesday it was “just me, being me”.
“I’ve never been more nervous than going to the Brownlow in my life,” she said, recounting how she struggled to find a dress for the ceremony with just four days in advance.
Haylea Cooney didn’t adhere to the ‘black tie’ dress code for the Brownlow Medal in Melbourne on Sunday night, rocking late in a blazer and shorts rather than the usual cocktail dress
The Footy WAG continued: “Adam told me on Thursday we were going. We live in Geelong now and I’ve looked around but couldn’t find anything.’
Haylea admitted she usually “crash diets” for months before red carpet events, but this year she didn’t have time to think about it. Fashion-wise, she had to settle for a black crop top and “big chunky boots” underneath her oversized blazer.
“I gave a little shit about the black tie dress code and was sweating in my big chunky boots and country road suit, but it was the first year that I was really comfortable,” she said. “That wasn’t disrespectful; it was just me being me.’
The wife of former Western Bulldogs star Adam Cooney instead played it cool and casual for the AFL’s night of nights in a khaki cropped suit she bought from Country Road, telling the Herald Sun on Tuesday it was “just me, being me”.
Haylea posted pictures of her outfit to Instagram on Monday, posing with her husband wearing a black-on-black suit alongside the caption, “Brownlow finished 2022.
‘Four Days’ announcement (thanks, Ads). Definitely the most comfortable I’ve ever been in: no crash diet, no dress, no heels, no purse… I don’t actually know how they let me in.
“As much fun as always with you. A big thank you to my sister [Danielle Gardiner] for working her magic on my face and hair.’
“I’ve never been more nervous than going to the Brownlow in my life,” she said, sharing how she struggled to find a dress with just four days in advance
Haylea said she and Adam intentionally arrived late at the venue to avoid the media crowd and ended up receiving “a lot of positive and funny comments” from guests.
She was at the Brownlow dozens of times during her husband’s football career, with Adam winning the prestigious medal in 2008.
The following year, Haylea made the worst dressed list for a strapless mermaid dress made from a white material that resembled shiny leather in photos.
Haylea was at the Brownlow dozens of times during her husband’s football career, and Adam won the prestigious medal in 2008. (Both are pictured in the 2011 Brownlow.)
Writing for the Herald Sun in 2016, Haylea said she “shed a few tears” when she woke up the next morning to read what critics had said about her dress.
“No girl ever wears a dress and thinks it’s on their worst dressed list,” she said.
“She’ll walk down the carpet thinking she looks damn hot and only you will tell her otherwise. Keep that in mind before you get too critical.’
The following year, Haylea made the worst dressed list for a strapless mermaid dress made from a white material that resembled shiny leather in photos. (Pictured: Haylea and Adam Cooney with their children Ashlea and Jaxon in Melbourne on August 16, 2016)