Sussan Ley and Laura Chalmers garnered attention on Wednesday when they chose to wear the same dress in different colors for the 2025 Midwinter Ball in Canberra.

Attending the yearly event at Parliament House, the opposition leader, aged 63, embraced timeless elegance with a $1,299 Rebecca Vallance gown purchased directly from the store.

But while she showed off the classic off-the-shoulder silhouette in an ivory colour, magazine editor Chalmers showed up in the same garb but in navy.

Nevertheless, the pair were all smiles as they took the fashion faux pas in their stride. 

Ley accessorised her designer looks with a simple silver bracelet and matching pendant earrings.

She also stepped into a pair of silver pumps.

Sussan Ley, 63, and Laura Chalmers, 41, caught attention on Wednesday by wearing the same dress in different colors for the 2025 Midwinter Ball in Canberra.

Appearing at Parliament House during the annual gathering, the opposition leader chose a classic style with a $1,299 gown from Rebecca Vallance.

Ley complemented her look with glamorous makeup, featuring a red lip and dark smoky eye, while her short blonde hair was neatly tucked behind her ears.

Meanwhile, Chalmers, who is an Editor In Chief at Weekend Magazine, opted for a more pared-back look. 

She kept her accessories to a minimum, opting for only a pair of silver pumps and a silver bracelet—once again similar to Ley’s outfit.

Chalmers also straightened out her blonde locks and flaunted her natural beauty with very minimal makeup, holding a large pink clutch in hand. 

The mother-of-three matched her husband, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who ditched the requested black tie in favour of a navy number to match his wife. 

At one point, the happy couple were seen posing for a photo with fellow colour matched pair Mark Butler and Daniela Ritorto. 

When asked about the dress, Ley told The Australian: ‘[Rebecca Vallance] is known for their designs for modern women. I love it.’ 

The politician was among those who offered a prize at the charity auction, putting forward a ‘mystery flight and lunch’. 

While Ley showcased the classic off-the-shoulder style in ivory, magazine editor Chalmers arrived in the same dress in navy, appearing alongside her husband, Jim.

At one point, the Chalmers were seen posing for a photo with fellow colour matched pair Mark Butler and Daniela Ritorto

It was won by an anonymous 18-year-old climate activist. 

Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes a Court made the successful bid on behalf of the winner, offering up $15,000 for the prize. 

Notably, Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie appeared to turn her nose up at the prize Ley offered at the charity auction.

When asked if she was interested in bidding on the ‘mystery flight and lunch’, she was quick to shoot down the idea with a blunt response: ‘Not particularly, no.’