50th Annual CMA Awards: Best and Worst Dressed
While some artists flowed down the carpet in gorgeous gowns and well-tailored tuxes, others made a bold statement with their ensembles at the famed awards show.
The country stars dressed up in their black tie best for the 50th Annual CMA Awards. Honoring the traditions of the past with their formal attire, each and every country star that hit the carpet donned their own version of the fancy dress code, creating variations of their own personalities through different materials and eclectic patterns alike.
While some artists flowed down the carpet in gorgeous gowns and well-tailored tuxes, others made a bold statement with their ensembles at the famed awards show.
Take a peek at who landed themselves on the best of the best list of both men and women, and who winded up scoring a mishap in the fashion department at the 50th anniversary of the CMAs.
Best Dressed–Women
Carrie Underwood: This country queen was crowned as the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year and also as one of the beautiful belles of the ball. Wearing a stunning nude beaded halter gown by Michael Cinco, she truly proved why she reigns over country music in her always-gorgeous red carpet style and flawless vocals.
Kelsea Ballerini: ‘Dibs’ on naming Kelsea Ballerini one of the prettiest gals in the group as she donned a playfully pretty floral halter dress that gave the shades of fall a run for its money. Mixtures of maroons and deep pinks flowed throughout the Michael Costello design while she strutted down the carpet in her sweetheart style. And what better way to accessorize than having some eye candy on your arm?! (We’re looking at you, Morgan Evans.)
RaeLynn: While many people know RaeLynn for her quirky character and cute Southern voice, she stepped up her game as she graced the carpet in an elegant pale grey gown. With an on-trend sheer silver bodice matched with a dream-like flowy skirt, it looked almost as if RaeLynn floated down the carpet on a cloud.
Hillary Scott: Winter whites are back, people, and they are here to stay! Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum followed the white hot trend with a caped Pamela Roland number, complete with detailed draping and a structured waistline. Pairing the look with the perfect silver pendant, she made her entrance to the award look as effortless as ever.
Miranda Lambert: Well, hello Miranda Lambert! This country star knows that sporting all black never goes out of style and her Georges Hobeika flowy number fit her in all the right places to show off her sexy bod. Besides, her all-together beauty look adds a sultry kick and her matching pointed pumps give her reason to be on the top.
Best Dressed–Men
Thomas Rhett: It’s true to say that trends from the 90s are alive and well, and one of the most prominent fashions for the fall just so happens to be velvet. Whether it’s crushed or colored, the soft fabric is a recycled staple everyone needs to try for the season and Thomas Rhett took advantage of its popularity by sporting a black velvet suit jacket with his black-tie ensemble. Bonus points for taking the risk with those rad dress shoes, complete with velvet and a strap of gold. The true ‘star of the show’ right there.
Tim McGraw: Tim McGraw can do no wrong. Seriously, the country star stuck to his classic tuxedo look topped with a sheened black cowboy hat. Opting for the bowtie and black leather boots, McGraw has the signature style down to a tee and we’ll never get over how good he looks on every single red carpet he walks on.
Chris Lane: Just because the invitation says black-tie doesn’t mean you have to go back to basics in a simple tuxedo look. Chris Lane got jazzy with his forest green ASOS suit. Tying all of the risk-taking elements together from his polka-dot pocket square and his black velvet cigarette loafers, he nailed the definition of red carpet fashion on its head. Also, mad props to switching out a tie for that delicate gold chain. It’s all about the little details sometimes.
Dierks Bentley: Dolce & Gabbana did Dierks good. Such a handsome man in an unbelievably well-tailored suit could make anyone swoon. His wife is one lucky woman to be on Bentley’s arm as he absolutely captured what it means to be a CMA Award-winning artist hitting the carpet and showing off in style. (We also see that subtle, if not unintentional, nod to his album, Black, with the wearing of a black suit. Good one, pal.)
Dan Smyers of Dan + Shay: We’ll say this once and we’ll say it again—white dinner suits are the absolute end-all for men’s fashion at classy events. There’s no way to make this look wrong and Dan Smyers even added his own touch to the lapel with a tribal pattern lining the coat. There’s ‘nothin’ like you,’ Dan, and we appreciate your vintage take on this iconic fashion look.
Looks to Leave Behind
Gretchen Wilson: Sorry not sorry, but when the invitation says black-tie to pay tribute to artists of the past, you have to follow those guidelines. Gretchen Wilson looked as if she was showing up to any old house party. Maybe we should retract our statement that black never looks bad, because Wilson did not take the time to get dolled up for a honorary awards show.
Cassadee Pope: Sometimes, the dress and the hair and the everything just don’t go together. While Cassadee Pope is effortlessly gorgeous on her own, this black Marchesa tea-length number doesn’t suit her despite her edgier style. Plus, slicked-back hair is a hard beauty trend to hit perfectly and this time around, her short style just didn’t make the cut.
Martina McBride: You know when you look at a dress and just shrug because the dress is simply average? That’s essentially how we felt about Martina McBride’s black-and-silver dress. While it’s not exactly a hard pass from us, it’s not the right amount of flattering for the country superstar. There’s a number of other gowns out there that could have flattered her figure in exponentially better ways and we’re hoping the next carpet will be a massive improvement for McBride.
Chase Bryant: Never, ever, ever, ever mix green and neutral camouflage and maroon. Like, come on. When do those two things ever cross over and what would make it ok for Chase Bryant to pair his camo button-up with a shiny wine-colored bowtie? Just no. Rethink it through and start again.
Kacey Musgraves: We love Kacey Musgraves for being over-the-top, but this custom-made pale lilac Christian Siriano design is a little too much poof and not enough prim to suffice for her beauty look. Her makeup and hair looked like perfection, but in this case, it’s time for Musgraves to do less. We hate to say it’s a no from us on this red carpet look.
Whose outfits did you love on the carpet and which looks would you have ditched? Tweet us and let us know at @soundslikenash!
