The Most Fierce and Bold Dresses Ever Worn At The ACM Awards

Published on August 16, 2023
Each year, country music is celebrated at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Not only is it a chance to give out awards to the best that the genre has to offer that year, it’s also a chance to see some gorgeous outfits worn by the stars. Of course, many opt for a classic look, but others take the opportunity to go bold and wear a daring outfit that stands out. Here are some of the most daring outfits worn throughout the years at the ACM Awards.

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood won American Idol and has been a boda fide country star ever since. She never misses a chance to show off her incredible legs just as she did at the 2020 awards with this shimmery sequin dress with its unique buckle design along the thigh high slit.

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood

Kelsea Ballerini

Kelsea Ballerini made the bold move of wearing a red dress on the red carpet. That’s why she went for it with this in your face dress that incorporates varied textures, patterns, and colors, all with a shiny finish. The draping gives it an elegant look, and she wears matching sequined boots to finish the look with a country twist.

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Kelsea Ballerini

Kelsea Ballerini

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Maren Morris

Maren Morris of The Highwomen wore this daring dress with a plunging neckline and with lime green embroidery. She rounded out the look with matching green heels, a thin gold belt, large hoop earrings, and a collection of bangles.

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Maren Morris

Maren Morris

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Miranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert rocks this bright highlighter lime green halter Alex Perry dress. The delicate halter neckline accentuates her strong shoulders. She accessorized with dangling earrings and a gorgeous clutch purse that is reminiscent of a potion bottle.

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Miranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert

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Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman, whose husband is country star Keith Urban, showed up at the 54th ACM Awards in this lovely Christopher Kane dress that featured delicate lace contrasted with chainlink armor-like panels. The large statement sleeves contrast the pluning neckline, and she accessorized with a heart necklace.

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Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman

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Kacey Musgraves

Kacey Musgraves rocked this pastel Christian Cowen power suit and left her shirt and bra at home, because why wear those when you can just use the jacket as your top? The statement sleeves fan out and match the flared bottoms perfectly.

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Kacey Musgraves

Kacey Musgraves

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Carrie Underwood, 2019

In 2019, Carrie Underwood showed up wearing this Nicolas Jebran dress that features an asymmetrical long sleeve and a double thigh high slit in order to show off her gorgeous gams. She accessorized with silver rings and strappy sandal heels.

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Carrie Underwood 2019

Carrie Underwood 2019

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Maren Morris, 2019

At the 2019 ACM Awards, Maren Morris showed up with this romantic lavender Christian Siriano dress. The silky dress features a dramatic scalloped ruffled top that makes us think of waves and seashells. She finished the look with silver heels.

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Maren Morris, 2019

Maren Morris, 2019

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Rebecca Romijn

At the 2018 ACM Awards, Rebecca Romijn showed up in this Uel Camilo dress that reminds us of a peacock’s plume. The dress certainly draws attention, and the sheer panels only increase the drama of this ensemble.

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Rebecca Romijn

Rebecca Romijn

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Kelsea Ballerini, 2018

Kelsea Ballerini showed up at the 2018 ACM Awards in white Aadnevik dress that’s both soft and feminine and bold and daring. The billowy skirt is contrasted with the corset top and sheer panels. Ballerini chose matching white strappy heels to go with the dress.

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Kelsea Ballerini, 2018

Kelsea Ballerini, 2018

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Nicole Kidman, 2018

Nicole Kidman chose this fitted Michael Korts gown for the 2018 ACM Awards. It’s open back gives it that daring touch, and the dress perfectly matches her icy blonde hair.

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Nicole Kidman, 2018

Nicole Kidman, 2018

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Miranda Lambert, 2018

In 2018, Miranda Lambert wore this beautiful George Chakra dress that has a sheer and geometric panel top with a flowy skirt. She wore simple jewelry and carried an eye-catching magenta clutch to accessorize.

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Miranda Lambert, 2018

Miranda Lambert, 2018

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Lindsey Vonn

Olympic ski star Lindsey Vonn stunned in this sunny yellow gown with a fitted, long sleeve mock neck top and large pillowy tulle skirt that balances out the look. She wore simple studded earrings and wore her hair in an elegant top knot.

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Lindsey Vonn

Lindsey Vonn

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Jennifer Nettles

Half of Sugarland Jennifer Nettles wore this velveteen tropical J. Mendel dress in its interesting pink color. The pattern on it is almost feather-like leaves.

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Jennifer Nettles

Jennifer Nettles

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Jana Kramer

Country star and actress Jana Kramer made an appearance on One Tree Hill. At the 2015 ACM Awards, Kramer wore a chevron patterned geometric dress with a stunning plunging neckline.

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Jana Kramer

Jana Kramer

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Savannah Chrisley

Savannah Chrisley’s dress was truly attention grabbing at the 2017 ACM Awards. The form fitted black dress was accented with geometric mesh paneling that truly showed off some skin. The rest of the dress is black velvet, which always means drama. This dress is almost a new rendition of Morticia Addams’ classic.

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Savannah Chrisley

Savannah Chrisley

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Julianne Hough

Dancer, actress, and country singer Julianne Hough wore this gorgeous backless peach Randi Rahm halter dress to the 2011 ACM Awards. The color complements her complexion and she chose to accessorize with a teal and gold cuff along with gold hoop earrings.

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Julianne Hough

Julianne Hough

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Carrie Underwood, 2016

Carrie Underwood went for a flapper-inspired Davidson Zanine ensemble for the 2016 ACM Awards. The intricate beading and scalloped design are truly eye-catching and are perfectly balanced with the sheer neckline.

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Carrie Underwood, 2016

Carrie Underwood, 2016

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Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift opted for this elegantly understated J. Mendel look of a cropped top with shoulder cutouts and long black skirt. The thigh high slit keeps the look young and interesting.

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Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift

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Shania Twain

Country icon Shania Twain stunned at the 2013 ACM Awards with these thigh high suede boots that she paired with a strapless loose fitted dress. She accessorized with gold hoops, a golden cuff, and a small clutch purse.

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Shania Twain

Shania Twain

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Nicole Kidman, 2016

Nicole Kidman was fearless at the 2016 ACM Awards with this Alexander McQueen dress that certainly turned heads. The little black dress featured an intricate sheer lace overlay with many details.

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Nicole Kidman, 2016

Nicole Kidman, 2016

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Miranda Lambert, 2014

Miranda Lambert wore this elegant Randi Rahm dress at the 2014 ACM Awards. The neutral color is form fitted with a bold plunging neckline that draws the eye in. She accessorized with delicate hoop earrings and a bronze clutch.

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Miranda Lambert, 2014

Miranda Lambert, 2014

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Sheryl Crow

Singer Sheryl Crow opted for this geometric patterned Christian Siriano dress for the 2014 ACM Awards. She wore chunky pyramid-shaped earrings and carried a simple clutch to accessorize.

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Sheryl Crow

Sheryl Crow

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Kimberly Schlapman

Kimberly Schlapman of Little Big Town wore this bright hot pink dress at the 2015 ACM Awards. The simple design allowed the bold color to truly stand out from the crowd. She carried a silver and black clutch.

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Kimberly Schlapman

Kimberly Schlapman

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Cassadee Pope

At the 2017 ACM Awards, Cassadee Pope showed up with this stunning and daring outfit with an almost bikini-like black top and bottom set with a beautiful sheer black overlay with intricate cherry blossom sequins throughout.

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Cassadee Pope

Cassadee Pope

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LeAnn Rimes

Giving us major groovy 1960’s vibes is this Stella McCartney ensemble that LeAnn Rimes wore to the 2012 ACM Awards. The circle geometric pattern is accompanied by a white mesh side panel. Rimes accessorized with a geometric clutch as well as tan platform heels.

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LeAnn Rimes

LeAnn Rimes

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Bebe Rexha

Bebeb Rexha does not hold back in this Yanina Couture dress with  its dramatic sheer ruffled top and fitted velvet bodice. The sheer long sleeves are adorned with tree branches.

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Bebe Rexha

Bebe Rexha

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Shakira

Shakira rocked the 2013 ACM Awards in with this turquoise Zuhair Murad dress that features dramatic cutouts along the shoulders and hips and almost looks like a butterfly design.

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Shakira

Shakira

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Danielle Peck

Danielle Peck wore this bright yellow form fitting dress with a mermaid ruffled tulle detail and accessorized with a triple diamond choker, giving us modern day Beauty and the Beast Belle vibes.

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Danielle Peck

Danielle Peck

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Julianne Hough, 2010

At the 2010 ACM Awards, Julianne Hough went all in with the classic “bump” hairstyle that was all the rage at the time. She wore this Basil Soda Couture dress with metallic details on the silky white corset top and accessorized with drop earrings.

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Julianne Hough, 2010

Julianne Hough, 2010

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Carrie Underwood, 2018

While performing at the 2018 ACM Awards, Carrie Underwood wore this beautiful mini dress with dazzling gemstones all over it with a beautiful flapper inspired hemline.

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Carrie Underwood, 2018

Carrie Underwood, 2018

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Eve

Rapper, actress, and singer Eve wore this chic Parabal Gurung dress that featured pink ruffled sleeves and collar, shoulder cutouts, and a beautiful and bold thigh high slit in the soft pink dress.

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Eve

Eve

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Kaley Cuoco

Actress Kaley Cuoco wore this beautiful geometric BCBG Maz Azria dress at the 2013 ACM Awards. She accessorized with matching geometric earrings, a simple black clutch, and wore her hair in a trendy pouf updo.

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Kaley Cuoco

Kaley Cuoco

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Carrie Underwood, 2017

Carrie Underwood didn’t hold back at the 2017 ACM Awards in this shiny metallic LaBourjoisie dress that’s contrasted with a soft peach tulle skirt and bedazzled gemstone feather designs.

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Carrie Underwood, 2017

Carrie Underwood, 2017

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Jennifer Nettles, 2012

Soul Miner’s Daughter and Sugarland singer Jennifer Nettles wore this bright Maz Azria Atelier coral dress to the 2012 ACM Awards. The geometric patterns and sheer panels are accented with a bright yellow belt that cinches in her waistline.

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Jennifer Nettles, 2012

Jennifer Nettles, 2012

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Katy Perry

Fully channeling Dolly Parton, Katy Perry wore this Jeremy Scott Couture metallic blue outfit decked out in cowboy inspired fringe, pink cow-hide cowboy boots and matching pink cropped top. Of course, she finished off the look with a cow-hide belt buckle.

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Katy Perry

Katy Perry

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Taylor Swift, 2012

Taylor Swift wore this understated J. Mendel dress to the 2012 ACM Awards. The Sabrina neckline is accented with golden wavy stripes across, and she accessorized with a delicate bracelet.

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Taylor Swift, 2012

Taylor Swift, 2012

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Nicole Kidman, 2011

At the 2011 ACM Awards, Nicole Kidman wore this silvery grey snakeskin L’Wren Scott dress that’s form fitting and accentuated by a black flurry cape sleeve. The mini dress also has a small slit up the side, showing off just a hint of leg.

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Nicole Kidman, 2011

Nicole Kidman, 2011

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Carrie Underwood, 2011

At the 2011 ACM Awards, Carrie Underwood wore this deep purple jewel-tone dress that accentuates her waist with gemstones and sequined flowers.

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Carrie Underwood, 2011

Carrie Underwood, 2011

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Taylor Swift, 2013

At the 2013 ACM Awards, Taylor Swift stunned with this flapper inspired Dolce & Gabbana dress that featured beaded details and lots of shimmer. She didn’t need to accessorize because that dress alone is enough to draw attention!

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Taylor Swift, 2013

Taylor Swift, 2013

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