6 Of The Best-Dressed Celebs Over 40 At The 2026 ACM Awards

The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards took place on Sunday, May 17, 2026, and while the event was overflowing with well-dressed talent, a few of our favorite celebrities were absent from the ACM Awards red carpet. Past year staples like Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, and Reba McEntire (who co-hosted the ACMs together in 2019) were noticeably missing from the annual country music award show. But that didn't stop a handful of other fashionable celebrities from proving there's no age limit when it comes to landing on a list of the best red carpet looks from women over 40.

The Las Vegas event (where celebs have been known to wear some of their worst red carpet outfits) saw a range of different looks sashay in front of the step and repeat. But there was one style that truly ruled the roost: dark dresses with a twist. From Miranda Lambert's Western-inspired mini dress and cowboy boots combo to Lee Ann Womack's classy and sophisticated shiny gown, these over-40 fashionistas knocked it out of the park.

Lee Ann Womack — who was just three months shy of her 60th birthday at the ACM awards — looked especially youthful in her strapless, shiny gown with a thigh-high slit. The reflective material added a fun flair, elevating the dress for the country music red carpet (which is no stranger to sparkle and shine), keeping her aesthetic modern without looking tacky. The tailoring at the waist highlighted her enviable figure, too, and her understated shoes were the perfect choice, delivering a slight sparkle without overwhelming the dress.

Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild proved she has her finger on the fashion pulse by wearing one of 2026's hottest color trends from head to toe: burgundy. The shade looked gorgeous against her skin and dark hair, and was further complemented by her cool-toned jewelry. Her expertly tailored mini dress proved there's no reason to ditch short garments in our 50s and beyond, while her knee-high, shiny, pointed-toe boots provided a youthful, unexpected twist.

Karen Fairchild's Little Big Town bandmate Kimberly Schlapman also made the 2026 ACMs best-dressed list. Her glamorous gown proved black dresses don't have to be boring, as the unique neckline and sequin-embellished tiers on the skirt (which had a thigh-high slit) felt both fun and sophisticated — perfect for the award show. The "Better Man" singer pulled her hair back into a relaxed up-do to let her dress have its moment, which was another smart move to keep her look from feeling too busy.

Morgane Stapleton, who hit the red carpet with her husband Chris Stapleton, also showed us the right way to wear a balanced black dress on a red carpet. The column dress was incredibly chic and sophisticated, and much more minimalist than many other dresses we saw that evening. The large silk-edged frills over her shoulders and chest, and the deep plunge kept it from being too understated, while the singer-songwriter wore her blond hair straight and down, preventing the look from being too fussy.

Sure, on almost any other red carpet, Miranda Lambert's eagle and roses mini dress with red cowboy boots wouldn't have worked. At the ACMs, though? It worked like a charm (unlike some of Lambert's past inappropriate outfits), as it fit the country music theme and her own western aesthetic. The rhinestones added a little extra glam to the short 'fit, which was perfectly tailored to her curves, and she expertly balanced showing off her toned gams by covering her arms and opting for a more modest neckline.

Kimberly Perry of The Band Perry also showed the versatility of a black dress. The satin material made her dress feel expensive, and the pointed bodice over her chest provided some structure that felt both modern and unique. The star also seamlessly pulled off the gathered material over her hips, which helped to give her an hourglass silhouette. Perry kept her jewelry simple to keep her aesthetic chic and understated (she wore a single silver necklace), while her dark nail polish only added to the sophisticated vibe.