The Fashion Fail Everyone Fell Victim To At The 2024 CMA Awards

Fashion icon Coco Chanel famously said, "Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take at least one thing off." Unfortunately, the disappointing red-carpet turnout at the 2024 Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, November 20, suggests that everyone took this rule a little too far. Even apart from the worst-dressed celebs at the 2024 CMAs — many of whom were guilty of playing it too safe — some usually fashion-forward stars missed the mark by under-accessorizing. For instance, Miranda Lambert's simple 'fit trampled the line between classic and boring.

The "Mama's Broken Heart" singer made a mystifyingly predictable fashion choice for the event, appearing in a figure-hugging, floor-length black gown. While certainly a timeless and flattering look, the gown's simple neckline and off-the-shoulder silhouette were begging for any hint of interest. In short, it was the perfect opportunity to style a statement necklace — an opportunity that Lambert squandered, even though it would have been an easy win to match her boho-adjacent turquoise earrings and bracelet stacks with an equally unique pendant.

Stranger still, Lambert was only one of many, many country stars who eschewed necklaces at the awards show. It was practically an epidemic of missing jewelry, leaving behind a mirroring epidemic of snooze-worthy necklines. Coco Chanel's one-less-item rule might work in many instances, but if we could go back in time, we'd beg CMA attendees to reach for at least one more item instead.

Did we miss a memo somewhere? Accessories, like all fashion, are a matter of trend and preference, but it seems like there was something in the water at the 2024 CMAs — an entire cavalcade of guests elected to leave their necklaces at home, even when wearing dresses that screamed out for an accent from one of fall 2024's hottest jewelry trends.

Appearing in a slightly avant-garde beaded and feathered denim dress, "Deeper Well" singer Kacey Musgraves may have feared overwhelming her look with detail. However, the low sweetheart neckline seemed to demand a necklace with its negative space, so her choice to go without left the outfit feeling incomplete. Meanwhile, Chris Stapleton's lovely wife (and fellow musician) Morgane Stapleton looked almost breathtaking in her black minidress, which featured an elegant statement train — except that she, too, left her deep, strapless neckline inexplicably plain. And setting aside the borderline too-poofy organza hem of Megan Moroney's bright-blue Cristian Siriano mermaid gown, its neckline was beyond plain. We usually love the sleek lines of Siriano's work, and can't help but wonder whether the designer had envisioned Moroney's unadorned décolletage or had expected an elegant necklace to set off the dress.

We'll give a pass to stars who opted for chic, high-necked dresses, such as "You Look Like You Love Me" singer Ella Langley and "Your Place" performer Ashley Cooke. We'll also let Ashley McBryde get away with it, as the tasteful V-neck of her maroon gown framed her sternum tattoo oh-so perfectly. But to all the other stars who chose gaping, empty necklines for one of the biggest nights in country music, we're left with only one question: Why?