The Boldest and Blandest Looks From the ACM Awards

American Idol alum Barrett was one of the night’s hosts. Now, I love a pant under a dress, any day, any time. But a pant under a dress with a slit up to the tit? Truly cannot be beat.

Rounding out the hosting trio was Allen, who hit the red carpet wearing a mesh shirt and looking somewhat like a particularly edgy member of DeBarge.

The Bachelor alums showed up looking cute enough but oddly mismatched. Her in a cute, spangly, but kind of blah dress, and him in an ankle-bearing take on the Canadian tuxedo. The bucket hat and bolo tie can stay, but there’s something off with the jeans.

Ever since the days of Stacy and Clinton trying to badger every woman in sight into wearing A-line dress, I’ve had a soft spot for folks who, like McBryde, sport signature streaks of grey. While the cerulean is beautiful, the stringy shoulder ties are very ‘90s mallwear, and not in the good way.

Brittney Spencer has the voice of an angel, and at the ACMs, she wore the outfit of one too. It’s beautiful, extravagant, and, most importantly of all, not boring.

After first hitting the blue carpet in a simple mini dress, Underwood re-emerged in this confetti number. The fun-factor feels forced and it all around looks a bit like a mid-tier creation from a found fashion episode of an early season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Why is there so much grey showing through?

Here we enter the “boring couples ensembles” segment of the night. These married former Idol contestants played it safe and black.

So did these singer-songwriters.

Morris was up for Female Artist of the Year, but unfortunately she and her husband chose looks that live at the tragic intersection of “bad” and “dull,” in two queasy shades of brown.

Finally, we’re here: Our host Dolly hit the blue carpet in a perfectly tassel-y armored number...

...switched it up with a fun crushed mirror effect...

...showed off her simpler side in a lovely golden dress...

...and performed in some classic denim and a cute straw hat. Perfect lady, perfect outfits, no notes.