What To Wear To CMA Fest

Make a statement in Music City!

By

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

May 31, 2023

at

10:49 am

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Photos Courtesy Pink Lily

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Festival season is in full swing, and it’s no secret that country music fans are eagerly anticipating one of the most exciting events of the year: CMA Fest! 

This year’s festival is a special one as it’s the 50th Anniversary. Thousands of fans will flock to Nashville within the next week to celebrate with country music’s biggest stars and hottest newcomers. 

The star-studded lineup for the nightly shows at Nissan Stadium includes artists such as Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Jordan Davis, HARDY, Tyler Hubbard, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Ashley McBryde, Tim McGraw, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, Keith Urban, and Lainey Wilson. 

In addition to the nightly concerts, the festival will feature hundreds of other artists performing at various stages around Downtown Nashville, including free daytime performances at the Chevy Riverfront Stage, the Dr. Pepper AMP Stage, the Chevy Vibes Stage, and more. 

Plus, several artists will take the stage at Acme Feed & Seed for Sony Music Nashville LIVE! This FREE event will include performances from Sony Music Nashville artists, photo experiences, and more. Click HERE for details. 

With preparations for CMA Fest in full swing, one of the biggest challenges attendees face is what to wear. Here are a few ideas for dressing the part and making a statement at CMA Fest with pieces from Pink Lily, Ariat, and Daniel X Diamond.

Rust Maxi Dress; Photo Courtesy Pink Lily
Rust Maxi Dress; Photo Courtesy Pink Lily

Boho Babe

CMA Fest is the perfect occasion to embrace bohemian vibes. Ladies can opt for a breezy maxi dress or a flowy skirt and pair it with a crop top and a wide-brimmed hat. Then, layer on some fringe accessories, like a crossbody bag or statement earrings, to add an extra touch of boho chic.

Black Floral Maxi Dress

Teal Halter Maxi Dress

Rust Maxi Dress

Wide Brim Fedora Hat

Darlin Western Boot

Howdy Smiley Face Soft Cream Graphic Tee; Photo Courtesy Pink Lily
Howdy Smiley Face Soft Cream Graphic Tee; Photo Courtesy Pink Lily

Graphic Gal

A graphic tee is an essential look for CMA Fest. It’s cute, comfortable, and best of all, practical. Pair one of these tees with cut-off denim shorts or a skirt, and you’ll be set! 

Cowboy Take Me Away Cream Graphic Tee

Howdy Smiley Face Soft Cream Graphic Tee

Raised On 90s Country Cream Graphic Tee

Distressed Denim Shorts

Black Paperbag Waist Cotton Blend Shorts

Beige Skort

Tiered Black Denim Skirt

Black Cowboy Hat

Dixon Western Boot

Terracotta Printed Mini Dress; Photo via Pink Lily
Terracotta Printed Mini Dress; Photo via Pink Lily

Classic Cowgirl

To achieve this look, opt for a flowy sundress with a vintage-inspired floral pattern or a flirty denim skirt paired with a cowgirl hat. Don’t forget the comfortable cowboy boots—a staple that not only looks stylish but also provides comfort for a day of dancing and walking. 

Terracotta Printed Mini Dress

Brown Paisley Patchwork Mini Dress

Printed Babydoll Mini Dress

Camel Wide Brim Fedora Hat

Belinda StretchFit Western Boot

Light wash Diamond Fringe Denim Shorts; Photo Courtesy Pink Lily
Light wash Diamond Fringe Denim Shorts; Photo Courtesy Pink Lily

Denim Darling

Carrie Underwood started the Denim & Rhinestones trend last summer and it continues to be a hit! We have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot of these looks at CMA Fest.

Light Wash Diamond Fringe Denim Shorts

Blue Chambray Jumper Dress

Denim Zip-Up Romper

Denim Mini Dress

Ivory Rhinestone Studded Star Cowboy Hat

Glitter Ombré Western Boot by Daniel X Diamond

The most important thing to remember is to dress comfortably. You’ll be doing a lot of walking at CMA Fest and at times, it can get HOT.

If you’re wondering what else to pack, check out THIS LIST for additional tips on what to bring in your festival bag.

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Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.