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Country superstar Carrie Underwood has become a staple on the red carpet since bursting onto the scene after winning the 2005 season of "American Idol." But the 26-year-old Oklahoma native wasn't always at the top of the best dressed lists. Indeed, despite her booming voice and all-American beauty, the singer, whose new album is due in stores November 3, made her share of missteps before finding her signature look. Check out Carrie's most notable red carpet and performance looks, and see how in just four short years she transformed herself into one of entertainment's biggest style influencers. (Source: AP/Reuters)![Carrie Underwood Style]()
When Carrie first debuted on stage, her voice showed she had potential to be a star, but her style left something to be desired. The pale color of this sequin number (with glued-on flowers) was a poor style choice that washed the singing sensation out. Still the judges managed to see past the fashion disaster and see a star in the making. (Source: Reuters)![Carrie Underwood Style]()
As the "American Idol" competitions continued, Carrie's style gradually began to improve. But while the simple flannel shirt was cute enough, Carrie's overly-permed curls left something to be desired. (Source: Reuters)![Carrie Underwood Style]()
On the night of Carrie's big win, she took a chance with a bold animal-print dress with green and orange trimming. And we're sad to say, it was a big, tacky mess. But we weren't ready to give up on Carrie just yet. (Source: Reuters)![Carrie Underwood Style]()
At the 2005 CMA Awards, Carrie showed she had potential to become a fashionista when she chose a vampy red gown. The look was certainly a step in the right direction and for the first time, Carrie debuted the lovely golden locks that have become her trademark and gave her the look of a superstar in the making. (Source: Reuters)![Carrie Underwood Style]()
At a 2005 event for her label, Carrie once again made a misstep in an animal print dress. While the print was a better choice than her first foray into the wild, the calf-skimming length and bias cut made the dress appear dated and betrayed Carrie's newcomer status to fashion critics. (Source: Reuters)![Carrie Underwood Style]()
At the American Music Awards in 2007, Carrie showed a new-found love for retro styles with this white mini dress. (Source: Reuters)![Carrie Underwood Style]()
At the Movies Rock event at the Kodak Theatre in 2007, Carrie was the portrait of a glamorous style star in a daring red gown and soft-swept updo. (Source: Reuters)![Carrie Underwood Style]()
At this "American Idol" event in 2009, Carrie wore a fun pink tiered dress that showed she likes to have fun on the red carpet. (Source: Reuters)![Carrie Underwood Style]()
And despite her newfound style star status, Carrie still makes a misstep or two, as she did with this dress that resembled a shiny potato sack with a sleeve attached to her necklace. (Source: Reuters)![Carrie Underwood Style]()
At the 2009 Academy of Country Music Awards, Carrie looked her absolute best in a grecian-style gown, belted at the waist to show off her enviable figure. Couple with soft curls and minimal accessories, Carrie looked every bit the style star. (Source: Reuters)![Carrie Underwood Style]()
To accept one of her many awards in 2009, Carrie wore a short, mod-style dress that could have easily taken her back into ice-capades territory, but managed to stay cute on account of Carrie keeping the hair and accessories simple. (Source: Reuters)![Carrie Underwood Style]()
Carrie took a turn for the dramatic during a performance the Academy of Country Music Awards where she wore a wine-colored gown with a full shirt that appeared to be surrounding her backup band. The effect was dramatic and perfect for an on-stage performance and thankfully, a far cry from the hot-pants of days past. (Source: AP)![Carrie Underwood Style]()
At the 2008 Grammy Awards, Carrie finally nailed the print dress with this bohemian, floral gown. An unexpected but pleasant choice, Carrie's look made her the envy of fashionistas everywhere. (Source: Reuters)![Carrie Underwood Style]()
In one of her best looks, Carrie wore a shimmering gold gown to the 2009 Grammy Awards. The gold dress perfectly complimented her blonde locks and gave Carrie the look of a certified star. (Source: Reuters)![Carrie Underwood Style]()
But while her red carpet dress may have been a hit, Carrie's post-show look didn't quite achieve the same effect. The shapeless (potato sack?) lime green look with a giant flower suggested Underwood was going for a Carrie Bradshaw meets Kermit the Frog look which, tragically, she achieved. (Source: Reuters)![Carrie Underwood Style]()
For a casual look, Carrie showed she is a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl at this NHL game with friends. (Source: Reuters)![Carrie Underwood Style]()
At the 2009 Recording Academy Clive Davis pre-Grammy party in February, Carrie once-again showed off a love for the mod-styles of the 1960s with a sequin mini-dress with bell sleeves. (Source: Reuters)![Carrie Underwood Style]()
While Carrie has shown she knows how to do playful and glamorous simultaneously, her Achilles heel when it comes to fashion is a love affair with Ice Capades dresses. We wanted to like this orange mini-dress that Underwood donned at the People's Choice Awards in January, really we did. But aside from the pretty color, there is really nothing positive to say about it. It's just bad Carrie. (Source: Reuters)Star Style Evolution: Carrie Underwood
Watch Carrie Underwood go from big mall hair to big country style star.
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- Star Style Evolution: Carrie Underwood
