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Carrie Underwood kicked off tonight’s CMA Awards red carpet in a glittering Theia siren gown that shouted sex appeal. But the show’s host was quick to reveal, “I’m not going to keep this one on all night!” She explained, “I’m supposed to have nine [costume changes] during the show.” And did she ever! From the frothy green Ina Soltani stunner to silver sequined short-shorts ensemble by Roberto de Villacis, a ruffled-up orange Ina Soltani stunner and purple floral embroidered confection, the looks just kept on coming all evening long. Tell us: Which of our favorite five of her looks is your favorite of the night?

Courtesy Lucky

Ever wonder if stars think about their onstage costumes differently than their red carpet fashion? Carrie Underwood certainly does. “I feel like I can wear anything when I’m onstage,” the December cover girl tells Lucky. And that doesn’t just include clothes. Carrie admits, “I love playing around with makeup–it’s trial and error, mostly error.” So where does this fearless fashion philosophy come from? Perhaps from Carrie’s country style icon Dolly Parton. “I would never attempt to pull off Dolly’s wardrobe, but her confidence is enviable. She always makes it work!” But she does like to bring her love of country into her wardrobe, explaining “I like pairing cowboy boots with unexpected things, like cute dresses. You can be ‘country’ and still be stylish–I would wear them regardless of what kind of music I sang.” And while Carrie loves the glitz and the glam onstage, “in my downtime, nothing beats a great pair of sweats.” Her sweats of choice? “Sweatpants from Victoria’s Secret Pink are my main closet staple–they’re affordable, and they make nine-hour bus rides bearable.” To read more on Carrie’s fashion philosophy and shop her wardrobe must-haves, pick up the December issue of Lucky, on newsstands November 4, and visit luckymag.com.

CLICK THROUGH TO SEE CARRIE’S LUCKY COVER AND ANOTHER PHOTO FROM HER SHOOT

Courtesy Lucky

Courtesy Lucky

Since her American Idol days, Carrie Underwood has been topping Best Dressed lists for her sweet and classic style. And now, just two weeks before she takse the stage to host the 43rd Annual CMA Awards on November 11, country’s favorite fashionista sat down with GACTV.com to reveal her wardrobe secrets. From her go-to-pair of pumps to why everyone woman should own a pair of Spanx, watch Carrie discuss her getting-dressed must-haves.

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American Idol’s season 4 champ Carrie Underwood returned to her alma mater Wednesday to perform her updated version of Randy Travis’s country classic “I Told You So” (with the musician himself). Carrie also updated her look, sporting a new faux bob with her frock by Tracy Reese dress. While it may have looked like Carrie had cut her hair, her rep confirms that her still-long blonde locks were merely pinned up. And she topped it all off with a big black bow! Tell us: What do you think of Carrie’s faux bob? Would you wear it? Vote in our poll below!

Courtesy Badgley Mischka

It’s been 20 years since star-loved design house Badgley Mischka launched their brand. And founders Mark Badgley and James Mischka are celebrating the anniversary with an aptly star-studded ad campaign, shot by legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz. Images won’t appear in magazines until April, but we’re bringing you a sneak peek at the campaign, which gathers together Eva Longoria Parker, Carrie Underwood, Brooke Shields, Lauren Hutton and Anjelica Huston. So how do the women feel about taking part in the celebration? Underwood sums it up; “I love Badgley Mischka for not only making the most beautiful gowns,” she says in a statement, “but also for bringing together such strong, amazing women to celebrate 20 years of glamour and fashion. I am thrilled to be part of their special anniversary.” Tell us: What do you think of the campaign?

Chris Pizzello/AP; Kevin Mazur/WireImage(2)

Carrie Underwood had not one, but three dazzling dresses at the Movie Rocks event in Los Angeles on Sunday night. She hit the red carpet in a plunging crimson Naeem Khan gown, changed into a lavish Tadashi Shoji black gown for her rendition of “The Sound of Music,” and then switched it up one more time to a glittering gold Dolce Jovani minidress to present. We love that Carrie branched out and tried new colors and silhouettes at the fashionable event, but we can’t decide which of the three dresses we like best! Tell us: Which of Carrie’s three dresses do you like best? Her red dress, black gown or gold minidress?

Lucas Jackson/Reuters/Landov; Rick Diamond/WireImage

Carrie Underwood always dazzles on stage, but the former American Idol took things to a whole new level at Wednesday night’s Country Music Awards. The two-time award winner performed her new single, “So Small”, wearing a stunning yellow chiffon Escada dress ornamented at the hip with twin Johnathon Arndt imperial jadeite and diamond butterfly pins worth over six million dollars! And her bling binge didn’t end there. She walked the red carpet dripping in jewels that included a watch valued at nearly $300,000, 5.78 ct. princess cut diamond earrings valued at $52,000, and a rose cut diamond ring set valued at $68,000. In total, the gorgeous star showed off more than $7 million worth jewels by the end of the evening. Nothing so small about that!

TRick Diamond/WireImage

Keri Russell and Reese Witherspoon aren’t the only stars hitting our favorite mall stores — Carrie Underwood follows in their thrifty lead by pairing her Cottonade ruffled coat and Max Azria Atelier dress with these sky-high patent heels from Aldo. Get Carrie’s Aldo “Nicoa” Mary Janes for $120, at aldoshoes.com. And try this Kimchi & Blue Ruffle Collar Coat, $140, urbanoutfitters.com for a sweetly priced alternative to Carrie’s designer coat.

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

The fluffy little Care Bears are growing up! They turn 25 this year and to celebrate the release of the all new adventure Oopsy Does It!, celebrities like Carried Underwood and Jamie Pressley have customized new loveable bears which will be auctioned off to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Through November 21st, you can bid on 25 original celebrity-designed Care Bears adorned with authentic Swarovski crystals on charitybuzz.com. Our favorite? This Bling Bear designed by Carrie Underwood, who says “Bling bear was born on my album release day in New York City. She represents everything that sparkles and shines.” Check out all the other cute bears and don’t forget to bid!

Turgeon/Rocke//INF; INF

Carrie Underwood has been hanging around New York City to promote her new album Carnival Ride — and catch up with her new friend Chase Crawford. The country music superstar has been hitting the streets in cozy sweater dresses and a fab black and white BCBG bag — first donning an Ella Moss striped girly frock just to change into leggings and a cable knit grey number, from Nashville boutique Hud Luxe, for a night out on the town. We found Carrie’s Ella Moss sweater dress, but her cute grey one is currently sold out–don’t fear, we have some more affordable options for you to get the same loook. Now if only we could give you Chance Crawford, too!

Get Carrie’s Sweaters!
For Real:
Ella Moss Aspen Striped Sweater Dress, $275, shopbop.com

For a Steal:
Striped sweater dress, $49, asos.com

Striped metalic sweater, $20, forever21.com

Kimchi & Blue Popcorn Sweater, $88, urbanoutfitters.com

Kensie Girl Cable Sweater Dress, $78, macys.com

Get Carrie’s Bag!
BCBG Max Azria black and white “Signature” quilted handbag is available in BCBG stores, call 888-636-BCBG to order. If you don’t want to buy, you can try it for just $30 a week, at bagborrowsteal.com. Buy it in black, $498, at bcbg.com or try this smaller patent version, $298, bcbg.com.

We’ve seen it before with Carrie Underwood — she’s the picture of innocence on the red carpet only to reveal a sexier side onstage. And last night’s CMT awards (where the singer won three awards) was no exception. Carrie told PEOPLE that “I just wanted something different, just something sweet” of her ’50s-style Badgley Mischka dress and nude Christian Louboutin heels that she arrived in. But her onstage look was anything but sweet, with silver hot-pants showing off her toned legs, a keyhole top, armful of bangles and legwarmers over stilettos. We want to know which look you prefer! Tell us: What’s Carrie’s best look? Sweetly retro or rock n’ roll sexy?

Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic; Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic

Carrie Underwood is the ultimate all-American girl, so what better for the nominee to wear to the Grammys than a great American designer? We know that Carrie has great legs and a taste for the feminine, so this nude J. Mendel dress would be perfect for her. Hmm, we like the idea of Carrie in a pale tone, so what about a floaty Jason Wu frock, a gilded Bill Blass mini or this goddess-like Michael Kors dress? Or go full tilt the opposite direction and wear a bold citrus Diane von Furstenberg stunner or a trendy cobalt sheath from Oscar de la Renta. We have just one thing to ask of the singer — Carrie, no more shorts/ballgown combos please. Tell us: What do you think Carrie Underwood should wear to the Grammys?

For all the award show gossip, check in with our Red Carpet Confidential blog.

Photo: russell einhorn/splash news; thomas concordia/wireimage

Carrie Underwood may have established herself as a singer, but her image seems to still be in flux. The former Idol hit the red carpet at the American Music Awards last night in a super-sweet, ivory floral-appliqué Max Azria Atelier dress. But during the show (where she won Best New Breakthrough Artist), she performed in a hotpants/bustier ballgown combo that was oddly reminiscent of Demi Moore’s infamous Oscar outfit from a few years back. We’re all for trying out new looks onstage — if you can’t experiment with costumes onstage, where can you? — but we think she looks more at ease and natural in her demure red-carpet look. When you have a voice like that, why try so hard? Tell us: What do you think of her two looks? Do you like Carrie better when she’s naughty or nice?

Photo: Sara De Boer/Retna; Ethan Miller/Getty