Carrie Underwood sure has come a long way since her American Idol days. She’s no longer the wide-eyed fresh newcomer that we saw when she first shot to fame in 2005; she’s now a seasoned pro in the entertainment industry, accustomed to fame and aloof to the paparazzi.

Now I can’t decide if that’s a good thing or not, but what I’m 100% sure about is that wealth and fame has done wonders for Carrie Underwood’s style. While she started out wearing big gowns with even bigger hair, Carrie over the years gradually switched to a hipper and more modern look, more befitting the young and beautiful multi-awarded country singer.

Carrie Underwood displayed her honed sense of style when she went out to Beverly Hills, California with fiancé Mike Fisher on May 24. Yes, she’s just wearing a shirt and a pair of shorts here, but she accessorized her very casual clothes with a thousand-dollar bag, an almost 200-dollar pair of fringed gladiator sandals, and of course, her very expensive, very big engagement ring:

Carrie Underwood out and about in Beverly Hills on May 24, 2010

Grunge and glam, high end with low end, high-priced low-key – that’s the style of Hollywood and Carrie Underwood, who has got the look down pat, clearly shows that she’s been in the biz for quite some time.

Carrie Underwood’s fringed gladiator sandals are the Velvet Angels Pili Pili:

Velvet Angels Pili Pili

They’re $169.00 at Zappos.com.

Get Carrie Underwood’s dressed-down expensive look with the copper color of these sandals. If you want something that’s not as flashy as these metallic ones, they’re also available in black and in a matte berry color.

One celebrity I would like the press to pay a little more attention to would be Carrie Underwood. For some reason, this southern belle has managed to become one of the best dressed celebrities on the  red carpet. There is a quiet elegance about her which I am beginning to like, and she definitely has good taste when it comes to fashion.

She was seen joining the (2010) Grammy Awards after party (thrown by Clive Davis) wearing a really show-stopping short silver dress that had a lot going on to it.

(Photo care of Just Jared)

Carrie Underwood on the Grammy Awards after-party red carpet

She paired the outfit with an unusual set of silver gladiator sandals that had curved straps at the center instead of the usual T, and diagonal straps on the sides instead of the usual horizontal. The outfit was quite busy up close, but for some reason, it didn’t look overdone, nor did it look like she was trying too hard. In fact, she looked quite stunning in the whole attire.

All I can say is this girl definitely knows what style means.

Now going back to the sandal, this one is an interesting pair because it is different. The T-strap isn’t present in the shoe; in place are two curved straps that form circles at the center. The whole effect is definitely much sexier than wearing the usual gladiator sandals.

I found some good look-a-like options you might want to consider if you’re planning to buy a similar pair:

L.A.M.B Zen Sandal, US$301

Steve Madden Hitower, U$S109

MISS SIXTY Indigo Sandal, US$165