There was once a simpler, gentler and more sartorially restrained time when one would attend a concert in little more than a vaguely clean t-shirt and the sort of ripped jeans that implied a strong relationship with LimeWire.
Those days are firmly behind us. We now live in the age of method dressing: a cultural phenomenon wherein one’s outfit is not merely clothing, but character. Nowhere is this delightful trend set to be more thrillingly alive than on the rhinestone-adorned trail Beyoncé is blazing with her much-anticipated Cowboy Carter tour.
To be clear, this isn’t just fancy dress with a Spotify soundtrack. This is fashion with a southern twang, a rhinestone-studded homage to Americana filtered through the lens of high style. Think corseted denim, whip-smart tailoring, silk neckerchiefs, and boots made for walking. It’s western wear, yes, but with couture ambition and TikTok-savvy DIY execution.
The rise of method dressing at concerts can be traced back to a perfect storm of pandemic-era outfit withdrawal, TikTok-fuelled peacocking (I bet I can rhinestone a pair of knee-highs better than you) and the growing sense that live music is not just a night out, but a cultural event.
And with Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé has given her listeners more than just an album. She’s offered an aesthetic invitation. The music is a love letter to country roots and Black southern identity, and the fashion is following suit — with suede fringing, pearl snaps, and cowboy hats that wouldn’t look out of place on a runway.
But above all, it’s fun. Unapologetically so. Method dressing lets us become the world we’re stepping into, if only for a night. If Beyoncé is on stage conjuring her country fantasy, why wouldn’t you want to show up looking like the main character?
Shine your boots, press your denim, and saddle up. The rodeo is calling. We’ve curated an edit of the best outfits and pieces to wear for the Cowboy Carter tour.
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Tops
EstelleRoseCustom “Been C***try” Tank Top
Sassy, subversive and undeniably on-theme, this handmade tank lets everyone know you’ve been about this country life. Pair with low-rise denim and knee-high boots.
Buy now £27.01, Etsy
Peppermayo Exclusive - Palmer Ruffle Bustier Top - Red Gingham
With flouncy ruffles and sweetheart aesthetics, this gingham bustier turns small-town charm into main-stage energy.
Buy now £45.00, Peppermayo
Calvin Klein Denim Halter Neck Top
Clean lines and minimal structure give this denim halter a sculptural feel, delivering a quietly confident take on rodeo dressing that feels elevated, cool, and completely timeless.
Buy now £85.00, Calvin Klein
JW Pei Adeline Asymmetric Fringe Sueded Top
With a rich texture and asymmetric movement, this suede fringe top brings a sense of drama and depth, offering a refined but playful nod to traditional Western silhouettes.
Buy now £100.00, JW Pei
Wrangler Zip-Front Vest
Classic Americana reworked for the fashion set. This fitted zip vest says utility but make it hot – style solo or layer over a bandana-print bralette.
Buy now £70.00, Wrangler
& Other Stories Fringed Macramé Halterneck Top
A bohemian dream gone honky-tonk, this halter brings artisanal vibes to the frontier. Let the fringe do the talking, and the dancing.
Buy now £97.00, & Other Stories
Reformation Sora Linen Dress
For the Beyoncé fan who’s more prairie belle than cowpoke. Flowy, romantic and cut to flatter, this linen dress is perfect for breezing through the crowd in angelic style.
Buy now £248.00, Reformation
NastyGal Hand Embellished Flower Vest
The styling potential for this black waistcoat with hand-embellished sparkly detailing is endless. The NastyGal piece can be worn with flared trousers for full Western appeal, a floaty skirt for boho vibes or knee-length shorts to tap into this season’s most popular summer look.
Buy now, NastyGal
Bottoms
Abercrombie Low Rise Belted Denim Mini Skort
Cut to flatter and built to move, this low-rise belted skort channels early-2000s nostalgia through a distinctly Western lens, making it the perfect blend of playful and practical for dancing the night away.
Buy now £60.00, A&F
Guess USA Denim Chaps Pant
With bold cut-outs and undeniable stage presence, these denim chaps offer a provocative take on classic rodeo wear, transforming utilitarian roots into a fearless, fashion-forward statement piece.
Buy now £265.00, Guess USA
Jean Paul Gaultier x KNWLS low-rise denim corset pants
Structured, sultry, and sculpted to perfection. These corset-detail trousers are a luxe nod to the Wild West. Plus, one of the designers shares a maiden name with our Queen B. It’s written in the stars.
Buy now £278.00, MyTheresa
Free People Understated Leather Paris Texas Skirt Belt
Equal parts accessory and moment, this leather skirt belt transforms anything it touches. Layer over a dress, jeans, or your best bloomers.
Buy now £200.00, Free People
Free People Camille Ruffle Shorts
Delicately layered with soft ruffles and a fluttery hem, these ivory shorts bring a touch of balletcore to the rodeo.
Buy now £118.00, Free People
Jaded LDN Vaca Whipstitch Faux Leather Mini Shorts in Brown
These whipstitched faux leather shorts bring texture and attitude, ideal for matching with fringe tops and stompy boots.
Buy now £55.00, Jaded LDN
Shoes and Accessories
Easy Tiger Black Stargazer Sequin Cowboy Hat
A disco ball and a cowboy hat had a love child – and you’re wearing it. All-over black sequins make this the crown jewel of your concert fit.
Buy now £140.00, Easy Tiger
“Bang!” Fan
Fold, flick and snap your way into the spotlight. This graphic fan is part prop, part punchline and entirely ideal for cooling down post-"Texas Hold 'Em".
Buy now £15.44, Etsy
Matisse Willa Western Boots
Featuring classic Western lines and imbued with walk-all-night comfort, these boots are surprisingly value for money and worth the investment in the long haul. A modern cowgirl staple that goes with everything from miniskirts to full-blown prairie gowns. They’re also available in tan/turquoise or a chocolate brown and white hue.
Buy now £78.00, Free People
Levi’s Denim Rodeo Hat
Levi’s puts a contemporary spin on classic Western styling with this denim rodeo hat, offering a subtly rebellious alternative to the traditional Stetson that feels effortlessly cool without trying too hard.
Buy now £55.00, Levi’s
HAISWET Leather Western Turquoise Stone Bolo Tie Silver Tone
The finishing touch your neckline didn’t know it needed. Silver-toned and turquoise-set, this bolo tie is old-school cool for a new-era cowgirl.
Buy now £14.99, Amazon
At Home with Ray Polka Bandana In Orangeade
One glance at this bandana-style neck scarf by At Home with Ray and we feel like we’re somewhere in Southern California. Available in three summer-themed palettes, this lightweight cotton-silk blend will keep you cool while your neck is protected from the harsh summer sun.
Buy now £58.00, Wolf & Badger
