Cowboy hats, boots, and suede fringes: with her current Cowboy Carter Tour, Beyoncé explores the world of country in her own unique way. Her album and tour break the traditional boundaries of the genre, bring out forgotten stories and put the cowgirl aesthetic in the spotlight.
Released in 2024, Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter has been recognised as her best country album, winning the Grammy for Best Country Album in 2025 at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. It's also the first album by a Black woman to top the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
The story behind Cowboy Carter
The country music genre is no unknown territory for Beyoncé. In 2016, she released ‘Daddy Lessons’ on ‘Lemonade’ and appeared at the Country Music Association Awards in Nashville. Despite high ratings, she also received criticism: the song was rejected by the Grammy Country Committee.
That rejection did not stop her. She delved deeper into the genre's history and stumbled upon forgotten stories, including the role of African-American performers and cowboys.
During the 2024 Super Bowl, Beyoncé announced her new project Cowboy Carter, unveiling the singles 'Texas Hold 'Em' and '16 Carriages.' 'Texas Hold 'Em' quickly made history, becoming a global hit and making Beyoncé the first Black woman to top the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The milestone drew widespread praise, including a public congratulation from country legend Dolly Parton.
The album has 27 tracks, with contributions from Dolly Parton, Linda Martell, Willie Nelson, Miley Cyrus and Post Malone. It is full of references to Black Americana, Southern pride, and family history.
Cowboy Carter tour
Where Queen B previously flirted with country influences, she now takes the genre to her own level. Cowboy Carter is her most visual and bold project yet, merging music, fashion, and activism. The cowgirl aesthetic is a common thread throughout, from her styling to the shows.
During the performances, stadiums are transformed into modern rodeos. Black cowboys, cowgirls and forgotten stories take centre stage. Visuals, costumes, and setlist build on the album but take it to another level. Her daughters, Blue Ivy and Rumi, are also part of the show, with the artist integrating her family into her artistic narrative.
The Beyoncé Cowboy Carter tour is more than just music. It’s a statement where history, empowerment, and style come together. This blend ensures that the concert tour influences not only music but also fashion and streetwear.
Cowgirl aesthetic
The impact of the singer's tour is directly visible in the fashion world. What was once mainly associated with festivals such as Coachella has now fully broken through into streetwear and high fashion. Denim-on-denim in various washes dominates the street scene, while suede and leather jackets with fringes are re-emerging in collections.
Bandanas are worn as a top, belt, or hair accessory. Oversized vintage workwear gets new life combined with sexy silhouettes and futuristic details.
Cowboy hats and cowboy boots are appearing everywhere. Instead of glamorous details, they are combined with simple denim looks, oversized jackets, and vintage pieces. What is striking is how quickly this look has spilled over to clubs and street fashion. What once started as a festival trend is now part of a new generation's everyday style.
This updated cowgirl look is not a nostalgic nod, but a style statement that merges country, hip-hop, and high fashion.
Sneakers that match the mood
When I think of Cowboy Carter, I think of trainers with a distinctive shape or material. The adidas Taekwondo Mei ‘Cow Print’ has a minimalist design with sharp lines, reminiscent of the sleek silhouettes from the tour.
The Air Jordan 4 Retro in ‘Worn Blue Denim’ fits right in: chunky, pronounced, and finished in denim. Both sturdy, both with a distinct style, just like the tour itself.
Beyoncé and her Cowboy Carter era prove her influence on both music and fashion. Currently, the singer and daughter Blue Ivy are touring America, bringing her influences together on the big stage. Thanks to her, the cowgirl aesthetic is no longer a niche but a globally worn style.
The Cowboy Carter Tour is Beyoncé's tenth concert tour, in support of her 2024 album Cowboy Carter. The show mixes songs from the album with previous hits.
Cowboy Carter refers to Beyoncé's reinterpretation of the cowboy image, highlighting her often forgotten African-American history. ‘Carter’ is a nod to both her own surname and country music's influential Carter Family.
