Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” Tour: Western Glamour & Big Hair
Beyoncé has officially gone country - and she’s doing it in true Queen Bey fashion. Her much-hyped Cowboy Carter Tour is a 32-city stadium spectacle that fuses Wild West charm with Beyoncé’s signature high-octane glamour (essence.com). This tour accompanies her Cowboy Carter album (the second act of the Renaissance era) which swept the 2025 Grammys - even snagging Album of the Year and making Beyoncé the first Black woman ever to win Best Country Album (essence.com). From rhinestone-studded cowgirl couture to Texas-sized hairdos that channel Dolly Parton, the tour’s style is already sparking major trends. Here’s a deep dive into the tour highlights, fashion and hair themes, and how you can steal the looks for yourself.
Image Reference: Beyoncé during a Cowboy Carter album performance wearing a big white cowboy hat, a bedazzled white cowbody-esque outfit and ultra long, curly locks (essence.com).
Yeehaw Energy: Tour Highlights and Themes
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter era is all about blending country-western aesthetics with her own empowering twist. The album itself is country-themed (or as some say, “not a country album - it’s a Beyoncé album” (byrdie.com), bridging genres from R&B to honky-tonk. Lyrically and visually, she pays homage to her Texas roots - think references to cowboy boots, line dancing, and even a song named “Levii’s Jeans” celebrating denim culture (refinery29.com). One track is a cover of Dolly Parton’s classic “Jolene” and another is literally titled “Dolly P.,” nodding to the country icon (byrdie.com). The overarching theme is a celebration of southern culture through a Black feminist lens, reclaiming images like rodeo queens and cowboy hats in a way only Beyoncé can.
One major highlight came even before the tour kicked off: Beyoncé’s show-stopping “Beyoncé Bowl” halftime performance on Christmas Day 2024 gave fans a taste of what was to come (refinery29.com). In that televised NFL halftime show (cleverly nicknamed the Beyoncé Bowl), the superstar rode into Houston’s NRG Stadium on a white horse amid desert scenery, belting out new songs with a foot-stomping, line-dance extravaganza vibe (refinery29.com). The stadium erupted as she pulled off a dramatic feathered coat reveal, unveiling a custom all-white Western outfit dripping in crystals. She wore a rhinestone-encrusted bodysuit inspired by traditional cowboy shirts, complete with matching fringed chaps and a massive belt buckle, topped with a white wide-brim hat (refinery29.com). Surprise guests joined the hoedown: her daughter Blue Ivy danced in white fringe, and singer Post Malone showed up in a white blazer and jeans for their country-rock duet “Levii’s Jeans” (marieclaire.com). Even a quartet of rising country artists harmonized with Bey, all decked in white cowboy hats and bedazzled outfits (marieclaire.com). This spectacle - part rodeo, part pop concert - set the tone for the Cowboy Carter Tour’s blend of country tradition with modern glam.
The tour officially kicked off in Los Angeles today, on April 28, 2025 (people.com). Beyoncé has hinted at patriotic rodeo imagery - on the album cover, she wears a glittering red, white, and blue beauty-queen sash across her chest while astride a galloping horse, evoking a rodeo queen carrying the American flag (refinery29.com). It’s a bold visual reclaiming of Americana. Critically acclaimed and already a cultural phenomenon, Cowboy Carter has been praised for bringing country music to new audiences (instagram.com). In Beyoncé’s hands, “cowboy couture” becomes a vehicle for empowerment: she’s proudly inserting herself (and by extension, Black women) into a genre and aesthetic from which they’ve been historically underrepresented. As one fashion writer put it, Beyoncé is pursuing “high-fashion rodeo-chic” and making the cowboy hat her trademark accessory (vogue.com). In short, the tour’s theme can be summed up as Western-inspired freedom and glamour, with Beyoncé inviting everyone to join the ride.
Image Reference: Beyoncé wearing a signature cowboy hat during her Cowboy Carter era, and long, icey blonde locks (vogue.com).
Cowgirl Couture: Beyoncé’s Western Fashion Trends
When it comes to fashion, no one can touch Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter style (vogue.com). She has embraced “cowboy-core” fashion to the fullest, seamlessly mixing classic Western wear with high-fashion luxe. The result is a treasure trove of trends that fans are racing to emulate. Here are some of the key style elements dominating the tour’s look:
Statement Cowboy Hats: The cowboy hat is THE defining accessory of this era. Beyoncé has been sporting wide-brimmed hats in every flavor - from classic white to embellished, denim, furry, metallic gold, and bold neon versions (refinery29.com). Photos from tour promos show her in an extra-large white hat (practically ten-gallon size) and others studded with crystals. The vibe is “go big or go home.” Fans attending the shows are following suit by grabbing their own cowboy hats (often white, to pay homage to the album cover) and decorating them with rhinestones. Just remember concert etiquette: an oversized hat looks fab in selfies, but kindly remove it during the show so it doesn’t block anyone’s view (refinery29.com)!
Denim on Denim: Beyoncé’s love affair with denim is real. In lyrics she even gives us the dress code: “denim on denim on denim on denim” - a line she’s taken literally with a head-to-toe denim ensemble in collaboration with Levi’s (refinery29.com). We’ve seen her rock Y/Project’s viral cut-out jeans with a cropped Marine Serre denim jacket (elle.com and vogue.com), and even a floor-length denim duster coat with faux-fur trim by LaQuan Smith. The Canadian tuxedo (denim jacket + jeans) is a cornerstone of Cowboy Carter fashion, though of course Beyoncé glams it up with crystal embellishments and designer fits. This tour is reviving early 2000s denim mania, so don’t be afraid to pile on the jeans - mix light and dark washes, or even try a denim cowboy hat or boots for extra flair (refinery29.com).
Image Reference: Beyoncé wearing denim on denim on denim during her Cowboy Carter era, with long, wavy platinum ice hair (refinery29.com).
Rhinestone and Fringe Glam: True to rodeo fashion, sparkle is everywhere. From that blinding all-white halftime outfit to other tour costumes, Beyoncé is “dripping in gems” (yahoo.com). Her Western looks often feature intricate crystal patterns, whether on a bodysuit, a fringe leather jacket, or even the cowboy hats themselves. Fringe is another must: she’s worn chaps and jackets with long swingy fringe that moves dramatically as she dances. One of her Grammy red-carpet looks for this era was a custom gold gown (by Schiaparelli) covered in metallic shine - a nod that even off-stage she’s carrying the Cowboy Carter sparkle with her (elle.com). To emulate this, fans are adding rhinestone fringe to denim shorts, bedazzling their boots, and opting for sequin Western-style shirts. Blinged-out cowgirl is the dress code: if it shimmers or sways, it fits right in.
Boots Made for Dancing: No cowboy-inspired look is complete without the boots. Beyoncé’s footwear on tour includes everything from classic cowboy boots to crystal-studded knee-highs. During the halftime show, she wore white Western boots by Jeffrey Campbell to match her outfit (marieclaire.com). In another appearance, she donned thigh-high denim boots to complement a denim hot-pants ensemble (vogue.com). The key trend is Western boots with a twist - be it a funky color, embellishment, or stiletto heel. Fashion magazines have noted that Beyoncé even pairs boots with couture pieces, proving they can be dressed up or down (vogue.com). For concert-goers, comfy boots are a smart choice for dancing all night, and this tour has inspired a run on cowboy boots in stores. Pair them with shorts, dresses, or jeans - they instantly add that Cowboy Carter attitude.
Pageant Queen Flair: One unique aesthetic Beyoncé has woven into this theme is the beauty pageant imagery. She famously took the stage (and her album cover) wearing a crystal-studded “Cowboy Carter” sash across her outfit, in the style of Miss Texas or a rodeo queen (marieclaire.com and refinery29.com). Her backup dancers at the Beyoncé Bowl all wore their own sparkly sashes emblazoned with playful titles (refinery29.com). It’s a fabulous blend of Southern pageantry and camp. We anticipate fans will DIY their own sashes (since the official ones on her site sold out in a flash (refinery29.com) - a “Miss Texas Hold ‘Em” sash, perhaps, referencing one of her new songs. This pageant touch, combined with patriotic colors, shows Beyoncé embracing over-the-top Americana. It’s all done with a wink and plenty of pride. Don’t be surprised to see concert crowds full of tiaras, sashes, and even glittery American flag motifs, as the BeyHive celebrates this cowgirl-meets-queen look.
All in all, Beyoncé’s tour wardrobe is a masterclass in “rodeo chic.” She’s proving that cowboy fashion can be both tough and ultra-feminine. One moment she’s in black leather and studs; the next, she’s in head-to-toe white crystals or gold lamé. But the looks all tie together through Western accents that make them fun and recognizable. Fashion journalists have noted how she’s seamlessly incorporated luxury designers into this theme - e.g. vintage Versace leather sets and Ferragamo tailored suits, all crowned with her trademark cowboy hat (vogue.com). The takeaway for fans is that Cowboy Carter style is about fearless self-expression: mix your edgy and your glam, and don’t skimp on the accessories. As Beyoncé herself shows, you truly can go from the ranch to the runway.
Big Hair, Don’t Care: Hair Styling Trends From the Tour
Perhaps the most show-stopping aspect of Beyoncé’s look this era is the hair - it’s bigger, bolder, and blonder than ever. In fact, hair has become a storytelling device in the Cowboy Carter era, with Beyoncé using different hairstyles to embody the theme of each moment (byrdie.com). The undisputed star is her platinum mane, a dramatic departure from the darker tones she’s worn in the past. This multidimensional “ivory blonde” color, created with help from her longtime colorist Rita Hazan, strikes a balance of icy and warm tones for a striking yet natural effect (manestory.com). It’s a high-maintenance shade (she reportedly took five years to perfect it during album production!), but it defines the Cowboy Carter aesthetic.
Volume is the name of the game. Beyoncé’s hair during this tour can best be described as Texas-big and Texan-proud. As one Allure writer quipped, she “…turned the volume to 100…” and gave us the “…signature look of the Lonestar State” with sky-high roots and va-va-voom body (allure.com). In many promotional shots, she’s wearing her platinum locks in big, full curls with tons of bombshell bounce, reminiscent of old-school beauty pageant hair (allure.com). (If you’re picturing Dolly Parton’s iconic ‘60s curls or a Miss Texas winner’s coif, you’re spot on.) In fact, Beyoncé isn’t shy about channeling Dolly - she even unveiled a towering bouffant updo in one recent look, adding a good six inches of height via teased blonde curls in true Dolly fashion (byrdie.com). Paired with powder-blue eyeshadow and a sharp red manicure, that bouffant made fans (and Dolly herself) swoon, especially since Beyoncé actually covers Parton’s song on the album (byrdie.com). It’s a playful homage to country’s big-hair queen, done with a modern Beyoncé twist.
Image Reference: Beyoncé isn’t afraid to go big with her hair this era. In these images, she’s seen in a glamorous updo of voluminous blonde hair - a look that channels classic Texas pageant beauty and would make Dolly Parton proud (allure.com and byrdie.com).
But Cowboy Carter hair isn’t one-note either. Part of the fun is Beyoncé’s versatility: she switches up styles constantly while keeping the vibe consistent. We’ve seen her platinum tresses worn sleek and poker-straight (in one Instagram teaser, she sported waist-length, glassy-straight hair that flowed from beneath her hat and reached past her hips (byrdie.com). In contrast, she’s also rocked bohemian braids - notably, in her tour announcement post she appeared with waist-length white-blonde braids and even bleached eyebrows, creating a striking cowgirl-meets-high-fashion look that lit up social media (people.com). For some performances, she opts for a high ponytail or half-up style with lots of texture (“The Wild West Ponytail,” as one stylist dubbed it, emphasizing volume and grit over a polished finish (essence.com). And thanks to those omnipresent cowboy hats, hat hair is in - but not the flat, messy kind. The trick Beyoncé’s stylist uses is to keep the roots lifted and the length either straight and tucked behind the shoulders or in loose waves, so when she dons a hat it frames her face perfectly (essence.com). Throw in accessories like rhinestone-studded bandanas or vintage hair pins, and you’ve got a whole Cowboy Carter hair mood: rugged yet glam.
It’s worth noting that Beyoncé has been actively connecting her artistry to the hair world in a tangible way too. She quietly launched her own haircare brand, Cécred, and made it the official beauty partner of the tour (essence.com). At each stadium, fans can visit pop-up “Cécred Roadshow” booths in decked-out trailers to experience her favorite hair products, get samples, and snap photos with giant bottles of shampoo (americansalon.com). This makes perfect sense - after all, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter looks are as much about the hair as the outfits, and she’s inviting fans to share in that. Industry insiders point out that Cécred’s focus is on nourishing textured hair, which aligns with the tour’s celebration of Black cowgirl magic (allure.com and byrdie.com). Even if Beyoncé is currently rocking silky blonde wigs, she’s still uplifting the importance of healthy, versatile hair for everyone.
Overall hair trend: expect bigger, longer, and bouncier hair to surge in popularity. Already we’re seeing concertgoers show up with extra-long wavy extensions or backcombed curls, fully embracing that “bigness” = power vibe. As one beauty writer observed, in literature and symbolism letting one’s hair down often signifies empowerment - and indeed, as Beyoncé’s hair gets bigger and wilder on this tour, it feels like her impact grows too (byrdie.com). It’s all about unabashed confidence. So if you’ve ever wanted to try a bombshell blowout or XXL extensions, now is the time. The Cowboy Carter trend says: the higher the hair, the closer to music legend status.
Image Reference: Beyoncé posing for her Cowboy Carter tour, with a white cowboy hat, denim chaps, and XXL sleek, straight hair (byrdie.com).
Steal the Look: How to Channel Cowboy Carter Style
The best part of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter craze is that it’s meant to be imitated. Fans in their 20s and 30s across America are gleefully adopting the cowboy-glam look for concerts and beyond. You don’t have to be Beyoncé (or break the bank) to get in on the trend. Here are some fun and practical tips to help you replicate the tour’s fashion and beauty vibe:
1. Grab a Glamorous Cowboy Hat: Start at the top - literally. A wide-brim cowboy hat instantly transforms your outfit into cowgirl territory. Go for white or black for a classic look, or try a bold color if you’re feeling daring. For extra Bey flair, add embellishments: glue on rhinestones or metal studs, tie a silk scarf or bandana around it, or even spray on a bit of glitter. (Just remember to take off your hat when the show starts, as a courtesy to those behind you, as Beyoncé’s team has humorously reminded us (refinery29.com).) The hat is your statement piece, so rock it with confidence.
2. Denim, Denim, and More Denim: As Queen Bey preaches, you cannot have too much denim this season. Channel the Canadian tuxedo look - pair your favorite jeans (ripped, bedazzled, or cut-out, anything goes) with a denim jacket or vest. Different shades of denim together are fine, and actually create a cool contrast. If you have a denim dress or jumpsuit, even better. To really honor that “Levii’s Jeans” spirit (refinery29.com), consider adding a denim accessory like a purse or boots. The key is to layer denim on denim confidently. It’s a casual foundation that you’ll spice up with the right accessories.
3. Add Fringe and Sparkle: Now, take that denim or whatever base you have, and gild the lily. Pull in some fringe, sequins, or studs to get the rodeo glam effect. For example, throw on a fringe suede jacket or a tasseled kimono. Swap plain belts for one with a big Western buckle (the shinier, the better). Opt for a top or bodysuit with rhinestone embellishments, or DIY some sparkle onto a cowboy-style button-down shirt. This step is all about those rodeo queen details - remember Beyoncé’s own outfits were covered in crystals and metallic accents (marieclaire.com). Even a chunky necklace or sparkly choker can nod to that bling. Don’t shy away from shine; under arena lights, you’ll sparkle like the star herself.
4. Boot Up: Footwear can make or break the cowgirl fantasy. Thankfully, cowboy boots are not only stylish but practical for a long night of dancing. Look for mid-calf or knee-high boots with a Western silhouette - pointed toe, block heel, maybe some embroidery or studwork. Colors like tan, black, or white are versatile, but metallic or glitter boots can be super fun for a concert. If boots aren’t your thing, a pair of leather ankle booties can substitute, but try to choose something with Western cues. The idea is to feel a bit like you could ride a mechanical bull or strut a runway. Comfort is key too: Beyoncé performs in custom boots that match her outfits (marieclaire.com), but you should make sure your pick is broken-in and comfy so you can two-step all night without blisters.
5. Big Hair, Big Attitude: You’ve got the outfit - now top it off with Beyoncé-level hair. This is where those seamless clip-in hair extensions become your secret weapon. Celebrities and influencers are raving about seamless clip-ins lately; unlike older extensions, these have ultra-thin wefts that lie flat, making them virtually undetectable in your hair (no bulky bumps - hence “seamless”). If your hair isn’t naturally long or thick, clip-ins can instantly give you that mane character energy that Beyoncé has in Cowboy Carter. Want her waist-length wavy locks? Clip in some extensions, curl them loosely, and brush them out for volume. Craving her sleek ponytail? Clip a few pieces into a high pony and tease the base for fullness. The beauty of clip-ins is you can take them out at the end of the night - no commitment. They’re part of a larger movement in beauty toward personalization without damage, allowing us to channel our inner diva just for the day. Pro Tip: Look for a shade that matches your hair (or go for a pre-colored platinum set if you want Beyoncé’s blonde without bleach). And always blend by curling or styling your hair with the extensions for a natural finish.
6. Go for Glam Makeup: Beyoncé’s tour makeup combines Western grit with superstar glam. You’ll see a lot of earthy tones on the eyes - think bronzy or smoky eyeshadows - paired with a bold eyeliner flick for drama (essence.com). Skin is sun-kissed and glowy, as if you’ve been riding through Texas plains (a good bronzer or peachy blush helps). And don’t forget the statement lip: Beyoncé alternates between nude lips for her daytime cowgirl looks and a classic bold red for high-impact moments (her Instagram announcement with the white-blonde braids featured a show-stopping matte red lip) (people.com). For your take, you could do a warm nude lip or channel that fiery red - whichever makes you feel most confident. Finish with a setting spray with a bit of shimmer, so your face catches the light like Bey’s on stage. This makeup should make you feel powerful and camera-ready - after all, half the fun is snapping selfies in your outfit before the show!
Finally, don’t forget the attitude. Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour is as much about mindset as visuals - it’s about embracing a fearless, joyful, larger-than-life version of yourself. Whether you put on all these elements or just a few, wear it with the pride and boldness that Beyoncé exudes. Maybe it’s the confidence of a rodeo champion or the sass of a Texas beauty queen - whatever it is, own it. As Beyoncé has demonstrated, blending cultures and styles can be a celebration of who you are and where you come from. So dust off that cowboy hat, crank up “Texas Hold ‘Em,” and get ready to saddle up in style. With some creative fashion finds and a few beauty tricks (and well-placed extensions), you’ll be ready to ride the Cowboy Carter wave - and turn heads while you’re at it. In the words of Queen Bey: she’s a cowgirl, baby - and now, you can be too! (Yeehaw 🎶)