Enthusiasts of Beyoncé don their western attire for the "Cowboy Carter" concert tour
Living it up y'all! Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter tour is officially underway, kicking off in LA this week, and let me tell you, it's a country-sized extravaganza.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
BEYONCE: Y'all best get ready for the Beyonce Cowboy Carter Act II!
Let's talk fashion, folks. This ain't your grandpa's cowboy gear, oh no! It's Beyoncé-style country, and that means shiny boots, fringed waistcoats, and of course, striking cowboy hats. Dressing up for this tour is as essential as dusting off your Stetson.
DILLIAN FRELOW: If you're going to a Beyoncé show, it's like going to the Met Gala. You gotta make sure you show up correct.
Beyoncé fan, social media sleuth Dillian Frelow, aka Dillian The Celebrity, lives for this. He's all about that custom-made gear, every piece meticulously crafted, down to his specially designed cowboy hat and boots.
FRELOW: I laid out all my clothes. Every single piece that I was wearing was custom made all the way from that top of the hat all the way to the bottom of the boot.
Caché McClay, USA Today Network's authoritative Beyoncé reporter, was also at opening night. She observed a veritable sea of cowboy hats, boots, and denim, as fans flocked to pay homage to the Queen B.
MCCLAY: The trend for Western wear is at an all-time high, and it's partly thanks to Beyoncé's tour and her album. We're seeing a spike in searches for cowboy hats, fringe, and cowboy boots.
It's not just the fans that are catching the cowboy bug. Luxury brands like Louis Vuitton are jumping on the wagon, offering bespoke cowboy gear for those who are wallet deep.
MERCEDES MATS: Since the tour announcement, I've been struggling to keep up with the demand for cowboy hats. It's been a good challenge though!
Mats is the founder of a luxury cowboy hat brand, and her custom-made hats are going for $285 a pop. That's what I call top-notch duds.
Mats credits none other than Beyoncé for this surge in demand, marveling at her ability to make even the most mundane items desirable.
MATS: She is the music, the movement and the sheer force of nature, period.
It's no surprise that Beyoncé's influence extends beyond the tour. In the two weeks following the release of the album's lead single, "LEVII'S JEANS," it brought in an additional $1.2 million for the denim brand. Luxury brands have also seen an uptick, eager to hitch their wagons to the Beyoncé express.
Beyoncé fan Bree Geiger is psyched for her summer concert ticket, excited to embrace the cowboy culture that the tour represents.
BREE GEIGER: It's welcoming me into cowboy culture, honoring our ancestors, and the history of it. It's about American culture, man!
So, what about you, Leila? You got any cowboy gear?
FADEL: Nothing yet, but I reckon I'll need to start rustling up some duds before the next show!
Just remember this word from Dillian The Celebrity:
FRELOW: Get your outfits on point, girl, and saddle up for the rodeo!
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "SWEET HONEY BUCKIIN'")
BEYONCE: (singing) We're riding through, just to put our eyes on you! You're the superstar, everybody's driving old new cars!
That's all for now, folks. Remember to keep it classy and keep that cowboy spirit alive!
This transcript has been reformatted for brevity and clarity. A full version can be found at NPR and is subject to changes.
- Dillian Frelow, a Beyoncé fan and social media sleuth, prepare meticulously for the concert, investing in custom-made clothing that includes a cowboy hat and boots.
- The cowboy style seen on Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter tour has influenced fashion trends, leading to an increase in searches for cowboy hats, fringe, and cowboy boots.
- Luxury brands like Louis Vuitton are now offering bespoke cowboy gear, catering to fans who are willing to spend more.
- Beyoncé's influence has extended beyond the tour, boosting sales for denim brands like Levi's and attracting interest from luxury brands.
- Bree Geiger, a Beyoncé fan, is eager for her summer concert ticket, looking forward to embracing the cowboy culture that the tour represents as a celebration of American lifestyle.
