Rhinestones, cowboy boots: How to dress perfectly for a concert
In the last year, my most memorable evenings have been spent wearing — in no particular order — an exact replica of Taylor Swift's Lover rhinestone bodysuit (with matching boots), a red tie and combat jeans in homage to Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong, a tartan corset à la Gwen Stefani in her Galliano era, and a lilac top scattered with crystals to symbolise Coldplay's A Sky Full of Stars, all while listening to my favourite artistes play live. Basic band T-shirt for a concert I've spent all day in a Ticketmaster queue for? No siree. Whether at Swift's tour in London, Coldplay and Stefani in Abu Dhabi, or Green Day in Dubai, delving into the canon of an artiste and devising an outfit in homage elevates my concert-going experience exponentially, immersing me in the fandom through fashion. Judging by the sea of sequins at Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour — the proceeds of which recently enabled her to buy back the rights to the master recordings of her first six albums for a nine-figure sum — I'm not alone.
This weekend, Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour rolls into Europe for nine shows in London and Paris, the tour's only non-US dates and the closest opportunity for UAE-based members of the Beyhive to see the 40-song extravaganza, her first since 2023's Renaissance. Paying homage to Black pioneers of country music, the three-hour show features up to nine custom costumes designed by the likes of Roberto Cavalli, Mugler, Burberry, Loewe, Dolce & Gabbana, and Moschino. Chaps! Fringe! Star Spangled Banners! Gold leather! Denim on denim on denim! And all the crystals that Swarovski can wrangle.
As concert-goers, there are a wealth of western-inspired styles to draw from. Most obviously, a cowboy hat. The baller move is Miu Miu's contemporary drill style (Dh2,380) or Vuitton's LV Vers with gold hardware (Dh4,300). At the other end of the corporeal scale, cowboy boots. There are plenty out there; I'd advise a soft suede or worn-in leather (three hours of dancing is no mean feat for the feet) and a low heel, leave the sky-high fringed Louboutins for Bey. Golden Goose's Wish Star line of boots fall on the fashion side of fancy dress, which is what we're aiming for.
Assuming that Bey's backless chaps are a tribute act too far, your next best choice for the bottom half of your outfit is a pair of classic Levi's 501s. Beyoncé's been the face of the denim firm's 'Live In' collection since September 2024, and paid the ultimate tribute to a brand that supported her in the early days of Destiny's Child by recording a track called Levii's Jeans with Post Malone for the Cowboy Carter album. Another benefit of wearing jeans is, prosaically, pockets. Phone, hotel room key, pac-a-mac, stash them in a pocket and leave your hands free for the Single Ladies moves.
Save the fashion statement for your top half: leather, fringing, rhinestones, bandana prints, it's all on the table. The Attico has a rhinestone-detailed white vest that recalls Bey's iconic Crazy in Love look (currently reduced to Dh1,320 at Ounass), or channel the singer's Y2K bandana scarf top with a 2025 version by Marant Etoile (Dh865).
With 35 wins, Beyoncé is the most decorated artiste in all of Grammy Awards history. Given the endless supply of western lore fans have to draw from, I wouldn't be surprised if Cowboy Carter tour-goers take home the gong for most decorated audience.
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