Whenever Beyoncé performs in her native Houston, her return creates a rippling homecoming effect across the city. That’s less of a reference to the tour de force singer and songwriter’s 2019 live album and documentary concert film of the same name, but more a nod to true-to-life, Lone Star State homecoming traditions.
The scene outside of NRG Stadium over the weekend for the two-night run of Cowboy Carter shows was nothing short of a pep rally. Texas-sized chrysanthemum corsages were on parade, embellished with ribbons and decorative spirit trinkets, pinned at the shoulder (down South, we call them mums). Red, white, and blue silk sashes sliced through crowds, too, customized to riff on the Grammy Award-winning (Best Country Album, anyone?) record cover. And because June 28 serendipitously doubled as International LGBTQI+ Pride Day, a gulf of self-described queens rounded out this metaphoric homecoming court.
Beyoncé’s past and present onstage fashion inspired street style looks laden with Easter eggs. A number of outfits paid homage to the inaugural NFL 2024 Christmas Day Halftime Show, apropos-dubbed BeyBowl, for the Houston Texas vs. Baltimore Ravens game, which also took place at NRG. Many a concertgoer drew from the furry, feathered, and rhinestone-flecked all-white western wear that stylist and costume designer Shiona Turini produced for Cowboy Carter Christmas. Others paid tribute to classic Americana, with patriotic flags waving through Levi’s or Wrangler denim belt loops.
For Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo competitors, such as sister barrel racers Leah and Elizabeth Zadel, it was an occasion to layer functional cowgirl gear with couture.
“These are Stella McCartney jeans that I saved up for, for a long time with the Ariat boots I always wear,” Leah told Vogue. “And my sister got the idea for her pants from Beyoncé’s custom Schiaparelli Haute Couture outfit for the tour. She sewed on all those conchos after she couldn’t find anything similar and thought, ‘Why not make it myself?’”
Outside of Queen Bey’s hometown hoedown, Vogue photographed some of the most inventive and inspiring looks.