Cowboy Carter Costume
Channel your inner rodeo queen with Beyoncé's high-fashion patriotic Western look.
Inspired by Beyoncé's genre-bending album, the Cowboy Carter costume is a high-fashion, patriotic Western look that has taken the internet by storm. Perfect for concerts, Halloween, or themed parties, this outfit combines classic Americana with diva-level glamour. The signature look features a pristine white cowboy hat, a red, white, and blue sash, and plenty of fringe and rhinestones.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $60–180
Try it on
See yourself as Cowboy Carter
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What you need for a Cowboy Carter costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Cowboy Carter costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
White Cowboy Hat
A classic, structured white felt or straw cowboy hat with a wide brim.
DIY: Take an old cowboy hat and spray paint it matte white, then add a silver band.
White Leather or Denim Jacket with Fringe
A cropped white jacket featuring long, dramatic fringe along the sleeves and back.
DIY: Buy a plain white jacket and fabric-glue white leather fringe trim along the sleeves.
Red, White, and Blue Sash
A wide satin sash worn diagonally across the torso, resembling a pageant or parade sash.
DIY: Cut strips of red, white, and blue satin ribbon, sew them together, and write 'COWBOY CARTER' in silver glitter fabric paint.
White Bodysuit or Chaps Set
A form-fitting white bodysuit, optionally paired with matching white western chaps or denim.
DIY: Wear a fitted white tank top tucked into high-waisted white jeans.
Silver Rhinestone Belt
A thick western belt with an oversized silver buckle, heavily embellished with rhinestones.
DIY: Glue individual flatback rhinestones onto a standard black or white belt.
White Cowboy Boots
Pointed-toe white western boots with a stacked heel, ideally with silver embroidery or metallic accents.
DIY: Wear plain white boots and add temporary silver glitter spray to the heels.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Cowboy Carter costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the form-fitting white bodysuit and layer high-waisted white jeans or chaps over it.
- 2
Secure the waist with a thick, sparkling silver rhinestone western belt.
- 3
Drape the red, white, and blue sash diagonally across your chest from the right shoulder to the left hip, securing it with a safety pin.
- 4
Put on the cropped white fringe jacket, ensuring the fringe hangs freely from the arms.
- 5
Pull on the pointed-toe white cowboy boots.
- 6
Place the structured white cowboy hat firmly on your head, tilting it slightly back to show your face.
- 7
Finish the look by carrying a small American flag or wearing silver star-shaped earrings.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair in voluminous, platinum blonde or honey-blonde waves that cascade down your shoulders. Keep the makeup glamorous with a classic red lip, sharp winged eyeliner, and a flawless, glowing complexion.
Cowboy Carter for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with someone dressed as a vintage rodeo clown or a classic outlaw cowboy in all-black leather.
- group
- Have your friends dress in different color-blocked Western looks (all-red, all-blue, all-black) to form a complete Cowboy Carter rodeo court.
- kids
- A miniature version featuring a white denim jacket, blue jeans, a red bandana, and a small white plastic cowboy hat.
- Plus size
- Opt for a high-waisted white denim skirt paired with a supportive white corset top and a draped fringe vest for a comfortable, flattering silhouette.
- pet
- A small white dog sweater paired with a tiny red, white, and blue bandana and a miniature foam cowboy hat.
Tips
- Secure the sash with safety pins hidden underneath the fabric to keep it from sliding off your shoulder while dancing.
- If wearing the outfit to a concert, opt for low-heeled or broken-in white boots to ensure you can stand comfortably for hours.
- Use fabric stiffener on the fringe if it starts to curl or tangle during assembly.
- For photos, hold the brim of your hat with one hand and strike a confident, high-fashion pose.
Cowboy Carter costume FAQ
- What is the Cowboy Carter aesthetic?
- It is a high-fashion blend of traditional American Western wear and modern pop diva glamour, characterized by fringe, rhinestones, cowboy hats, and patriotic red, white, and blue accents.
- How do I make the Cowboy Carter sash?
- You can use a wide tri-color ribbon (red, white, and blue) and use iron-on silver glitter letters to spell out 'COWBOY CARTER' or 'TEXAS' across the front.
- Can I wear silver instead of white?
- Yes! Beyoncé wore several metallic silver and chrome Western outfits during her performances, so a silver sequin bodysuit or metallic silver boots fit the theme perfectly.
Did you know? The Cowboy Carter aesthetic sparked a massive global resurgence in Western wear, causing searches for white cowboy hats and fringe jackets to spike by over 200% following the album's announcement.