RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The influence of Western aesthetics has always been present in culture, but could it be taking new heights in 2024?
Well, thanks to “Queen Bey,” many think so. The Texas-born artist donned a white Stetson hat to the 2024 Grammy’s earlier this year, marking an aesthetic pivot from the metallic era of her latest album, Rennaissance.
A week later, Beyoncé surprise-dropped 2 new singles, “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” and “16 CARRIAGES” during a Super Bowl commercial; both featuring a country sound. While the Americana trend has long been celebrated and adorned by indie and country music artists, it is trading satire for reverence in other corners of popular culture.
The functional aesthetic including cowboy hats, fringed jackets, worn leather, denim jeans, boots, and a statement belt is reaching modernity with the embrace of colors and endless combinations.
A simple hashtag search on TikTok reveals nearly 700 inspired posts and on Instagram more than a thousand. A trend that was once gatekept, now proving y’all really does mean all.
