Excited Beyoncé fans planned outfits months ahead of Ford Field show

As Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour arrives at Ford Field on Wednesday, many of her fans — known collectively as the BeyHive — have been planning their outfits for months.

Leather and metallic outfits with mirror-studded accessories like the infamous disco cowboy hat have been flaunted so far.

Choosing an outfit to wear to the show has been a difficult decision, said fan Shaun Lester, 27, of Detroit. He has narrowed his search down to two options.

“I bought two to three different outfits,” Lester said. “A black Diesel tank top with either black cargo pants or black leather pants. That or an all-white outfit.”

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Dwight Walls, a self-proclaimed superfan, said he chose an outfit that reflects his favorite song from Beyoncé's "Renaissance" album.

“I bought some sparkly boots to match (the album's) personality, and the silver, metallic, 'Alien Superstar' look," said Walls, 28, of Wixom.

Walls describes "Renaissance" as his favorite Beyoncé album because of its emphasis on culture and fashion. The tour has brought a copious amount of otherworldly, fashion-forward concert looks, Walls said. He wants his outfit to reflect the album’s historic and powerful meaning.

Growing up in a religious Christian household, Walls said he was not allowed to listen to secular artists. But, after the release of "Survivor" by Destiny’s Child in 2001, Walls fell in love with the overall execution of influential girl group.

One member in particular stood out — Beyoncé. After Destiny's Child disbanded in 2006, Walls began to follow the lead singer’s career. Being a pop and R&B artist himself, Walls describes Beyoncé as the biggest influence on his own music career.

“Beyoncé’s star power, being able to do anything that she set her mind to, regardless of backlash and boundaries, inspired me,” Walls said. “I’ve always wanted to sing and be a part of the arts in general, but it was truly her artistry that made me want to start writing music.”

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Lester was introduced to Beyoncé through Destiny’s Child and the collaborations between the star and her rapper husband Jay-Z. He followed her rise to stardom and admired the singer's growth into a major triple-threat in the industry, noting her success in acting, singing and producing. Her work encourages fans to go after their own goals and dreams, Lester said.

“There is a saying in the community that ‘you get the same 24 hours as Beyoncé,’ so if she can do it, you can do it too,” Lester said.

That’s why concertgoers like Lester and Walls are putting so much effort and money into paying tribute to Beyoncé's body of work with metallic and sequin outfits, sparkly accessories, rhinestone hats and shiny boots.

Throughout her 26-year career, Beyoncé has produced content that her fans can relate to, especially those in Black communities, Walls said.

“To see where that young Southern, Black girl has come from, someone who transcended into this mainstream singer whose music now affects all different crowds while still being rooted in Black culture is simply amazing,” Walls said.

One of the main differences between Beyoncé and other artists in the industry, Lester said, is the fact that each album released is completely different than the last. Her live performances are just as meticulously created as her tracks, and just as enjoyable, Lester said.

“There is definitely a soul feeling in a lot of her music,” Lester said. “The song ‘Free’ by Destiny’s Child got me through a lot of breakups, and a lot of her music in general makes me feel like I can keep going, that I can do anything.”

The release of "Renaissance" promoted Black and queer culture, drawing attention to the impact they have had on the music industry, while also including genres such as House, which originated in Chicago and later lead to the establishment of Detroit’s own techno movement.

Lester believes the inclusion of house and disco-style music in "Renaissance" pays homage to Detroit’s music scene. The incorporation of music and culture from his own city is one of the biggest reasons Lester purchased a ticket to the show.

“With "Renaissance," she took influence from Detroit’s house music scene,” Lester said. “In her Grammy’s acceptance speech, she acknowledged the Black and queer community in the house industry. That speech was a big thank you to both Detroit and Chicago’s house scene.”

One of the biggest influences on "Renaissance" stemmed from ballroom culture, an underground Black, Latino and queer subculture founded in New York City. There, queer communities created pageants for community members to partake in, seeking a safe space. Lester said the ballroom scene in Detroit was integral for queer people of color to find safe spaces to gather, share culture and create a community.

“The ballroom scene in Detroit is not as well-known as it used to be, only because the historic LGBTQ+ Woodward Bar and Grill was burned down. Right now, the Black, queer community is trying to look for a safe space,” Lester said.

Beyoncé's latest album also helped Walls cope with a medical setback last year.

“'Renaissance' is very personal," Walls said. "It’s liberating. When 'Break My Soul' was announced I was in the hospital battling a health condition. Playing that song was a constant reminder that I can make it through.”

Caya Craig, a recent graduate of Grosse Pointe South High School, is a 2023 summer apprentice at the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Beyoncé fans excited to show concert outfits for Renaissance tour stop