Great Outfits in Fashion History: Beyoncé's Canadian Tuxedo at the 2003 'Aida' Premiere

The Citizen

9 months ago

There are perfectly good celebrity style moments, and then there are the looks that really stick with you, the ones you try desperately to recreate at home. In ‘Great Outfits in Fashion History,’ Fashionista editors are revisiting their all-time favorite lewks.

In lieu of Beyoncé’s postponed Jan. 14 announcement (I’m manifesting an Act III album release date), I figured a trip down the performer’s sartorial memory lane would somewhat satiate my need for Beyoncé content. And what better fashion moment to reminisce about than one of her many denim-on-denim outfits.

Her appearance at the 2003 “Aida” premiere — in support of Destiny’s Child group member Michelle Williams’ Broadway debut — particularly charmed me. For the occasion, she donned her version of the Canadian tuxedo: a denim, cropped, bellybutton-baring jacket and low-waist, light-wash pants. Accessory-wise, she reached for black, buckled pumps and small, brown hoop earrings.

I couldn’t identify the outfit credit, but I’d wager it’s Levi(i)’s if I had to bet (Bey’s own brand House Dereon, RIP, wouldn’t launch until three years later). The artist has a long relationship with the denim brand: It was one of the only major brands willing to dress Destiny’s Child at the time, and even made them the face of its 2001 “Low Rise Jeans” ad campaign.

Though a “Cowboy Carter” tour announcement seems unlikelier by the day, it’s never bad to prepare an outfit, just in case. Shop our Beyoncé-inspired (but modernized) denim picks below.