The socialites and royals like Princess Anne and Zara Tindall to copy if you want to embrace Beyoncé’s cowgirl chic with a British high-society flair

Beyoncé has recently launched her highly-anticipated country album, Cowboy Carter – and became Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day so far this year upon its release.

To promote her new record, the Texas-born singer, 42, has embraced a chic wardrobe fit for a cowgirl – filled with leather fringe jackets, bolo ties and cowboy hats and boots.

The country-influenced dressing has led to some declaring that this season is all about cowboy core across the pond, in part also to the popularity of Kevin Costner’s western drama Yellowstone.

But in Britain, country chic is altogether different. Swap the leather jackets for tailored tweed, rhinestone boots for sophisticated knee-highs and cowboy hats for fedoras, if you want to take a closer-to-home approach to country dressing.

Who better to offer up inspiration for the UK’s Horse Girl Summer looks – as it’s been dubbed by British society bible Tatler – than the royals?

Zara Tindall and Princess Eugenie attend Day Two of the Cheltenham Festival 2024

Budding fashionistas need look no further than the likes of Zara Tindall, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and Princess Anne (who was recently named the ‘the chicest woman in the world..’ by Italian fashion house Fendi).

The King’s niece, Zara, 42, a British equestrian, nails ‘rural vogue’ each time she steps out at a racetrack, whether it be a Horse Trails events or Cheltenham.

This year for the three-day festival at the Gloucestershire racecourse, the mother-of-three, who is married to former England rugby ace Mike Tindall, wore a structured pinstriped suit, as well as a grey coat and statement green fascinator. 

She was joined throughout the prestigious racing event by her cousins Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, who both looked stunning in their country chic outfits.

Beatrice, 35, the eldest daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York, sported a stylish brown coat, hairband and Kate Spade bag, while her sister opted for a white wraparound coat by Reiss, which she wore over an oatmeal midi dress.

The 34-year-old was pictured in a sleek white fedora and holding a structured handbag with gold hardware that perfectly matched the tone of her dress. 

She finished off her look with Penelope Chilvers tan suede boots and minimal gold hoops.

The late Queen’s only daughter, Princess Anne, meanwhile, has long been the epitome of country chic for some.

Princess Beatrice at Day Three of The Cheltenham Festival 2024, pictured left. Pictured right, Zara Tindall at Cheltenham Racecourse in December 2023

The King’s niece, Zara (pictured), 42, a British equestrian, nails ‘rural vogue’ each time she steps out at a racetrack

Princess Anne pictured in May 1969. Who better to offer up inspiration for the UK’s Horse Girl Summer looks, than the royals

Princess Anne at the Cheltenham Festival in 2024, pictured left, and in 2016, pictured right

The Princess Royal pictured at the Cheltenham Racecourse on March 16, 2012

Queen Camilla looked sophisticated in a beige long-line coat and matching boots as she arrived at Day Two of the Cheltenham Festival 2024

The late Queen Elizabeth II pictured at Cheltenham in 2003, wearing a bright statement coat with boots

Earlier this year, high-end Italian fashion house Fendi revealed its designs for autumn and winter 2024 at Milan Fashion Week, with designer Silvia Venturini Fendi hailing the 73-year-old Princess Royal as her inspiration. 

She called Anne ‘the chicest woman in the world… capable of maintaining her femininity while wearing a uniform.’

The designer gushed: ‘I fell in love with the style of Princess Anne who, to my mind, is the most elegant woman in the world.’

She continued: ‘When I saw the Coronation last year with Princess Anne in her uniform, I thought she looked beautiful. 

‘So I said, “let’s be inspired for a men’s collection’. I liked the idea of breaking barriers, breaking the masculine and feminine codes. 

‘The Princess Royal is very rigorous in how she dresses, with this kind of military-minded attitude, but feminine at the same time.

‘She has a life outside the spotlight. She’s kind of an anti-fashion person and, to me, that’s something that’s actually very fashionable and chic.’

But it’s not just the royals that are synonymous with country chic – socialites such as Jade Holland Cooper and Georgia Toffolo both often show off their best rural looks, especially at Cheltenham.

But it’s not just the royals that are synonymous with country chic – socialites such as Jade Holland Cooper (pictured) and Georgia Toffolo both often show off their best rural looks, especially at Cheltenham

Georgia Toffolo arriving on Day Two of the Cheltenham Festival in 2023

Sabrina Percy and Isabel Getty pose during Royal Ascot 2021 at Ascot Racecourse

Carol Voderman looked suitably glamorous in a tweed flared coat jacket and brown suede knee-high boots in 2023

Jade Holland Cooper arriving on Day Three of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse

For the last couple of years ‘rural vogue’ looks have taken the crown at the racecourse’s famous festival – with racegoers no longer waiting for Ascot to dress to impress.

The aesthetic encompasses trenches, capes and blazers in a green or brown colour, while anything tweed is appreciated and suede boots, faux fur accessories and tan block heels also make up the look.

While Royal Ascot offers a chance for race enthusiasts to sport sweet pastel dresses or vibrant statement ensembles, Cheltenham has ignored mainstream trends and instead ‘fashion-conscious country types’ show off their traditional style.

‘It’s not about what you spend, it’s about enjoying the sense of occasion,’ a local who visits each year told The Telegraph last year, with the publication noting the ‘truly posh’ now wear the same clothes annually.

It’s apparently even better for the racegoers if they can boast that the clothing has been in the family for generations. 

Speaking to FEMAIL ahead of this year’s event, Jade Holland Cooper, 37, who is married to the co-founder of clothing label Superdry, Julian Dunkerton, shared her tips for race day dressing.

The British fashion designer, whose brand has been worn by the Princess of Wales, said: ‘Layering is key to making sure you look great but also enjoy the day,’ adding: ‘It is always freezing!’

She continued: ‘I think people assume racing means green tweeds, although these are a classic, I like to try bright bolder looks. Most recently, I wore our brand-new Ivory Sparkle Tweed, which my customers loved.’

Cowboy core – derived from the clothes worn in the 19th century Wild West – is seeing a resurgence, thanks to Beyoncé

Beyoncé continued her country-themed aesthetic while attending the Luar show during New York Fashion Week in a sequined silver Gaurav Gupta blazer dress and matching over-the-knee boots

After kicking off Paris Fashion Week with a Wild, Wild West collection, Pharrell Williams attended the Kenzo Menswear fall/winter 2024-2025 show dressed like a modern day cowboy

Kim Kardashian donned a sexy cowboy core outfit to Michael Rubin’s 2024 Fanatics Super Bowl party at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

Meanwhile, she warned: ‘The ground is often muddy, and you are on your feet most of the day, so a flat boot or chunky heel is necessary.’

Discussing the perfect accessories, she added: ‘It is a busy day and a cross body bag is a must. I always tell my customers that leather gloves are a must; a silk scarf can really elevate your look and one of our trilby hats.’

It comes after fashion experts at Boohoo revealed a recent spike of interest in the cowboy core trend after several celebrities embraced the style.

Global Google searches for ‘cowboy hat’ skyrocketed by 212.5% following Beyoncé’s Super Bowl commercial, according to the online retailer. The singer announced her eighth studio album, country-influenced, Act II, the second of the Renaissance trilogy.

Searches for ‘cowboy boots’ and ‘bolo tie’ also soared by 163% and 566%, respectively.

Along with Beyoncé announcing her new album, Kim Kardashian donned a sexy cowboy core outfit to Michael Rubin’s 2024 Fanatics Super Bowl party at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Her look consisted of a plunging cowl neck top with matching pants and a black cowboy hat.

Pharrell Williams is also a big fan of the aesthetic. The creative director of Louis Vuitton mens, kicked off Paris Fashion Week with a Wild, Wild West collection.

Models took the catwalk in everything from fringed denim to bolo ties and flannel shirts. 

The multi-talented artist himself attended the Kenzo Menswear fall/winter 2024-2025 show dressed like a modern day cowboy.

The star wore a black sweater and white cargo pants and accessorised with a printed scarf tied around his neck, aviator-style sunglasses and a straw hat.