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What Wendy Wore: Electric Black Horse and Beyoncé

August 6, 2013 by WendyB

My weekend was full of music. On Saturday, I went to see my friend Kevin Mercado (aka Merx) perform with his band, Electric Black Horse, at Mercury Lounge. It was so dark there that none of my photos came out, so here’s one from a performance last year.

elec

Michael Pate on the left, Merx on the right.

I was dressed casually. If this pre-show photo had a title, it would be, “Is there a cell phone in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?”

electricblackhorseresizeWhat Wendy Wore
T-shirt: Splendid
Jeans: Acne (2008-ish)
Shoes: Opening Ceremony (2013)
Purse: Prada (2013; gift from BarbaraB)

Then, on Sunday, I saw Beyoncé at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Her queenly video interludes with important-sounding voiceovers about love reminded me of Madonna’s, but King Bey definitely puts on a great show. And my concert-photo-taking skills are really improving. My Eminem, Emeli Sandé, Madonna and Lady Gaga pictures were all terrible. Adam Ant was okay, Rihanna and Skylar Grey were very good and Beyoncé is a little blurry but completely recognizable as Beyoncé. Woot!

beyonce2resize

Click for the rest of my photos on Flickr.

Sadly, I didn’t get a good shot of her flying through the air through a shower of glitter from the main stage to a secondary stage. That stunt didn’t compare to the aerial acrobatics Pink does in concert, but it did remind me that I’ve been wanting to mention an article that the Los Angeles Times ran in March, called, “Pop Divas Are Making a Spectacle of Themselves.” The subtitle was “The music industry’s female stars are quite literally reaching new heights these days as ever-riskier tour stunts seemingly designed for acrobats are built into the show.” It stuck with me because my impression has been that women do all the daring physical things at big arena concerts these days, while men perform with their feet firmly planted on the stage. The Times had the same impression, because its story asked, “But why is it that women are bearing the burden of taking big risks onstage?” I wasn’t entirely satisfied with its answer, “For one, the pop landscape has become more and more competitive.” What does that mean? I’m going to suggest this reason: “Women still have to work twice as hard as men to be successful.” But maybe I’m missing some flying dude performers. If I am, let me know in the comments.

I knew Beyoncé’s costumes were going to be over-the-top, so I figured I’d break out one of my favorite over-the-top pieces: my Junya Watanabe ruffled, cropped, pleather moto jacket.

beyonceoutfitresizeWhat Wendy Wore
Jacket: Junya Watanabe (2012)
Top: Velvet (purchased some time in the past 10 years)
Pants: Tark 1 (probably from 1998 or 1999)
Shoes: Prada (2011)
Purse: Prada (same as in photo above, 2013)

One thing that was really special about the Beyoncé show was the festive mood of the concert-goers. In between the opening act, Luke James, and Beyoncé, party music was being played (including Juicy J’s “Bandz a Make Her Dance,” which I mentioned here). At different times, random women in the audience would dance so enthusiastically that the rest of the arena would turn to watch and cheer. It was highlarious to see everyone on the floor pointing and taking pictures of the dancers in the higher seats. I don’t have any videos of the dancers, so you’ll just have to settle for my clip of Beyoncé doing “Single Ladies.”

I bet if I had looked away from Beyoncé, I would have seen some ladies doing awesome “Single Ladies” hand moves and hair flips in the audience!

UPDATED TO ADD: I’ve linked up to Not Dead Yet Style’s Visible Monday post. Click here to see all the other visible women.

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Filed Under: concerts, music, outfit post, pictures of me, What Wendy Wore

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. That's Not My Age says

    August 6, 2013 at 4:05 am

    You do casual and OTT brilliantly.

    • WendyB says

      August 6, 2013 at 1:15 pm

      Thank you!

  2. Ann says

    August 6, 2013 at 8:01 am

    That is one fab shrug, seriously great! You wear it beautifully.

    • WendyB says

      August 6, 2013 at 1:16 pm

      I can never resist ruffles, it seems!

  3. MARLA ROBINSON says

    August 6, 2013 at 8:27 am

    love that first pic of you in your black outfit, so cute

    • WendyB says

      August 6, 2013 at 1:16 pm

      Thanks, Marla!

  4. Patti @ NotDeadYet Style says

    August 6, 2013 at 8:38 am

    Your Junya Watanabe jacket is the best, best Beyonce concert jacket *ever*. And thanks for my daily tune, I got it now : > Thanks for bringing your fabulous pics to Visible Monday too.

    • WendyB says

      August 6, 2013 at 1:16 pm

      Thanks for hosting us!

  5. Jan Graham-McMillen says

    August 6, 2013 at 8:27 pm

    Somehow, it doesn’t look OtT at all. You look understated.
    It’s all context and it’s all good. Yup, you got a good photo to show. Just one of your many talents.

    Adam Ant … really!? Second time I’ve heard him mentioned this week and for the second time in twenty-odd years! And 58? Still a baby.

    • WendyB says

      August 6, 2013 at 10:01 pm

      Yeah, with Adam Ant, apparently he’s promoting a new album and getting a good response. I’m happy for him!

  6. Suzanne says

    August 7, 2013 at 7:34 am

    I now know that my OTT is seriously NOT when compared to yours. That bolero/jacket/shrug/alien is insane. I love the colour and I can’t believe it’s leather. It reminds me of something from the 1800’s when they had HUGE shoulders and the smallest waists.

    I bet it was good at the concert. It would make sure no one gets too close to you.

    • WendyB says

      August 7, 2013 at 1:19 pm

      I think if I’d been in the standing area on the floor I wouldn’t have worn it because I WOULD be concerned about someone violating the jacket’s personal space! 🙂

  7. Amber of Butane Anvil says

    August 10, 2013 at 8:46 am

    Been loving your reportage of performers wearing your work – don’t they look fabulous! – and your adventures. Your super-cool casual look is right on, and your Junya Watanabe jacket is pure, joyful magnificence, looks like great fun to wear – do you find it makes you want to shoulder-shimmy the whole time?

    • WendyB says

      August 11, 2013 at 12:27 am

      I want to do all kinds of things when I wear that jacket! It makes me feel like a ruffly superhero.

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MEET WENDY BRANDES

Award-winning designer of fine jewelry inspired by women's history and pop culture. A former journalist who writes about jewelry, fashion, medieval history, news, feminism, dogs, cats and whatever else is on her mind. Blogging since 2007.
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