Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show: A Fashion Revolution in Zara
In a stunning departure from the luxury fashion norm that typically dominates the Super Bowl halftime stage, Puerto Rican megastar Bad Bunny made a powerful statement by wearing not one but two custom outfits from Spanish high street brand Zara during his performance at Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California. The most-streamed artist on Spotify in 2025, Bad Bunny is celebrated not only for his musical prowess but also as one of the industry's most visually astute performers.
The Zara Choice: Redefining Pop Fashion
As the most-watched event on American television, the Super Bowl halftime show has long served as a premier marketing platform for stars, often showcasing luxury fashion. From Rihanna's iconic pregnancy reveal to Kendrick Lamar's memorable denim ensemble, the thirteen-minute spectacle has historically been synonymous with high-end design. However, Bad Bunny's deliberate selection of Zara—a brand renowned for its affordable interpretations of runway trends—signals a significant shift in pop culture's fashion landscape.
Andrew Groves, Professor of Fashion Design at the University of Westminster, observed: "The suit still reads as authority, but the authority comes from Bad Bunny's cultural position, not from a luxury house's stamp of approval. Zara on a Super Bowl stage is a statement about power-shifting." This move underscores that couture is no longer the inevitable choice for pop's biggest moments, mirroring the show's all-Spanish lyrical content that challenges English as pop music's lingua franca.
Decoding the Outfits: Cultural and Personal References
Styled by Storm Pablo and Marvin Douglas Linares, Bad Bunny's first look featured a collared shirt and tie paired with cropped off-white trousers, Adidas Resilience trainers, and a cropped padded football jersey emblazoned with "Ocasio"—part of his full name, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio. Worn amidst a sugar cane field set with dancers in traditional jibaro straw hats, the outfit sparked online speculation about the number 64 on its front, later revealed by Complex magazine to be his uncle's football jersey number.
For his duet with Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny re-emerged in a broad-shouldered suit and tie in the same off-white shade, confirmed by Zara as bespoke creations. With an off-the-peg Zara suit costing approximately £250, this choice emphasized accessibility. The suit's fluid cut even drew comparisons to Francisco Goya's anti-war masterpiece, "The Third of May 1808," highlighting its dramatic presence on the stadium stage.
Broader Cultural and Political Undertones
While Bad Bunny did not wear an "ICE out" pin as some speculated following his Grammy awards statement, his fashion choices carried subtle political weight. Lady Gaga complemented the performance in a custom blue pleated ruffle dress by Luar, featuring a flor de maga brooch representing Puerto Rico's national flower and flag colors. The set design, inspired by traditional pink casitas of Puerto Rico, included dancers in knitted outfits by Puerto Rican designer Jomary Segarra's brand, Yo+.
This halftime show continues a tradition of style moments with political resonance, reminiscent of Beyoncé's 2016 Formation performance honoring the Black Panthers. By wearing affordable fashion, Bad Bunny paid homage to a pop culture that is increasingly multilingual, international, and accessible at its core, reinforcing his role as a champion of Boricua joy and cultural visibility.
