In the first episode of Beckham’s new Netflix documentary, his former teammates speak in disbelief about how the footballer would receive his pay cheque on a Friday and spend it all on Saturday. On his shopping list? Cars and designer clothes. And when he met his now-wife of 24 years, Victoria Beckham, matching watches and jewellery were added to the list.
Though of course, having emerged into the spotlight as Posh Spice, Victoria already had her own strong sense of style — and quickly became a firm influence on David. Whether incidentally or artfully, the pair have always spoken volumes with their looks. Their ability to get cameras flashing has always been unmatched, especially when they’ve coordinated — which is a regular occurrence.
The Beckhams have been through many style phases from the late Nineties to now, and have mastered many moods. Who could forget the sarong moment that caused a furore with the England manager Glenn Hoddle? Or their matching white MTV looks in 2003? A united style front before a famously fraught year for the couple (they were dogged by rumours of David’s infidelity). Now, they seem determined to make his ‘n’ hers suiting their legacy.
Here is the story of the Beckhams as told through images.
1997: Not-so stealth wealth
The couple met after Victoria attended one of David’s Manchester United matches, and they quickly became inseparable. In Beckham, David speaks of driving for four hours just to see Victoria for 20 minutes. They told press they were just good friends, but it was a Cartier watch that gave the game away, according to the former footballer, as the style on her wrist clearly matched his. In the early days they’d regularly be spotted in his and hers Tanks Française watches by Cartier. Though when they first dated, VB was firmly in her bob and mini dress phase whereas Becks’ sportswear-heavy looks were distinct from hers.
1998: The first of 15 engagement rings
The couple got engaged after a year of dating, and proudly posed for pictures outside of the Rookery Hall in Chester where it happened. Matching black looks let the engagement ring — a three-carat marquise-cut diamond set in yellow gold — take the limelight. David has gifted no less than 15 engagement rings to his wife during their relationship.
1998: Sarong-gate
David was already known among his team for eye-catching fashion choices, and while a man wearing a skirt wouldn’t even make a story in its own right in 2023, it was considered front page-worthy in 1998. After the couple stepped out during the World Cup, with VB wearing an understated all-black look, this picture was headlined ‘Beckham has got his Posh frock on’ by The Sun. Rightly, Becks has since said he’s never regretted the look. At the time it also caused a stir with Beckham’s England manager Glenn Hoddle, who felt his head wasn’t in the game during this period, deeming that he was too busy covering newspapers.
1999: Matrix-inspired matching looks
For a Versace party in London, Posh and Becks showed how in sync they were with matching all-leather looks by Gucci. Victoria debuted a spikey new haircut and David had a sleek new side-swept cut.
1999: New parents out on the town
In 1999 the pair became parents for the first time, though when they found time to head out to events, their carefully coordinated Nineties ‘fits were often riffed on the jeans and a nice top theme. Or in David’s case: jeans and a nice headscarf.
2002: Commonwealth bling
David had several deals with Adidas in his early career which saw him rep the brand in various tracksuits, trainers and football boots. Shortly before he signed a lifetime contract in 2003, he made a major statement with this crystal-studded tracksuit at the opening of the Commonwealth Games.
2003: Matcy-matchy amid the Loos rumours
Shortly before the couple’s private life was plagued by rumours of David’s alleged affair with Rebecca Loos, they presented a united front in the style stakes on the red carpet at the MTV Movie Awards in matchy-matchy bright white and crystal looks.
2006: The WAG era
While cheering on her husband at the World Cup 2006, Victoria made a name for herself with her looks in the stands. With sons Romeo and Brooklyn in tow, and fellow footballer’s wife Cheryl Cole at her side, VB defined game-going style for women. Her trademark became slogan vests, oversized sunnies and denim hotpants. Eventually these more casual looks began to give way to the structured bodycon dresses and Hermès Birkin bags that became VB’s signature in the Noughties.
2008: First couples’ Met Gala
In the same year that Victoria Beckham launched her eponymous line and cemented herself as a fashion heavyweight, she brought David to the Met Gala for the first time. They both wore Armani for the occasion to honour the year’s theme. While DB wore a classic tux with his buzzcut, Victoria’s vintage beaded lace wrap coat saw her top plenty of best dressed lists.
2011: ‘Fits for the royal wedding
While she was pregnant with daughter Harper, Victoria wore an A-line design from her own collection with platform heels to the wedding of William and Kate. David matched her in navy tails by Ralph Lauren. Ensuring their looks were royal wedding-appropriate, they added a fascinator by Philip Treacy and a top hat, respectively.
2012: Fashion power couple
At the Vanity Fair party for the Oscars in 2012, Victoria wore a grey bandage dress from her own label while David wore a classic tux. The real standout however, was her latest emerald engagement ring.
2018: Another royal wedding
For Harry and Meghan’s wedding in Windsor, Victoria wore one of her own designs in navy, though the mermaid skirt, buckle neckline and power shoulders ensured it had a directional feel. A Dior Homme suit with tails worn over a grey double-breasted vest with a chain showed flair from her husband.
2020: Family FROW
By now, the Victoria Beckham shows in Paris are a family affair. While the kids go bold in prints and florals, for David, a classic navy suit quietly matches the white shirt and black wide legs his wife will wear to make her bow during the show’s finale. There style is simpatico by this point.
2023: His ‘n’ hers suits
At the premiere of David’s new Netflix biography, the whole family walked the navy carpet in his ‘n’ hers suiting. A crisp white blazer and cropped flared trousers from Victoria’s own label were matched with a box clutch and two-tone heels, while David wore a deep navy suit, skinny tie and loafers. A united fashion front has become these two’s signature.
