Victoria Beckham is, in many ways, a master of reinvention; she has, when it comes to sartorial matters, enjoyed many phases that have led to her accomplishing a clear idea of her personal style. From the Gucci dresses she wore as a Spice Girl to the ultra-short shorts of her peak WAG era, VB – as she’s known – has spent the past 18 years as a designer, during which time she has honed an aesthetic that combines a kind of sensuality with easy-going glamour. Gone are the platform heels and big hair and, in their place, a much quieter, more confident style.
Beckham offers us all a lesson in sticking to what works for you – whether that’s a certain kind of silhouette, colour palette or specific pieces. She regularly wears tailoring, for example, sticking to wide-leg trousers with a tucked-in top to create her perfect proportions. When it comes to dresses, she chooses form-fitting cuts with clean lines – nothing too fussy or with a lot of detail.
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As a former Bazaar Woman of the Year and cover star, we’ve interviewed VB many times over the years, during which she’s revealed her thoughts on style. In 2020, for example, she shared her life lessons in an exclusive video, reminding us that feeling good is the key to looking good.
So, here are the five key style lessons we’re taking from VB into the new season that’s stretching out ahead of us.
1/ Confidence is key
“Accept who you are, and make the best version of who you are”
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As one of the most-photographed women in the world, Beckham has, inevitably, faced much scrutiny over the years. She has been outspoken about the insecurities she battled when she was younger, but now says she accepts herself in a way that allows her to move through the world with more confidence. As she previously told Avril Mair, Bazaar’s fashion director, “Do I think of myself as beautiful? No, absolutely not. But I make the best of what I have. I see my imperfections and flaws and I smile: it’s who I am and I’m not going to try to change that. It’s taken me a long, long time to recognise that… actually I’m alright.”
2/ Find and embrace your personal style
“Just stay true to yourself and always make sure that you’re comfortable and that you feel confident in what you’re wearing.”
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Once you find those pieces that give you that confidence, stick with them. It’s a rule of thumb Beckham has continued to follow, returning to her favoured tailored silhouettes and sleek slip dresses time and time again. Even when it comes to her accessories, VB sticks to a winning formula – just look at the heeled mules she’s been wearing on repeat for the entire summer.
3/ Elegance lies in simplicity
“I don’t want to wear things that are complicated.”
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Beckham has become a champion for minimalist style in recent years, often preferring clean lines, tonal neutrals and very little print. It’s a straightforward and effortless approach that always results in an elegant finish, whether she’s wearing one of her own satin gowns on the red carpet or dressing down in shorts and a shirt on holiday.
4/ Be open to change
“I’m always developing what I want in my wardrobe and I think it’s important that evolves, so you don’t get stuck in a rut, shall we say.”
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Beckham’s fashion evolution has been well documented over the years, so it’s no surprise that she’s a champion of making changes that allow your look to grow. She has always favoured polished pieces that feel glamorous but, thanks to a bit of experimentation along the way, has managed to develop a personal style that’s reliable without ever being boring.
5/ Experiment with colour
“What my strengths are… I see those as beautiful clothes, great silhouettes, and strange colours that you wouldn’t typically put together”
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VB is renowned for her love of unexpected colours, regularly pairing surprising combinations that somehow just work. She showcases this in her runway collections, yes, but also in her own outfits; she often opts for bold, vibrant shades top-to-toe. Whether it’s purple and chartreuse or pink and lime green, Beckham’s ensembles are a masterclass in pulling off colour – the secret is to keep silhouettes simple and, if in doubt, just add a bright accessory to an otherwise pared-back colour palette.