The Evolution of Beckham Style: A Journey of Matched Outfits and Iconic Fashion Statements

Revisiting pop culture history, CNN Style presents "Remember When?" - a series that nostalgically explores the iconic fashion choices of celebrities throughout the years. Originally published in 2020, this article takes a closer look at the transformation of David and Victoria Beckham's fashion legacy. As social media buzzes over the release of Netflix's "Beckham" documentary, it's evident that their journey from humble beginnings to becoming respected fashion moguls and style icons wasn't always a smooth one.

One cannot easily forget the times when they were seen together in perfectly matching outfits. In Britain, during the late 1990s to early 2000s, it was a common sight to open a newspaper and come across Posh and Becks, showcasing their synchronized fashion choices, which have since become known as the epitome of #couplegoals.

In 2001, during a screening of the cult movie "Withnail and I," they chose to wear head-to-toe brown attire. David made a questionable fashion choice by wearing a trench coat reminiscent of the Matrix style. Two years later, at the MTV Movie Awards, they decided on elegant white outfits adorned with subtle jeweled embellishments (pictured above and later replicated by Madame Tussauds). And let's not forget their 1999 wedding, where they initially wore cream attire and later changed into purple outfits to cut their cake with an unnecessarily large saber.

View this post on InstagramA post shared by Victoria Beckham (@victoriabeckham)

However, a few weeks prior, there was an even more memorable and synchronized fashion statement.

At the pinnacle of Beckham-mania, the power couple made a striking appearance at a Versace event in London, donning matching leather ensembles from head to toe. Victoria was on the brink of beginning work on a third Spice Girls album, while David had just played a key role in Manchester United's triumph in securing both English and European championships. In addition, their firstborn son, Brooklyn, had just been welcomed into the world, and the couple had recently acquired a comfortable family mansion affectionately nicknamed "Beckingham Palace" by the media.

The Versace-designed matching outfits, a tribute to the host of the evening, stole the limelight with their shiny jackets and pants that reflected the paparazzi's flashes. Surprisingly, these outfits were tighter than one would expect, adding a modern twist to the baggy 90s fashion. The next day, this attention-grabbing ensemble was splashed across the papers, ensuring its lasting impact.

"What were we thinking?" David Beckham would later say, looking back at some of the couple's matching outfits.

Justin Goff/UK Press/Getty Images

The garments' season inappropriateness is often overlooked, considering it was the middle of June. British summers are typically mild enough to wear all-leather without perspiring. It is possible that this explains why David and Victoria chose to unzip their collars slightly, revealing small glimpses of skin resembling keyhole necklines. However, despite the bold appearance, their attitude seemed lacking. They resembled friendly bikers stopping at an English village pub for orange juice. David, with his floppy hair, completed the ensemble with flat-toed loafers, but he appeared uncertain about the idea from the start.

That night, there was a sheepishness in his eyes, suggesting he knew he would eventually regret the decision. And indeed, he did.

"This is incredible," he exclaimed on Instagram, sharing the memorable photograph as a tribute to his wedding anniversary in 2017. He further explained in an interview with H&M's magazine, "They were Versace outfits. However, when I reflect on it now, I can't help but wonder, What were we thinking? We laugh about it now. I remember thinking it was fantastic until we experienced it as a couple."

In contrast, Victoria has been more reluctant to distance herself from the past. "I never feel embarrassed or regretful about anything," she confidently stated in her 2018 interview with Grazia.

And why should she? Firstly, as the owner of a well-regarded fashion brand, although it has only recently started generating profits, Posh now carries enough credibility as a designer to avoid inquiries regarding her past fashion selections.

But, more significantly, the ensembles fulfilled their intended purpose flawlessly.

The British public's fascination with the fashion choices of the Beckhams could have been influenced by the mocking tone of tabloids towards their display of newfound wealth, but this media attention ultimately worked in their favor. Even their most questionable outfits played a role in solidifying their position as one of the most lucrative brands in the realm of contemporary entertainment.

The Beckhams pictured at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding at Windsor Castle in 2018.

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Coordinated style allowed Victoria Adams and David Beckham to transition from being seen as individuals to being known as "Posh and Becks," a nickname so widely recognized that it was included in the Collins Concise English Dictionary. They excel in creating a unified identity that surpasses previous famous couples like Hugh Grant and Liz Hurley, while also setting the stage for future power couples (unlike TomKat and Brangelina, their relationship endured).

Nowadays, the Beckhams adopt a more sophisticated approach to matching their outfits. Their collective style has developed from simply imitating each other to perfectly complementing one another. For example, their elegant navy ensembles at Buckingham Palace in 2017, or the white-tie attire they wore to the Met Gala, where they effortlessly fit in on fashion's grandest platform.

And sure, the leather was bad, but at least it wasnt Britney and Justin in all-denim bad.