The many faces of David Beckham

Braids, sarong, Mohawk and more – is there anything the great man can’t do?

The likes of Paul Newman, Steve McQueen and Robert Redford would all grace any style icons list. But one man stands alone. One man has changed his look more times than Madonna this past 20 years, taking in all manner of styles.

Some have worked (the shaved head), some have not (the braids), some have even become a national talking point (sarong-gate), but each time Beckham has remained unique and true to himself, and for that alone, he must be commended.

Here, we present some of the many faces of Brand Beckham from down the years.

  • Curtains (1995-97):

    Curtains (1995-97):

    David Beckham first burst to prominence in the mid-1990s as… More details

    Curtains (1995-97):

    Curtains (1995-97):

    David Beckham first burst to prominence in the mid-1990s as a fresh-faced lad with a cracking right peg. He had the good looks, but finding the right haircut would take time. He kicked things off with these classic curtains.

    Get it right – your Beckham. Get it wrong – you’re a scheming estate agent.

  • Bleach blond (start of 1998):

    Bleach blond (start of 1998):

    Beckham the footballing chameleon was starting to take… More details

    Bleach blond (start of 1998):

    Bleach blond (start of 1998):

    Beckham the footballing chameleon was starting to take shape, here encouraging millions of men to reach for the bleach.

  • Beard (June 1999):

    Beard (June 1999):

    While on England duty, Beckham sported a feathered hair-do,… More details

    Beard (June 1999):

    Beard (June 1999):

    While on England duty, Beckham sported a feathered hair-do, while also showing off sideburns and a trace of a pirate-esque beard and moustache. There’d be more on the facial hair front over the coming years. Much more.

  • Shaved head (October 2000):

    Shaved head (October 2000):

    It would be no exaggeration to say that the shaved head was… More details

    Shaved head (October 2000):

    Shaved head (October 2000):

    It would be no exaggeration to say that the shaved head was an international incident. Will we look back and blush at our Beckham obsession in years to come? Given it shows no signs of abating, probably not.

  • Mohawk (May 2001):

    Mohawk (May 2001):

    Ah, the Mohawk. You can laugh now, but men actually had… More details

    Mohawk (May 2001):

    Mohawk (May 2001):

    Ah, the Mohawk. You can laugh now, but men actually had this done after seeing the great man rocking the Native American special. Doesn’t look that threatening, thanks to Beckham’s megawatt smile.

  • Beckham goes gangsta (August 2001):

    Beckham goes gangsta (Augus…

    “Straight outta Leytonstone.” Beckham went for the… More details

    Beckham goes gangsta (August 2001):

    Beckham goes gangsta (August 2001):

    “Straight outta Leytonstone.” Beckham went for the combination of a line in his head, coupled with a nick in the eyebrow, as Compton met Carrington.

  • The human peacock (June 2002):

    The human peacock (June 2002):

    It was around this time that men started taking longer to… More details

    The human peacock (June 2002):

    The human peacock (June 2002):

    It was around this time that men started taking longer to get ready than their significant others. Not only was Beckham’s hair lovingly textured, but this was when male grooming went mainstream. All largely thanks to Beckham.

  • Alice band (February 2003):

    Alice band (February 2003):

    Scar optional. Beckham made this most unlikely of signings… More details

    Alice band (February 2003):

    Alice band (February 2003):

    Scar optional. Beckham made this most unlikely of signings having been accidentally struck in the face by a boot, which had been kicked by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

  • Braids (May 2003):

    Braids (May 2003):

    Hands up. Who forgot the braids? Yes, a few of you. This… More details

    Braids (May 2003):

    Braids (May 2003):

    Hands up. Who forgot the braids? Yes, a few of you. This actually happened.

  • Ponytail (May-June 2003):

    Ponytail (May-June 2003):

    Curtains. Check. Shaved head. Check. Er, braids. Check.… More details

    Ponytail (May-June 2003):

    Ponytail (May-June 2003):

    Curtains. Check. Shaved head. Check. Er, braids. Check. What follicular frontier was Beckham yet to conquer? Ah, yes! The ponytail.

  • Cold Feet (November 2007):

    Cold Feet (November 2007):

    Tailored suit? Tick. Pristine white shirt? Tick. Polished… More details

    Cold Feet (November 2007):

    Cold Feet (November 2007):

    Tailored suit? Tick. Pristine white shirt? Tick. Polished shoes? Tick? Socks? Doh. As much as he got right, Becks fell short of top-to-toe style when he went sockless during a promotional appearance in Sydney. It’s a look no one’s pulled off since Don Johnson in Miami Vice circa 1984.

  • Cuddly Becks (April 2008):

    Cuddly Becks (April 2008):

    For many, this is the quintessential Beckham: closely… More details

    Cuddly Becks (April 2008):

    Cuddly Becks (April 2008):

    For many, this is the quintessential Beckham: closely cropped hair, less-cropped beard and beaming smile: Beckham’s sun-drenched golden years in LA.

  • Calling time (August 2009):

    Calling time (August 2009):

    As Beckham entered the winter of his England career, he… More details

    Calling time (August 2009):

    Calling time (August 2009):

    As Beckham entered the winter of his England career, he went for this summery crop: grade 0 at the sides, with a boyish mop on top. Back of the net.

  • Wartime Becks (summer 2012):

    Wartime Becks (summer 2012):

    Part Stephen Fry’s General Melchett, part Armstrong &… More details

    Wartime Becks (summer 2012):

    Wartime Becks (summer 2012):

    Part Stephen Fry’s General Melchett, part Armstrong & Miller’s slang-speaking airmen, Beckham rolled back the years to the First World War with this spiffing bushy moustache. As part of the summer of sport, this was Beckham’s own tribute to Britain.

  • Modern Becks (Early December 2012):

    Modern Becks (Early Decembe…

    The great man is currently pulling off a fetching beard… More details

    Modern Becks (Early December 2012):

    Modern Becks (Early December 2012):

    The great man is currently pulling off a fetching beard with mid-length hair. By the time you read this, there’s a strong chance it’s changed.

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