Charting David Beckham's style journey in 43 photos: How the footballer found his fashion signature

Once upon a time, there wasn't a noughties trend the man didn't sport

David Beckham, in his team kit, plays for Manchester United during a match on May 10, 1993. Shaun Botterill /Allsport

David Beckham, in a team top, poses for a portrait for the England football team on February 10, 1997. Stu Forste / Allsport

David Beckham, in an adidas tracksuit, runs with the baton during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, on July 25, 2002. Getty Images

David Beckham, in a khaki knit and highlights, unveils his range of boys' clothing for DB07 at the Urbis Centre in Manchester, England, on September 19, 2002. Getty Images

David Beckham, in ripped jeans and a white blazer, arrives at the Melia Fenix hotel on July 1, 2003 in Madrid, Spain. Getty Images

David Beckham, in distressed jeans and a leather jacket, unveils his autobiography at Waterstones on November 17, 2003 in London, England. Getty Images

David Beckham, in a fur-trimmed coat over a blazer, poses during the premiere of a new Pepsi commercial at the Palacio Gaviria on February 26, 2004 in Madrid, Spain. Getty Images

David, in jeans, beads and a bandana 'kerchief, and Victoria Beckham arrive at 19 Management's 19th anniversary party at the Royal Albert Hall on April 19, 2004 in London, England. Getty Images

David Beckham, in a velvet blazer and jeans, unveils his DVD 'Really Bend it Like Beckham' in London, England, on December 1, 2004. Getty Images

David Beckham, in a blazer and silk-blend scarf, attends the premiere of a new Pepsi advert at Circulo de Belles Artes on February 23, 2005 in Madrid, Spain. Getty Images

David, in a classic tux, and Victoria Beckham arrive at the Laureus World Sports Awards at the Estoril Casino in Portugal on May 16, 2005. Getty Images

Victoria and David Beckham, in a waistcoat and flat cap, attend the 63rd Venice Film Festival on September 7, 2006 in Venice, Italy. Getty Images

David Beckham, in a pale blue blazer and half-tucked shirt, signs copies of his new book at Waterstones on September 18, 2006 in London, England. Getty Images

David Beckham, with a 'Peaky Blinders'-esque cut and cravat, attends the Sport Industry Awards at Old Billingsgate on March 29, 2007 in London, England. Getty Images

Dame Helen Mirren and David Beckham, in an open-collared tux, arrive at the Great Britons Awards at London Television Studios on May 21, 2007 in London, England. Getty Images

David Beckham, with bleached locks and a brown leather jacket, presents on stage at the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium on July 1, 2007 in London, England. Getty Images

David Beckham, with a new mohawk and checked three-piece suit, attends the Soccer World Cup Final Draw at the CTICC on December 4, 2009 in Cape Town, South Africa. Getty Images

Prince William, David Beckham, in classic suiting and a striped tie, and Prince Harry attend an FA reception at the Saxon Hotel on June 19, 2010 in Johannesberg, South Africa. Getty Images

David Beckham, in a formal coat and classic tux, and son Brooklyn attend The Sun Military Awards at the Imperial War Museum in London, England, on December 15, 2010. Getty Images

David Beckham, in a cream cardigan and jeans, launches his new range for H&M on February 1, 2012 in London, England. Getty Images

Romeo Beckham, David Beckham, in checked tailoring, Cruz Beckham, Brooklyn Beckham and Victoria Beckham attend the press night of 'Viva Forever' at Piccadilly Theatre on December 11, 2012 in London, England. Getty Images

David Beckham, in a Belstaff jacket, attends the opening of Belstaff House on September 15, 2013 in London, England. Getty Images

David Beckham, in a dapper suit and tiebar, attends the premiere of 'The Class of 92' at Odeon West End on December 1, 2013 in London, England. Getty Images

David, in Ralph Lauren, and Victoria Beckham attend the Met Gala at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, US, on May 5, 2014. EPA

David, in Dior Homme, and Victoria Beckham attend the 60th London Evening Standard Theatre Awards at London Palladium on November 30, 2014 in London, England. Getty Images

David, in Dior Homme, and Victoria Beckham attend the annual British Fashion Awards at the Coliseum Theatre in London, England, on December 1, 2014. EPA

David, in a silk-trimmed tux, and Victoria Beckham attend the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty gala at the V&A in London, England, on March 12, 2015. EPA

David Beckham, in relaxed suiting and a tee, presents a new collection at the H&M Gran Via store on March 20, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. Getty Images

David Beckham, in a deep blue suit, attends the opening of the Breitling Boutique on June 3, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. Getty Images

David, in Burberry, and Victoria Beckham attend the British Fashion Awards at London Coliseum on November 23, 2015 in London, England. Getty Images

David Beckham, in Louis Vuitton, attends the Louis Vuitton menswear show at Paris Fashion Week on June 23, 2016 in Paris, France. Getty Images

David Beckham, in Tom Ford, and Priyanka Chopra attend the 70th Unicef Anniversary at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, US, on December 12, 2016. EPA

David Beckham, in Louis Vuitton, attends the Louis Vuitton menswear show at Paris Fashion Week on January 19, 2017 in Paris, France. Getty Images

Charlie Hunnam and David Beckham, in Ralph Lauren. attend the premiere of 'King Arthur: Legend of the Sword' at Leicester Square in London, England, on May 10, 2017. EPA

David Beckham, in Ralph Lauren, attends a Biotherm Homme presentation at Casa de Velazquez on June 20, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. Getty Images

David, in Louis Vuitton, and Victoria Beckham attend the Louis Vuitton menswear show at Paris Fashion Week on January 18, 2018 in Paris, France. Getty Images

David, in Dior Homme, and Victoria Beckham attend the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. Getty Images

David Beckham, in navy suiting, attends the Queen's Young Leaders Award ceremony at Buckingham Palace on June 26, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images

David Beckham, in Dior Homme, attends a Dior menswear show on November 30, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images

Victoria and David Beckham, in a camel coat and white tee, attend the Victoria Beckham x YouTube after-party at Marks Club on February 17, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images

Brooklyn and David Beckham, in a velvet tux, attend the 'Our Planet' premiere at the Natural History Museum on April 4, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images

David Beckham, in a charcoal two-piece, attends a Tudor event at Hotel VP Plaza Espana Design on April 29, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. Getty Images

David Beckham, in Tom Ford, attends the GQ Men of the Year Awards at Tate Modern on September 3, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images

On the pitch, he was a star from day one. On the red carpet, however, David Beckham took a little longer to find his fashion footing.

The former professional footballer, 45, has been stepping out in front of the cameras for decades, making his first team debut for Manchester United in 1992 at the tender age of 17.

The former LA Galaxy and AC Milan player, renowned for his bending free-kicks, also bent the style rules over the years, embracing some of the 21st century's most divisive trends (ripped jeans, unbuttoned shirts and beads, anyone?).

But, in recent years, Beckham has adopted a penchant for sleek tailoring, edgy off-duty dressing and an eye for signature knits, turning his wardrobe into a season-transcending collection of contemporary staples.

Of course, having a fashion designer for a wife probably helps.

Here, we take a look at how the sport star's style has evolved throughout his time in the spotlight.

Scroll through the gallery above to see more images of David Beckham through the years.