How Victoria Beckham Went From Spice Girl to Style Icon

When we think of impeccably chic women, we picture Victoria Beckham strutting hard in a streamlined sheath, statement sunglasses, and sky-high heels. The fashion-lover-cum-designer has nailed her signature style and often leaves us wondering: how does she do it? If you've done your research, as we have, then you'll realize this is a woman with a serious commitment to her look. While there have been undeniable changes in her fashionable aesthetic (like breaking her own no-flats rule), VB never does anything halfway; she rocks it head to toe.

In celebration of Victoria's 41st birthday, we're breaking down over 15 years of her enviable style to discover exactly how the icon transformed from Union Jack to high-fashion superlatives while capturing and holding the attention of one of the world's sexiest men.

— Additional reporting by Mandi Villa

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Source: FlameFlynet, Getty / NCP/Star Max

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Sporting a LND and some serious vocals, Posh performs at the Spice Girls' first-ever live performance in 1997.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Just one of the girls in a skin-tight tube dress at the Billboard Music Awards in 1997.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Victoria opted for a little neon slip dress for the 2000 VH1 Vogue Fashion Awards.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

In a plunging gown and lots of lace, VB channeled a flamenco dancer vibe with David in 2001.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

As one of the fashion pack, VB strikes a pose with Naomi Campbell, Stefano Gabbana, and Domenico Dolce in 2003.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Remember this all-white look the duo donned at the 2003 MTV Movie Awards?

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Sitting pretty and casual at a 2003 charity event. Is that a belly chain I spy?

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Fierce in lace-up, corseted animal print at a 2003 launch party for Rocawear.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Coordinated sultry red carpet looks for both again in 2004.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Pairing a blazer and jeans for a more relaxed vibe on the red carpet at the 2005 Rock & Republic Spring show.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

In a sexy cutout Cavalli, V looks just like a posh mermaid at a 2005 event.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Red and black ruffles, and still long, long locks for the 2006 Costume Institute Gala.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Quite the touristas. The ever-coordinated couple went khaki for their sightseeing at the International Venice Film Festival in in 2006.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Even shorter hair and a cropped jacket to match for a Chanel event in 2007.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Showing a lotta leg and some modelista poses on the MTV carpet once again for the 2007 MTV Movie Awards.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Part Lagerfeld, part Gaga in a bustier leotard and gloves for the Glamour Women of the Year Awards in 2007.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Posh got sporty to throw out the first pitch at a Dodgers game back in '07.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

A chicer Posh reprise at the 2007 Spice Girls reunion.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Adopting signature style in a fab sheath and shades in NYC.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Taking the stage at the 2007 VS Fashion Show, VB works the crowd in a floor-length black stunner.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Stepping out for the Costume Institute Gala in 2008, both the Beckhams go elegant and this time mix and match black and white.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

At the 2008 CFDA Awards, VB works the red carpet with Marc Jacobs and a frothy, textured mini.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Menswear with a femme edge for the launch of Victoria Beckham's jeans collection in Madrid in 2008.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

A little pixie look for the fashionista in February of last year.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

At 2010's Vanity Fair Oscar party in a one-shoulder. Oh so elegant.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Polished but still trendsetting in March 2010, Victoria's street style just gets better.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Victoria and BFF Eva Longoria hosted a fashion event in May 2010, and Victoria looked superchic in this strapless mini.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

At the Range Rover 40th Anniversary Party in 2010, Victoria went nude in a sexy sheath dress and ski-high heels.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

In July 2010, Victoria went short and sweet for Net-a-Porter.com's 10th birthday event in London.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Victoria was all legs while leaving her Upper East Side hotel in February 2010.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Victoria wore one of her own designs to her presentation during New York Fashion Week in September 2010.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Anything but mellow in yellow at the International Herald Tribune conference in November 2010.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Victoria looked stunning with a thigh-high slit at the British Fashion Awards in December 2010.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

A pregnant Victoria was snapped leaving JFK airport in her signatire cool-girl ensemble in February 2011.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Victoria walked New York City in a shaggy fur coat in February 2011.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Being pregnant didn't stop Victoria from getting dolled up for the royal wedding in April 2011 — she wore a navy tent dress with a fascinator and high heels.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Victoria headed out for a shopping spree in 2011 wearing a colorblock baby doll dress from her own collection.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

She wore her own designs to an industry event in late 2011.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Victoria shined in a slinky black gown at the British Fashion Awards in 2011.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

We love the menswear-inspired Victoria by Victoria Beckham frock that she sported to the launch of her collection at Harvey Nichols in 2012.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Victoria donned one of her signature body-conscious dresses at an event for her friend Eva Longoria in 2012.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Victoria and David made a stunning pair at the Vanity Fair Oscars party in 2012.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
FameFlynet

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

For an Easter Sunday outing in 2011, Victoria looked cool and casual in wide-legged J Brand jeans, a floaty black tank, and a handbag from her own collection.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
FameFlynet

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Victoria made her way through the airport in 2012, wearing a dress from her Fall '12 collection and Christian Louboutin heels.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

At the Valentino Master of Couture dinner in London in November 2012, Victoria punched up her style in a bright orange skirt suit, accented with a black blouse and black peep-toe booties.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

In September 2012, Victoria Beckham coordinated an orange formfitting sheath dress with Proenza Schouler cap-toe pumps in NYC.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
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Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Victoria struck her signature fierce pose in a black midi-length dress and blue-and-black ankle-strap pumps in London in 2013.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
Getty | David Krieger/Bauer-Griffin

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Victoria layered a cropped navy cardigan over her colorblock Victoria Beckham dress while out in NYC.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
FameFlynet

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

VB swapped her usually streamlined styles for a voluminous drop-waist Victoria Beckham dress while out and about in NYC.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
FameFlynet

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

The star donned her own designs in a rolled-collar cropped sleeveless sweater layered over a classic white top and slick black culottes during London Fashion Week in September 2013.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
FameFlynet

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Beckham stepped out in a knee-length white panel skirt, rich berry top, and coordinating pumps, while toting all of her NYC essentials in a just-walked-down-the-runway bag.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
Getty | NCP/Star Max

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Two-tone oxfords spiced up Victoria's monochrome style in February 2014.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
Getty | Mike Marsland
Getty | Mike Marsland

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

The designer was the picture of polish next to husband David Beckham at the the British Fashion Awards in 2014.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
Getty | James Devaney
Getty | James Devaney

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Out in Manhattan and looking impossibly cool in culottes in Feb. 2015.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
Getty | Karwai Tang
Getty | Karwai Tang

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Turning heads with David at her side at the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" exhibition in March 2015.

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution
Getty | Moses Ng
Getty | Moses Ng

Victoria Beckham Style Evolution

Making a statement in a sleek white ensemble for the 2015 amfAR Hong Kong Gala in March.