Victoria Beckham’s five summer style formulas (including embracing autumn hues)

Rory CroninWed, August 12, 2026 at 1:00 PM UTC

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When we imagine the artist formerly known as Posh Spice in her finery, it’s not generally kaftans over stringy bikinis and breezy ease that come to mind. More often than not, she’s a masterclass in tailoring and serious evening attire. Yet, after her recent stint as a relapsed Wag during the World Cup, there was something refreshingly “summery” about Lady Victoria Beckham’s wardrobe. Out with the formal suiting and in with softer silhouettes and a relaxed mood, a subtle shift from the tried-and-tested VB uniform.

Rest assured, Victoria has still not been seen in a flat shoe on her Med yachting holiday, despite all that pedantry about footwear and boats; only a broken foot in 2024 came close to putting this woman in flat shoes. A minimum of three inches has accompanied her throughout this summer, up a Formentera rockface no less. This woman really does take her responsibility to the community tremendously seriously. But she has loosened up during her summer of Mediterranean jaunts and American tours.

Here’s how she tweaks her distinctive formula for the warmer months.

Sultry burgundy

Victoria Beckham proves burgundy isn’t just for autumn in a slinky satin dress and matching heels - Backgrid

Traditionally an autumn hue, the colour burgundy evokes a leggy red rather than a summer rosé on a Saint-Tropez terrace (much like the one Victoria’s yacht docked near earlier this month). On a double-date night with Michael Jordan and his wife (casual as ever), she deftly demonstrated that burgundy isn’t a colour that needs to be confined to the winter months, as it works effortlessly with a biscuity tan. The colour is unexpected for mid-August; it’s subtle and nuanced for sultry evenings for those who aren’t keen on pastels or full tomato red.

The matching heels (because of course) make the fringed Hermès leather clutch a focal point worth discussing – perhaps as a tonal nod to David Beckham’s more relaxed linen look. The satin burgundy inspiration remains no less adaptable to your own wardrobe, as a top over dark navy linens or a midi dress over black palazzo trousers. Add gold jewellery to accent the burgundy’s burnished tones.

Ruched seam jersey dress, £145, Jigsaw; Satin dress, £210, Mango; Jolie Moi Midi dress, £75, John Lewis

The elevated white T-shirt

Victoria Beckham elevates the white T-shirt at the World Cup

Even though the World Cup semi-final didn’t go our way, as per tradition, it can’t be blamed on Victoria’s outfit being a bad-luck charm. The white T-shirt, perhaps VB aping the England home kit (or, most likely, because she looks good in it), highlights the importance of investing in a proper and well-engineered white T-shirt. As the most reliable of basics, Victoria relies upon it as a quality cornerstone of her own wardrobe; her own versions in the past have been made with high-hip length and straight-cut fits. Equally, the cut here is tailored but not skin-tight (that was her Baden-Baden era), cropped but not baring the midriff, making the look memorable without shouting too loudly. Paired with light-blue jeans, lighter hair and minimal jewellery, there’s a touch of that other dynastic icon, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, to it that makes the case even stronger for a good investment in a quality white T-shirt.

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Clean-cut t-shirt, £30, Cos; Cotton t-shirt, £17, Arket; Organic cotton t-shirt, £150, Victoria Beckham

Once a Wag...

‘Jeans and a nice top’ formula gets a polished twist in a silvery silk vest and white trousers - Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

Though Victoria in the stands was once a hilarious staple of commentary, she’s now something of a rarity on anything other than a runway or in (squeaky-clean) wellies in the Cotswolds. Which means she’s now firmly hung up her Wag-era wardrobe in favour of a tailored seriousness and sleek eveningwear. Pleasingly, during this searing summer, Victoria’s recent appearances alongside David proved that she’s not abandoned her roots as a siren in the stands. To support the lads against Norway, Victoria looked sophisticated but casual in a silvery silk vest top over white trousers – the VB take on “jeans and a nice top”. It’s a little bit sexy, but subtle in colour so as not to scream evening in the mid-afternoon Miami heat. Outside the stands, these softer metallic tones, enhanced by the silk fabric, could be stolen for equally elevated office wear. When paired with a white skinny jean, the look feels like an effortless office-to-evening staple that stands out.

Silk charmeuse top, £119, Lily Silk; Silk shirt, £148, Reiss; Exaggerated taper jeans, £185, Me+Em

Summer black

Making the case for black in the heat in a flowing viscose dress at her New York fragrance pop-up

Black for summer? Victoria seems to think so… in viscose, no less. She wore this outfit for the opening of her new fragrance pop-up in New York last month. She’s always been synonymous with the little black dress, but this version is something of an evolution and has become something of a go-to in her wardrobe. While the idea of a long, black (and not altogether breezy) dress might seem like an anathema to balmy weather, the lightweight, plant-based fabric makes it more workable in tropical environments (also handy for the top deck of one’s yacht). Unlike linen, it doesn’t crease. Alternatively, satin for the evening is cool in both senses of the word. In terms of accoutrements, add very little bare black sandals to let the non-colour make an impact.

Lyocell blend dress, £150, Jaeger; Jersey dress, £149, Whistles; Knitted dress, £150, Sezane

Beach neutrals

Opting for a subtle neutral print, accessorised with an Hermès Chypre sandal, leather tote and raffia hat - AKGS/G3online

Victoria doesn’t often do a pattern, preferring subtle prints in neutral tones to anything overly busy and vivid. It’s a lesson for all of us: choose a neutral base and quiet print to let the accessories shine. In this case, Victoria has gone for her tried-and-tested Hermès Chypre sandal, brown leather beach tote and raffia wide-brimmed bucket hat. The point of being beachside, especially if you’re Victoria Beckham, is not to be seen, after all. Neutrals go with everything and look excellent against a tan. What’s more, having a core set of neutrals on holiday means that you can add accents of colour or bold metallics in jewellery, particularly in the evening as the golden hour hits. Neutral doesn’t necessarily mean dowdy.

Linen dress, £278, Reformation; Braided leather bag, £350, Massimo Dutti; Leather sandals, £275, Essen

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