David Beckham Style: “Bend It Like Beckham”

After being voted Best Dressed Man by GQ readers two years in a row, this year David Beckham has been voted Worst Dressed and criticized for his nouveau riche, “chav” style. The football star who once reigned supreme as fashion king now appears to be waning in popularity and influence. However, men can still find inspiration in his fashion choices, which span the spectrum from hot and hip Dolce & Gabbana designer wear (Beckham’s absolute favorite) to wrap skirt sarongs, shoulder bags, and, rumor has it, his wife’s thong underwear.

If Beckham style suits you than you will want to read these fair advices. To channel the vibe of the penultimate “metrosexual”, look both outward to the latest trends and inward to your own inclinations, no matter how wild they may be. Mix the blatantly pop and trendy, such as logo sports clothing, with the completely unusual - shoulder bags and women’s scarves - and the dazzlingly prissy - glittering diamond watch and stud earring. David reportedly gets a $500 haircut every week and has been known to fly his stylist to wherever he may be. Why not treat yourself to a high-end haircut, spa massage, or facial? Go all out and dress to the nines. Feel free to fluctuate from week to week between superstyled, buffed, and groomed to gritty and rough, trading in your pinstripe pants and cufflinks for tattered denim and distressed leather.

Muster the unshakable confidence required to pull off any hair style, be it mohawk, high ponytail, or buzz cut, and get to know your hair’s character range, from sleek to messy.� As the mood strikes, follow trends of the pack or diverge wildly off the beaten fashion path, into the realm of women’s wear and pretty boy foppery. Little known to men is the fact that a masculine guy who is comfortable enough with his sexuality to blur gender fashion lines can be a huge turn-on to women. Think about how sexy a woman in a sharply tailored power suit can be. The phenomenon works both ways. How about a little black Speedo?

Beckham has made a habit of setting runway trends with unexpected clothing details such as a cummerbund worn in a casual setting or dressed-down sneakers with formal wear. Follow his example and play with clothing pieces out of context. The charm of David’s style lies in the element of surprise, and the best lesson to be learned from him is that bending and flowing with and against the tide keeps things interesting.