Spice Girls’ 30th anniversary of single Wannabe: The band’s best fashion over the years

This July marks 30 years since the release of the Spice Girls’ iconic debut single Wannabe, which remains a pop culture classic to this day.

Released on July 8 1996, the legendary track spent seven consecutive weeks at the top of the UK charts and four weeks at number one in the US and paved the way for a string of unforgettable hits, including Who Do You Think You Are, Stop, and Viva Forever.

Beyond their chart-topping success, the English girl group became just as famous for their distinctive personal styles.

As many of us continue to yearn for another reunion, here’s a well-needed nostalgic look back of some of their standout fashion moments throughout the years…

Early years

Although matching or heavily coordinated outfits was a defining visual trend for Nineties girl groups, The Spice Girls tore up the rulebook and used clothes as a visual shorthand for their individual personalities.

In their early years, posh spice Victoria Beckham become renowned for her minimalist style and little black dresses, while sporty spice Mel C stuck to her utilitarian and athletic looks.

Scary spice Mel B’s signature leopard print contrasted to baby spice Emma Bunton’s cutesy girly style, while ginger spice Geri Halliwell rocked fiery red locks, hot pants and chunky platforms.

When someone mentions The Spice Girls, it’s likely that Geri’s iconic Union Jack dress that she wore at the 1997 Brit Awards immediately springs to mind.

This look is one of the most celebrated outfits in pop culture history and remains a beloved costume choice for Nineties-themed parties and Halloween.

The girl group similarly delighted fans at the 1997 MTV Europe Music Awards in a vibrant mix of metallic and animal prints. Mel B embraced her playful side in a neon green python-print two piece and space buns while Geri showed some skin in a glitzy red dress.

The following year, they returned to the Brit Awards in cool top and trouser combos and fun mini dresses.

Suited and booted

For the release of their 1997 Spice World film, the pop stars entered a tailoring phase, and turned up to every stop of the promo tour in matching suits.

In London’s Leicester Square they opted for black pinstripe pantsuits and in Los Angeles they looked angelic in white.

Five become four

When Geri departed the group in May 1998, in the years that followed the quartet experimented with some of the biggest and most daring trends of the early 00s, such as ultra-low-rise, leather and PVC outfits.

At the 2000 Brit Awards, they shone onstage in glamorous Y2K metallic outfits and received the Outstanding Contribution to British Music Award.

Reunions

Fast forward to 2007 and four became five again.

Mel B, Mel C, Emma and Victoria swapped sparkles and bold prints for more understated muted black and red outfits, while Geri donned a cream boho maxi dress.

London 2012 Summer Olympics

The group returned for a one-off performance at the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony and took to the stage in modernised, mature interpretations of their signature personas.

Geri danced in a strapless red mini dress that incorporated a Union Jack bustle, Victoria strutted her stuff in a glamorous black gown and Emma wore a bright pink dress. And both Mel B and Mel C opted for showstopping catsuits –  embellished and white respectively.

All five members also gathered at the historic St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel in June 2012 for a photocall to launch Viva Forever!, a jukebox musical featuring songs from the Spice Girls– and all glowed in their elegant neutral looks.

Their styles have all matured over time (Ian West/PA)

Recently

Nowadays sightings of all five Spice Girls together are incredibly rare as they have each gone onto branch out and pivot their focus onto solo careers, businesses and families.

Emma debuted a pastel pink hair transformation in 2018 when the girl group, excluding Victoria, took over the Heart Breakfast studio to discuss their 2019 reunion tour.

Mel B stayed fiercely loyal to her leopard print in a cosy coat, Mel C looked relaxed in her winning effortless jeans and a white tee combo, while Geri stayed true to her go-to monochromatic, classy style.

Even though all the Spice Girls are now on different paths, nods to their early styles still remain.