David Beckham’s Hair Is Straight Out of 2003

The former footballer has finally called it quits on his quiff

By Megan Gustashaw.

David Beckham hasn't played soccer professionally for a minute now, but we're still paying close attention to what he's doing with his hair (and clothes, and tattoos). This is partially because he’s a great looking guy, but mostly because we know his hair has an impact on a lot of other people’s hair. In 2015 Beckham’s signature fade was among the most searched for haircuts on the Internet, for example, and there are currently hundreds of thousands of tutorials on how to achieve the look on YouTube. But even before the “quiff” became his thing, Beckham was a grooming influencer. From buzz-cuts to bleached tips, Beckham’s hair has always been a reflection of the times.

Now, six years after adopting his famous fade, Beckham has changed his look yet again. Over the summer it became clear that the former footballer had grown out his hair, but it was mostly obscured by large hats and tiny ponytails. And then last week, Beckham decided to show off the 4,000-piece Lego Disney castle he constructed for his daughter in the middle of the night (Dad!), giving us a glimpse of his cut in all its chin-grazing glory. It looks remarkably like his 2003-era cut, but slightly less blonde and maybe a bit wispier due to the fact that he’s now well out of his twenties.

It’ll be entertaining to see how long Becks’ new look lasts, and whether he goes full Fabio again, wearing it down with everything from suits to spinning gear. More than anything, we’re taking his decision to call it quits on the quiff as confirmation that mid-length hair is in the process of replacing the fade as the go-to cut of choice among young, trendy men. As Beckham goes, so goeth the world.

This story originally appeared on GQ.

More from GQ:

The Hottest Women of the 21st Century

Brad Pitt's 50 Most Stylish GQ Moments

The Best Haircuts for Men

The 50 Best Things to Eat and Drink Right Now

Cristiano Ronaldo Has Mankind's Greatest Body

How to Get the Best Shave Ever