In a career spanning almost seven decades, the legendary Paul McCartney – who celebrated his birthday in June – is as fab today as he was in 1961 when he joined the British band, The Beatles.
The frontman of the iconic quartet has changed dramatically over his 82 years of life and is still a remarkable entertainer who continues to release hit after hit, and deliver look after look.
Keep reading to learn about the octogenarian’s timeless sense of styles!
Through the 1960s, Beatlemania peaked and left an indelible mark on popular culture, fashion, and grooming that continues to resonate today.
Dressed in sharp suits, The Beatles redefined style with their iconic mop-top haircuts, characterized by its side-swept fringe and textured appearance, that became a global phenomenon and synonymous with the band.
Over the years, fans have seen Paul McCartney sporting various hairstyles like shorter shags, a beard and mustache, all classic styles and in line with popular trends of each era.
The same year he married Linda (1969 to her death in 1998), the Beatles’ frontman added to his shaggy crimson hair, a thick beard that became the envy of many men.
The beard even has its own Instagram page and is “Dedicated to the finest beard in rock n roll history.”
Live and let dye
McCartney experimented with different lengths and styles, adapting to changing trends while maintaining his own distinctive look.
Unfortunately, he also had a few fails with attempting to keep his tresses timeless.
Hi everybody, I’d like to thank you all for the great birthday wishes you sent to me and the love that came with them. I once was 33, then I was 45, and now I’m 78 and spinning at 78 rpm!!! Keep rocking, many thanks and lotsa love Paul ❤️#FlashbackFriday pic.twitter.com/feAiW6vDcJ
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) June 26, 2020
According to the New York Daily News, when the songwriter was married to Heather Mills (2002 to 2008), he purchased an off-the-shelf hair colouring kit and made a mess of dyeing his locks in the bathroom of his home in the Hamptons.
Panicked, Mills called in the experts from a salon in Manhattan to repair his hair.
“She called the salon in a very agitated way. People were making fun of the colour. He was colouring his hair on his own using a box colour,” the salon told the outlet.
Silver fox
After years of refusing to accept his hair was starting to show its age, the singer finally “Let it Be” and started aging with grace.
In 2018, he shocked fans when at 76, he appeared on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon with a head of stunning silver hair framing his face.
McCartney, who is rumored to have been dying his locks brown for 30 years, ditched the hair dye and embraced his inner silver fox.
The Daily Mail writes, “Just months ago, he was still showing off a head of dark hair – although in January he had allowed a hint of grey to show through on his sideburns, perhaps as a first step towards a more natural look.”
Since releasing his critically acclaimed 18th solo album McCartney III, which he recorded in 2020 while in lockdown during the Covid lockdown, McCartney’s silver hair has become a signature look, adding to his distinguished and mature appearance.
Free flowing shag
In March 2024, McCartney was seen frolicking through the sands of St. Bart’s with Shevell, whom he married in 2011.
Playfully running along the island’s beaches, McCartney is pictured wearing a long-sleeved black shirt and sunset-print shorts with his hair flying in the wind behind him.
The 64-year-old Shevell, cousin of the late journalist Barbara Walters, was sporting black shorts and a patterned pink, orange and white long-sleeved top, while wading in the water.
And recently, McCartney shared a social media post, wishing his father along with his former bandmate Ringo Starr a happy birthday.
Paul McCartney’s hairstyles and personal style have evolved across generations, but his early mop-top look—paired with a sharp suit—remains one of the most iconic images in music history. Today, as he embraces his silver hair and continues to perform and inspire, McCartney reflects the enduring energy of a true cultural legend. His ability to adapt while staying true to his artistic identity continues to resonate with fans of all ages. What’s your favorite era of Paul McCartney’s career? Share your thoughts and celebrate the timeless legacy of one of music’s most beloved artists.
