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 discover the octogenarian’s enduring flair for fashion and grooming!
In the 1960s, Beatlemania swept the world, leaving a lasting imprint on pop culture, style, and hair trends that still influence today’s looks.
The Beatles, clad in sleek suits, revolutionized fashion with their signature mop-top haircuts—defined by side-swept fringes and textured layers—that became a worldwide sensation and a defining image of the band.
Over the decades, Paul McCartney has embraced a range of hairstyles, from shorter shags to beards and mustaches, each reflecting the classic styles and trends of their time.
In 1969—the same year he married Linda, with whom he stayed until her passing in 1998—The Beatles’ frontman complemented his shaggy auburn hair with a full, rugged beard that quickly became the envy of men everywhere.
The beard even gained such iconic status that it now has its own Instagram page, proudly “Dedicated to the finest beard in rock ’n’ roll history.”
Live and Let Dye
Over the years, Paul McCartney has played with different hair lengths and styles, always evolving with the times while keeping his signature charm. But not every experiment was a hit—especially when it came to trying to preserve that youthful look.
In a heartfelt birthday message, McCartney once wrote:
“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 ❤️”
But according to the New York Daily News, one hair-coloring attempt during his marriage to Heather Mills (2002–2008) didn’t go as planned. McCartney reportedly tried using a store-bought dye kit in the bathroom of his Hamptons home—and the result was less than rock-star worthy.
Panicked by the outcome and the teasing that followed, Mills contacted a Manhattan salon in distress.
“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,” a salon representative told the outlet.
Silver Fox
After years of resisting the natural signs of aging, Paul McCartney finally decided to “Let It Be,” embracing a more graceful, authentic look.
During his 2023 GOT BACK tour 🎸🇦🇺, fans got to see a rock legend fully comfortable in his skin—and his silver strands.
Back in 2018, at age 76, McCartney surprised audiences when he appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon with a striking silver mane that beautifully framed his face. After reportedly dyeing his hair brown for three decades, he had officially stepped into his “silver fox” era.
According to The Daily Mail, “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 the release of his critically acclaimed 18th solo album, McCartney III—recorded during the 2020 lockdown—his silver hair has become part of his signature image, adding a touch of wisdom and elegance to his legendary presence.
Free-Flowing Shag
In March 2024, Paul McCartney was spotted enjoying a carefree stroll along the beaches of St. Bart’s with his wife, Nancy Shevell, whom he married in 2011.
Captured mid-laugh as he playfully ran across the sand, McCartney wore a breezy black long-sleeved shirt paired with vibrant sunset-print shorts—his iconic shaggy hair flowing freely in the wind.
Shevell, 64 and a cousin of the late journalist Barbara Walters, complemented the tropical vibe in black shorts and a colorful long-sleeved top in shades of pink, orange, and white as she waded through the clear island waters.
Not long after their beach escape, McCartney took to social media to wish both his father and former bandmate Ringo Starr a heartfelt happy birthday.
Fans quickly took to the comments section with heartfelt messages, showering the legends with love and admiration for still looking undeniably “fab.”
“Stop being so cute, old man,” one fan playfully teased, while another cleverly echoed the Beatles’ classic with, “We love you yeah yeah yeah.”
“You look great, Paul. Love your threads,” one admirer wrote, and another chimed in simply with, “You are so handsome.”
McCartney’s hairstyles have changed with the decades, but his iconic mop-top and tailored suit remain etched in pop culture history as a defining look of the Beatles era.
Throughout his remarkable career, McCartney has balanced a youthful energy with the wisdom of a music legend—always staying true to his distinctive style and effortless charisma.
