Scary was back in a leopard print catsuit, Sporty was tracksuit-clad and Ginger once again donned a Union Jack dress to eyepopping effect.
But as the Spice Girls burst onto the stage for the first date in their much-hyped comeback tour, it was clear to the audience what a difference a decade makes.
For aside from the retro outfits recycled for nostalgic fans, there was little about the five-strong band bearing any resemblance to the last time they performed together.
But as the Spice Girls burst onto the stage for the first date in their much-hyped comeback tour, it was clear to the audience what a difference a decade makes.
For aside from the retro outfits recycled for nostalgic fans, there was little about the five-strong band bearing any resemblance to the last time they performed together.
While everything about the show was big - from the no-expense spared budget to the pyrotechnics and dramatic light show - the same could not be said of the quintet.
Gone was the puppy fat they boasted when they first soared to the top of the charts in 1996.
Instead slimmed-down Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown and Melanie Chisholm were shadows of their former selves when they took to the stage once again.
Gone was the puppy fat they boasted when they first soared to the top of the charts in 1996.
Instead slimmed-down Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown and Melanie Chisholm were shadows of their former selves when they took to the stage once again.
In the years since they split, there have been three husbands, seven children and one divorce - not to mention some surgical enhancements.
Their weight has dramatically yo-yoed too with Mrs Beckham, 33 and Miss Halliwell, 35, in particular shedding pounds and admitting to suffering from eating disorders together with Miss Chisholm, 32.
Meanwhile despite having two children Miss Brown, 32, boasted a toned physique thanks to her strenuous routines on the TV show Dancing With the Stars while Miss Bunton, 31, has rapidly slimmed down just three months after giving birth to her son Beau.
Their weight has dramatically yo-yoed too with Mrs Beckham, 33 and Miss Halliwell, 35, in particular shedding pounds and admitting to suffering from eating disorders together with Miss Chisholm, 32.
Meanwhile despite having two children Miss Brown, 32, boasted a toned physique thanks to her strenuous routines on the TV show Dancing With the Stars while Miss Bunton, 31, has rapidly slimmed down just three months after giving birth to her son Beau.
That did not stop more than 15,000 fans being reduced to a hysterical frenzy when they performed in Vancouver on Sunday.
There were eight costume changes as they sang 22 tracks, accompanied by a troupe of semi-clad male dancers.
Designer Roberto Cavalli had faithfully recreated some of the most memorable garb from their early days, adding a glamorous twist on outfits such as the Union Jack dress with rhinestone gems and Swarovski crystals.
There were eight costume changes as they sang 22 tracks, accompanied by a troupe of semi-clad male dancers.
Designer Roberto Cavalli had faithfully recreated some of the most memorable garb from their early days, adding a glamorous twist on outfits such as the Union Jack dress with rhinestone gems and Swarovski crystals.
But while a younger Miss Halliwell struggled to stop her curves from bursting out of the skimpy outfit at the Brit awards in 1997, she had no such problem in her recent performance.
Instead, minus her voluptuous figure, she had to yank it up repeatedly in a bid to keep it on.
Mrs Beckham's footballer husband David flew in from New Zealand specially for the concert, presenting each of the women with a gold bracelet beforehand as a good luck charm.
Instead, minus her voluptuous figure, she had to yank it up repeatedly in a bid to keep it on.
Mrs Beckham's footballer husband David flew in from New Zealand specially for the concert, presenting each of the women with a gold bracelet beforehand as a good luck charm.
Posh Spice, who posed for her male dancers who were pretending to be paparazzi during the performance, confessed she was anxious about her husband seeing the show.
Mrs Beckham said: "David turned up today but he hasn't been at any of the rehearsals because he's been away working so I'm nervous about what he's going to think about the show.
The women had been heavily criticised for failing to sing live in the run-up to the weekend performance, despite staging two earlier warm-up gigs.
Yesterday their spokesman said they had sung on stage - albeit with the aid of click track, a device which kicks in to bolster their performance when their voices fail.
Mrs Beckham said: "David turned up today but he hasn't been at any of the rehearsals because he's been away working so I'm nervous about what he's going to think about the show.
The women had been heavily criticised for failing to sing live in the run-up to the weekend performance, despite staging two earlier warm-up gigs.
Yesterday their spokesman said they had sung on stage - albeit with the aid of click track, a device which kicks in to bolster their performance when their voices fail.
Reviewers were less effusive in their praise with Mrs Beckham - who has since made her fortune as a self-styled fashion icon - in particular being singled out for a "wooden" performance.
Marsha Lederman, of the Canadian Globe and Mail, said: "Posh Spice looked uncomfortable in her tightly-corseted outfits and carefully coiffed hair, which she spent a fair amount of time clearing from her face.
"Her dance moves were stiff and at one point at least she started to sing a line before it was time."
Despite speculation there have been rifts and a power struggle since announcing their comeback, the women insisted they were close.
The five held hands and embraced each other throughout the show, with Geri and Victoria going to great lengths to display their affection towards each other.
Miss Chisholm told the audience: "It is just great to all be back together."
Marsha Lederman, of the Canadian Globe and Mail, said: "Posh Spice looked uncomfortable in her tightly-corseted outfits and carefully coiffed hair, which she spent a fair amount of time clearing from her face.
"Her dance moves were stiff and at one point at least she started to sing a line before it was time."
Despite speculation there have been rifts and a power struggle since announcing their comeback, the women insisted they were close.
The five held hands and embraced each other throughout the show, with Geri and Victoria going to great lengths to display their affection towards each other.
Miss Chisholm told the audience: "It is just great to all be back together."
Miss Halliwell added: "We are basically working mothers. I do not have a relationship with anyone else like I do with the girls.
"It is like family - sometimes I'm sure I get on their nerves and they get on mine but I love them on such a base level."
The Spice Girls were a phenomenon in the 1990s, bursting onto the pop scene 11 years ago with their debut single Wannabe and launching "girl power."
Miss Halliwell left the band in acrimonious circumstances in 1998 and the band limped on until 2000, when the women tried - and failed - to have solo careers.
"It is like family - sometimes I'm sure I get on their nerves and they get on mine but I love them on such a base level."
The Spice Girls were a phenomenon in the 1990s, bursting onto the pop scene 11 years ago with their debut single Wannabe and launching "girl power."
Miss Halliwell left the band in acrimonious circumstances in 1998 and the band limped on until 2000, when the women tried - and failed - to have solo careers.
Posh Spice has enjoyed the greatest success since leaving the group, marrying Beckham and designing her own fashion label.
Ginger, Scary, Sporty, Baby and Posh Spice stand to make £60 million from the tour, a newly-released greatest hits album and a raft of marketing deals.
They are set to play their first UK date next week in London's O2 arena.
Ginger, Scary, Sporty, Baby and Posh Spice stand to make £60 million from the tour, a newly-released greatest hits album and a raft of marketing deals.
They are set to play their first UK date next week in London's O2 arena.
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