Gloria Steinem, a foundational figure in the feminist movement and journalist, passed away at age 92, with her death announced on Thursday. Throughout her career, her distinctive visual presentation became inseparable from her public identity and advocacy work, though her approach to personal style was rooted in pragmatism rather than aesthetic trends.
Steinem’s most recognizable feature—oversized aviator glasses worn over her center-parted hair—began as a practical choice. Coming from a nearsighted family, she purchased the men’s Ray-Ban Bausch & Lomb aviators in the late 1960s because she found standard women’s frames too small for her needs. She also found the glasses helpful as a tool to manage public speaking anxiety. Over time, this practical accessory became emblematic of her identity, achieving a level of iconic status comparable to Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s jabots or Anna Wintour’s sunglasses.
Steinem’s overall aesthetic—characterized by bell-bottoms, ribbed polo necks, low-slung concho belts, and miniskirts in her earlier career—reflected the fashion of the women’s liberation era while remaining relatable to her audience. She viewed clothing and image control as expressions of women’s agency and choice rather than conformity. Her bohemian-influenced wardrobe served a strategic purpose: it attracted attention that allowed her to deliver substantive messages on reproductive rights and systemic sexism. This approach challenged mainstream media stereotypes that depicted feminists as unattractive, demonstrating that women could be both stylish and intellectually serious.
As Steinem aged, her style evolved toward simplicity, eventually adopting an predominantly black wardrobe inspired by New York fashion conventions. She maintained consistent use of accessories, particularly belts, which she described as carrying resonance from pre-patriarchal periods. She also integrated activism pins directly into her clothing. Her wardrobe choices remained deliberate throughout her life—including wearing an “I had an abortion” T-shirt at age 70—serving as visual expressions of her political commitments.
Steinem’s influence on fashion extended beyond her personal style, with designers including Roland Mouret and Michael Kors incorporating her aesthetic into their work. Earlier this year, she auctioned 40 personal items from her New York brownstone to raise funds for her foundation, including the belts, jackets, and fringed pieces that defined her visual legacy as a political and intellectual force.
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