Gloria Steinem’s most famous—and oft-repeated—quotes naturally concern equality, women’s rights, resistance, and revolution. But the legendary journalist, pioneering feminist, and social movement organizer—who has died at the age of 92—also had a thing or two to teach us about style. Despite being criticized in the ’70s by those who felt her glamorous persona was at odds with her feminist ideology—“the miniskirted pinup girl of the intelligentsia,” as the Post reporter Maxine Cheshire dubbed her—Steinem never shied away from fashion.
“Fashion in the past meant conforming and losing oneself,” she said in the 2011 documentary Gloria. “Fashion in the present means being unique and finding oneself.”
True to her word, when it came to clothes, Steinem never followed the crowd. And as for being unique, few style signatures are as instantly recognizable as Steinem’s sunglasses, which she wore with the arms deliberately positioned over the top of her teased, textured, and highlighted hair.
An ae stereotypes and tired norms around feminine expression and body autonomy: Steinem knew fashion had the power to traverse the political frontlines. And her own aesthetic inspirations? Audrey Hepburn and her Holly Golightly highlights in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and Wonder Woman: Steinem famously led a campaign to restore the comic book character’s star-spangled outfit
Alongside her advocacy work, her sense of style
Alongside her advocacy work, her sense of style was committed to screen with the Hulu series Mrs America, which explored her role in the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment through bell-bottomed, paisley shirt-wearing Rose Byrne playing Steinem. Then there was The Glorias, which saw both Julianne Moore and Alicia Vikander step into Steinem’s flares. So, it’s okay to be obsessed with Gloria Steinem’s style: it’s a stark reminder that there’s a power in a signature look, more in playing with it, and a small freedom in choosing what to put on your body every day that you show up in the world.
Below, we revisit some style notes from the late, great feminist hero. Make your own rules…
Whether she was showing out for a female political candidate; at the office of Ms, the feminist magazine she co-founded with Dorothy Pitman Hughes in 1971; or marching for women’s rights, ’70s Gloria Steinem was most often to be found in a polo-neck and flares, accessorized with a low-slung belt, waist-grazing pendant, and any number of slogan badges.
In 2015, Steinem confirmed in an interview with Lena Dunham that this remains her “power outfit.” Asked what she wears when she needs to feel like “a rad bitch,” Steinem replied: “Boots, pants, a sweater or a T-shirt. A concha belt. Something that’s Native American or Indian, or something that has a resonance from the past before patriarchy came along.”
…Then bend them
The writer did stray from her hippy intellectual uniform of denim and tinted lenses, frequently choosing flippy ’70s mini-skirts and dresses for TV interviews, or to attend meetings with activist groups.
(Doubtlessly provoking the ire of her conservative critics
(Doubtlessly provoking the ire of her conservative critics in the process.) A fixture on the Manhattan social scene as well as the leader of the women’s movement, at parties, Steinem embraced unabashed glamour in rich jewel tones and asymmetric necklines. Embrace color
Whether she was stepping out at the Plaza, attending a Jane Fonda movie premiere, or tucking into a slice of her own birthday cake at her 50th bash at the Waldorf Astoria, Steinem’s after-dark wardrobe was distinguished by rich colors and subtly sexy necklines—she was partial to a halter-neck, and added drama to one-shoulder dresses with statement necklaces or hair accessories.
Stay true to your silhouettes
The flares, the fitted top, the low-slung belt… Steinem’s outfit for the 2017 CFDA Awards was vintage Gloria. It’s basically that “rad bitch” uniform again—with added celebratory sparkle. Texture adds interest
This photo of an off-duty Steinem in an ultra-cozy chunky knit for a brisk beach walk in 1984 makes us want to plunge headfirst into fall fashion.
The writer also appreciated the tactile appeal of a suede dress, and special mention goes to her teddy coat and cossack hat combo in Toronto in 1986. Clothes can make a statement
Steinem has always been a fan of a statement accessory, be it a thoughtfully chosen belt or an exotic flower pinned in her hair to attend a party alongside actor Alan Alda—and she rarely hit the town in her heyday without first putting on a pair of drop earrings.
But beyond her eye for head-turning jewelry, the journalist knew the attention that came along with her wildly glamorous image was a useful means of getting her message across. See the Voters for Choice badges she pinned to her polonecks, or her Feminism is for Everybody slogan tee. Steinem gifted the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle a bracelet emblazoned with one of her favourite phrases: “Imagine we are linked, not ranked.”
Source: www.vogue.com
