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But the legendary journalist, feminist pioneer and social movement organizer, who died at the age of 92, also had a thing or two to teach us about style. Despite the criticism she faced during the 1970s from those who believed her glamorous image contradicted her feminist views, with Post journalist Maxine Cheshire calling her “the intellectual elite’s pin-up girl in a miniskirt,” Steinem never shied away from fashion. “Fashion used to mean conforming and losing yourself,” she said in the 2011 documentary Gloria. “Fashion now means being unique and finding yourself.”
True to her words, Steinem never followed the crowd when it came to clothes. And when we talk about authenticity, few style signatures are as instantly recognizable as her sunglasses, which she wore with the arms deliberately resting over the top of her teased, textured, highlighted hair. As a kind of aviator-style symbol of a movement that continued to challenge stereotypes and outdated norms surrounding female expression and autonomy over one’s own body, Steinem knew that fashion had the power to cross political lines. And her own fashion inspirations? Audrey Hepburn and her highlights as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, as well as Wonder Woman. Steinem once led a campaign to bring back the comic-book heroine’s signature costume, adorned with motifs from the American flag.
Alongside her activism, her sense of style also left its mark on the small screen. The Hulu series Mrs. America explored her role in the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, with Rose Byrne portraying Steinem in flares and paisley-print shirts. Then came the film The Glorias, in which Julianne Moore and Alicia Vikander both played Steinem, each wearing her signature flared trousers.
So it is perfectly fine to be obsessed with Gloria Steinem’s style. It is a striking reminder of the power of a recognizable fashion signature, but also of the freedom that comes from constantly playing with it. There is also a small, everyday kind of freedom in choosing what to put on our bodies as we step out into the world each day.
Below, we revisit some of the most compelling style lessons from the great feminist heroine.
Set your own rules…
Whether she was supporting a female candidate on the political stage, working in the offices of Ms., the feminist magazine she founded with Dorothy Pitman Hughes in 1971, or taking part in women’s rights marches, Gloria Steinem spent much of the 1970s wearing a turtleneck and flared trousers, accessorized with a belt slung low on her hips, a long necklace reaching down to her waist and badges bearing various slogans.
In a 2015 interview with Lena Dunham, Steinem confirmed that this remains her power outfit to this day. Asked what she wears when she wants to feel like a radical bitch, Steinem replied: “Boots, pants, a sweater or T-shirt. A concha belt. Something Native American or from India, or something that carries an echo of the past, from before patriarchy took hold.”
…Then break them
The writer did, however, occasionally stray from her signature hippie-intellectual uniform of denim and tinted glasses, often choosing flowing 1970s-style miniskirts and dresses for television interviews or meetings with activist groups. This undoubtedly further fueled the fury of her conservative critics.
As both a fixture of Manhattan’s social scene and a leader of the women’s movement, Steinem embraced glamour wholeheartedly at parties, opting for rich jewel tones and asymmetric necklines.
Embrace color
Whether she was heading out to the Plaza Hotel, attending the premiere of a Jane Fonda film or enjoying a slice of her own birthday cake at her 50th birthday celebration at the Waldorf Astoria, Steinem built her distinctive evening wardrobe around sumptuous colors and subtly seductive necklines. She was particularly fond of halter dresses, while statement necklaces and hair accessories added a touch of drama to her one-shoulder gowns.
Stay true to your silhouettes
Flares, a fitted top, a belt slung low on the hips… Steinem’s look for the 2017 CFDA Awards was pure, unmistakable Gloria. Essentially, she was wearing her radical bitch uniform once again, this time with an added touch of formal glamour.
Texture adds another layer of interest
This photograph of Steinem in a relaxed look, wearing an exceptionally cozy chunky-knit sweater during a chilly walk along the beach in 1984, makes us want to embrace fall fashion immediately. The writer also appreciated the tactile appeal of a suede dress, while the combination of a teddy coat and Cossack hat she wore in Toronto in 1986 deserves a special mention.
Clothing can send a powerful message
Steinem always loved striking accessories, whether it was a carefully chosen belt or an exotic flower pinned into her hair for a party with actor Alan Alda. During her most active years, she rarely went out without first putting on a pair of dangling earrings. But beyond her keen eye for statement jewelry, the journalist knew that the attention drawn by her distinctly glamorous appearance could be a powerful vehicle for communicating a message. One need only look at the Voters for Choice badges she pinned to her turtlenecks or the T-shirt bearing the slogan Feminism is for Everybody. Steinem gave the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, a bracelet engraved with one of her favorite messages: “Imagine we are linked, not ranked.”