The History of Anna Wintour’s Sunglasses: When the Icon Adopted Her Signature Look

Anna Wintour began wearing her signature sunglasses consistently in the late 1960s and early 1970s, though they became a permanent, non-negotiable fixture of her public persona upon her appointment as Editor-in-Chief of Vogue in 1988. While initially adopted for vision correction and privacy, the sunglasses have evolved into a global symbol of fashion authority and personal branding.

The Origins of a Fashion Uniform: The Late 1960s and 1970s

To understand when Anna Wintour started wearing sunglasses, one must look back to her formative years in the London fashion scene. Growing up as the daughter of Charles Wintour, the influential editor of the Evening Standard, Anna was immersed in a world where journalism and style intersected. During the late 1960s, a period defined by the "Swinging London" movement, oversized eyewear became a staple of the mod aesthetic.

Wintour has noted in various interviews that she began experimenting with sunglasses during this era. In the late 60s, she was already establishing her personal "uniform," which famously includes the sharp bob haircut she has maintained since the age of 14. The sunglasses were a natural extension of this curated identity. During her early career at Harper’s & Queen in London and later at Harper’s Bazaar and Viva in New York during the 1970s, Wintour was frequently photographed with various styles of eyewear. However, at this stage, they were not yet the "permanent" mask they would later become; she was often seen without them in editorial meetings and social gatherings.

The transition from a seasonal accessory to a daily necessity was gradual. In the 1970s, sunglasses were increasingly used by celebrities to navigate the paparazzi-heavy culture of clubs like Studio 54. For Wintour, who was building a reputation for an iron-willed work ethic and a sharp editorial eye, the glasses provided a layer of detachment that suited her rising professional status.

1988: The Vogue Appointment and the Formalized Image

The year 1988 serves as the most critical turning point for the Wintour "look." When she took the helm at American Vogue, succeeding Grace Mirabella, she didn't just change the magazine’s editorial direction; she codified her own image. This was the era of the "Power Woman," and Wintour’s aesthetic—consisting of Chanel suits, Manolo Blahnik slingbacks, the bob, and the sunglasses—became a visual shorthand for corporate and creative dominance.

By the early 1990s, it was rare to see Wintour at a public event or a fashion show without her dark lenses. This period solidified the sunglasses as a structural component of her identity. While other editors changed their style to match the shifting trends of the decade—moving from the opulence of the 80s to the minimalism of the 90s—Wintour remained remarkably consistent. This consistency was a strategic move. In an industry defined by planned obsolescence and constant change, her unchanging appearance signaled stability and an untouchable standard of taste.

As of 2026, looking back across nearly four decades of her leadership, the sunglasses remain the most discussed element of her wardrobe. They are no longer just an accessory; they are a boundary.

The Practical Utility: Why She Wears Them

While the public often views the sunglasses as a theatrical or "diva-ish" affectation, Wintour has been candid about their practical utility. In a 2019 interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Wintour provided one of her most direct explanations for the accessory. She described them as "incredibly useful" because they prevent people from seeing her reactions to a collection.

1. Privacy in the Front Row

The "Front Row" (FROW) of a fashion show is a high-pressure environment where every glance and whisper is scrutinized by photographers, competitors, and designers. By wearing dark lenses, Wintour can maintain a "poker face." Whether she finds a collection brilliant or disappointing, her eyes do not betray her. This allows her to process her editorial thoughts privately before they are published in Vogue or discussed with her team.

2. Physical Protection and Health

Wintour has also mentioned that the sunglasses serve a medical and physical purpose. She has alluded to having sensitive eyes and using the glasses to shield them from the intense flashbulbs of photographers and the harsh lighting of runway shows. Furthermore, they are often corrective lenses. At her level of visibility, the glasses also hide signs of fatigue. In the grueling schedule of "Fashion Month," which spans New York, London, Milan, and Paris, the ability to hide "tired eyes" is a significant professional advantage.

3. The Psychological Armor

Beyond the physical, there is a psychological element to the eyewear. In the documentary The September Issue, and in various biographies, the concept of the sunglasses as "armor" is frequently explored. They create a distance between Wintour and the world around her, reinforcing her "Nuclear Wintour" persona—a nickname she reportedly dislikes but which has defined her public mythos for decades.

The Anatomy of the Frames: The Chanel Connection

For those looking to identify the specific brand of sunglasses Anna Wintour wears, the answer is almost exclusively Chanel. While she has occasionally been seen in other high-end brands, her relationship with the House of Chanel—and specifically her long-standing friendship with the late Karl Lagerfeld—has made the brand’s eyewear her go-to choice.

Wintour typically favors a "Wayfarer-adjacent" or slightly wrap-around frame that is large enough to cover the eyebrows but not so oversized that it overwhelms her face. The frames are almost always jet black or dark tortoiseshell, featuring high-quality polarized lenses that are opaque enough to hide the eyes entirely even under bright studio lights.

Notable Exceptions: When the Glasses Come Off

Despite their near-permanent status, there are documented instances where Anna Wintour removes her sunglasses. These moments are often treated as significant cultural events by the fashion press.

• The Met Gala: While she often arrives in sunglasses, she frequently removes them once inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art, especially during the formal dinner and when greeting co-chairs.
• State Events: Wintour has been seen without sunglasses when receiving honors, such as when she was named a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2017. Interestingly, she did keep them on while sitting next to the Queen at a Richard Quinn show in 2018, which sparked a minor debate regarding royal etiquette.
• Personal Interviews: In some long-form video interviews where a more "humanized" portrait is intended, she will sit without them, though this has become rarer as the years progress toward 2026.
• Tennis Matches: As a massive fan of Roger Federer and the sport of tennis, she is often seen at the US Open or Wimbledon. While she wears them in the stands, she has been photographed without them during more casual interactions in the players' lounges.

The Cultural Impact of the Eyewear

The sunglasses have transcended fashion to become a broader cultural trope. In the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada, the character Miranda Priestly (widely believed to be based on Wintour) uses sunglasses as a primary tool of intimidation. The act of lowering or removing the glasses in the film is used to signal a rare moment of either profound disappointment or unexpected approval.

In the digital age, the sunglasses have become "meme-able" and easily recognizable, contributing to Wintour’s status as one of the few fashion editors whose fame rivals that of the celebrities she features. By maintaining this specific look since the late 1980s, she has created a visual brand that is instantly recognizable even in silhouette. This is a masterclass in personal branding; in 2026, a bob and dark glasses are all that is needed to represent the entire concept of the "Fashion Editor."

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Anna Wintour wear sunglasses indoors?

She wears them indoors primarily to hide her reactions during fashion shows and editorial meetings. Additionally, she has stated they are useful for hiding fatigue during busy schedules and protecting her eyes from bright indoor lighting and camera flashes.

Does Anna Wintour have an eye condition?

While there have been various rumors over the decades, Wintour has not confirmed a specific medical "condition." She has, however, mentioned having "sensitive eyes" and needing corrective lenses for vision, which are built into her custom sunglasses.

Are Anna Wintour's sunglasses custom-made?

Yes, most of her frames are custom-fitted and contain prescription lenses. While the base models are often from Chanel’s retail or couture collections, they are adjusted to her specific facial structure and vision requirements.

When did she first start the bob haircut to go with the glasses?

Wintour famously began wearing her hair in a bob at age 14. This means the hairstyle predates the permanent use of sunglasses by several years, though the two elements combined in the late 1980s to create her iconic "uniform."

What brand of sunglasses does she wear?

Her most frequently worn brand is Chanel. She has a long-standing relationship with the brand and was a close friend of the late creative director Karl Lagerfeld.

Final Recommendation for Students of Style

If you are looking to emulate the Wintour look or understand the power of a signature accessory, the lesson is consistency. Wintour’s choice to start wearing sunglasses in the late 60s and then never stop demonstrates how a single item can become a trademark. For those seeking a similar effect, focus on finding a frame shape that complements your face shape and stick with it across seasons. The goal is not just to follow a trend, but to create a visual identity that remains relevant regardless of the year.