It’s not often that Anna Wintour strays from her carefully curated image that has defined her trademark look for decades, but when she does, fans notice it immediately.
During a rare public appearance since her retirement, the former Vogue editor-in-chief stunned onlookers with a subtle change.
The British-American media executive and fashion icon marked the first day of London Fashion Week together with Queen Camilla.
The two powerful ladies came together to discuss British fashion and the charity launched by Her Majesty, known as The Queen’s Reading Room.
While Queen Camilla looked stylish in an all-black outfit, the 76-year-old fashion icon matched the vibe with her burgundy dress and a matching long coat with a velvet collar and caramel-colored high-heeled boots.
However, it was her decision to ditch her signature oversized sunglasses that quickly caught the public’s attention.
Anna Wintour attends the US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 05, 2025 in New York City.
Fashion observers noted that the unexpected look offered a rare glimpse of the famously guarded style authority.
In a post shared by British Vogue, fans were stunned to see Dame Anna Wintour make a rare departure from her trademark style, proving that even the smallest style shift from her can make headlines.
“So odd seeing Anna without her glasses on!” one wrote.
“She took her sunglasses off after 73 years…” a commenter said.
“Oh, she took the sunglasses off, what an honour,” a follower noted.
Some preferred to see the fashion titan without her iconic style, noting, “Glad to see Anna without her sunglasses on!”
“Almost didn’t recognize Anna without the sunglasses,” an Instagram user wrote.
“Glad Anna took off her glasses. It’s only polite,” a fan commented, seemingly referring to her meeting with the Queen.
Another fan also noticed a subtle change in her hairstyle, writing, “Looks like Anna darkened her hair a bit. They look great!”
Apart from the style shifts, one commenter also noticed a glow about Wintour and said, “Love Anna ! I hope she is enjoying retirement.”
Although the bob and the sunglasses are a staple look of the longtime editor-in-chief of Vogue, she has occasionally been spotted without the shades on rare outings.
One notable instance was during a ceremony with King Charles III. She was presented with the Order of the Companions of Honour at Buckingham Palace in February 2025. The gesture was a respectful move in the presence of the royal family.
Another occasion was in January of the same year, when she was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by then U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House.
In 2019, she revealed the reason behind choosing this style. Wintour told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour that she finds eyewear “incredibly useful because you avoid people knowing what you’re thinking about.”
Related: Angel Reese Spills on Anna Wintour’s Involvement in Her Vogue Cover Shoot
This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.