Barbra Streisand, 81, Defends Herself After Being Said to Dress Inappropriately — Her Opinion on Beauty

• Barbra Streisand's fashion style has been a topic of discussion over the years.
• She has been critiqued for dressing inappropriately.
• But the critically acclaimed star has since defended herself and has reflected on her style through the years.

Barbra Streisand has been a fashionista since her teenage years. After rising to superstardom, she was recognized for her fashion style and even made it to the best-dressed list twice. Still, that has not spared her from being criticized for how she dresses.

Barbra Streisand comes from humble beginnings. She was born on April 24, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York, and lived in the projects with her parents, Diana and Emmanuel Streisand.

They had a small kitchen where she enjoyed baking white cupcakes and putting on dark chocolate icing. Sadly, Streisand's father died from a cerebral hemorrhage when she was only 15 months old, leaving her and her mother behind, who later remarried.

Streisand revealed in a November 2023 interview that her stepfather was cold towards her and barely had a genuine conversation with her. The star's relationship with her mother was also intense as she even discouraged her from pursuing an acting career. However, that did not deter the future EGOT winner from pursuing her dreams.

As a 17-year-old, Streisand strongly desired to become famous "just so I could get someone else to make my bed. I could never figure out those corners," she recalled.

The award-winning multihyphenate also remembered singing in the stairwells of her apartment block with her friends when she was five or six years old, saying:

"The acoustics were like a built-in echo. It was a great sound."

Streisand left home when she was 16 years old and made a living as a clerk while working on weekends as a theater usher. In that way, she could keep up with the latest Broadway shows.

"I got paid $4.50, I think it was, but I always hid my face because I thought someday, I'd be well-known. Isn't that funny?" said Streisand.

The renowned public figure's dream finally came true in 1960. Streisand entered a talent competition at a Manhattan gay bar where a $50 prize, including a free dinner, was up for grabs.

She opened her set with the song "A Sleepin' Bee" and received rave applause from those present after they remained silent following her performance. That evening, the future icon was told: "Little girl, I see dollar signs all over you," by comedian Tiger Hayne's girlfriend. She was right, as Streisand gained popularity right after.

Streisand Endured Criticism for Her Style & Looks in Hollywood

Streisand became an actress, a singer, a producer, and a director. However, when looking back at how she succeeded as an entertainer, the New Yorker revealed it goes back to her childhood.

In her memoir "My Name Is Barbra," she details her Hollywood career, which spans over six decades, and pays tribute to her mom and dad, saying, "This book is dedicated to the father I never knew...and the mother I did."

The Broadway star said if she had had a dad growing up, she would not have needed to pursue an acting career. "I probably would have been happy with myself. I don't think I was happy with myself," Streisand admitted.

However, she had a "spark." Even though her mother said she would not make it as an actor because she was "not pretty enough," young Streisand persevered.

Apart from receiving criticism from her parent, the singer has also had to deal with being critiqued for how she dresses, dating back to when she was a teen.

Over the years, Streisand's sense of style has evolved, a part of her journey she documented in her book, The Sunday Times Bestselling Autobiography and Music Book of 2023. As a child, she wore a burgundy sweater with wooden buttons, making her stand out from her peers on her first day at camp.

Streisand spent her hard-earned money on clothes from babysitting and working as a cashier at a Chinese restaurant. She owned a lace-trimmed skirt and a top printed with tiny pink-and-white checks and matching shoes.

Streisand shopped at the thrift store back in the day, and two years after reaching fame, the type of clothes she bought at such stores became a thing to wear.

The "Funny Girl" star broke the rules with her fashion style. While attending President Bill Clinton's first inaugural gala, she donned a pinstripe suit with a vest that revealed her bosom and a long skirt with a slit.

A New York Times writer penned about her attire for the evening at the time, saying her outfit sent a "disturbing signal" and a "coy mixed message." Streisand was reportedly annoyed by the writer's choice of words, saying, "that writer was reading a lot into that outfit, and it said more about her than about me," while adding:

"Why can't women be accomplished and attractive, strong and sensitive, intelligent and sensual?"

In her first-ever fashion interview, Streisand openly discussed her appearance and fashion sense in her autobiography, saying, "I guess I looked different, dressed different," adding:

"I never just went with the style of the day. [...]"

Streisand, who is Jewish, noticed her unique features early on, as she admitted no one would have predicted that she would become a movie star one day. "I have a small head, a crooked nose, my mouth is too big, and my eyes are too small. Did I even think I was sexy? No."

Knowing how to dress, Streisand never opted for conventional attires singers wore, especially when performing at nightclubs. Her original fashion style even made an impression on Vogue editor Diana Vreeland.

Vreeland saw something in Streisand, while others joked about her style. "She spoke of me as a fashion icon, long before I imagined I'd ever make the best-dressed list," the director, who made the list twice, wrote in her book.

Streisand, who dazzled in a jaguar coat and matching pillbox and performed in Empire gowns, revealed she has always loved wearing a high waist and a fall of fabric to the floor. It looked good on her body and allowed her to have room to breathe when singing.

When asked about dressing her age, the 81-year-old said that concept does not apply to her. "People should express themselves and wear whatever they feel on any given day. And that has nothing to do with age."

Streisand previously suggested posing for a W cover in nothing but a white shirt with no pants – to show off her legs. However, at the beginning of her career, she avoided being perceived for her sensuality, but now that she has reached old age, she could care less.

That does not take away her love for fashion; it includes treasures in her collection. The producer, who does her own makeup, owns vintage clothes, film costumes, a Fortuny gown, and antique dolls from 100 years ago – and has them on display at her home.

Streisand's Plans Following the Release of Her Book & Married Life

With a prolific career behind her, Streisand believed she would finally get some downtime after the release of her book. She wanted to go on road trips with her spouse and live life to the fullest in the presence of their blended family.

Streisand loves it when their kids come over, as they enjoy playing with the dogs and get to have fun. "I haven't had much fun in my life. [...] And I want to have more fun," she admitted.

But Streisand has since been on promotional tours instead. The philanthropist had only one intention when writing her memoir: to tell her story in her own words. She noted some people have misconceptions about famous people.

One person who reviewed her book initially believed she was a "diva" but discovered the esteemed star is anything but. "She's not anything like that. She's a down-to-earth person," the woman wrote. Streisand accomplished what she set out to do by telling her truth.

The global sensation is happily married to veteran actor James Brolin, 83. In a joint interview, Brolin revealed that he asked Streisand to marry him three times. She was unsure at the time, and he had been celibate for three years.

The two-time Golden Globe Award winner, a father of three, had been married twice before, while the "The Way We Were" star had only been married once to another actor, Elliot Gould, with whom she shares her only child, son Jason Gould.

Brolin and Streisand got hitched in July 1998 at their Malibu home. The ceremony included 105 guests, including Hollywood A-listers such as Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, and John Travolta and his spouse, Kelly Preston.

On the duo's big day, Brolin said he was a lucky man to wed again so late in life as he was 58 then. "Every night is a new adventure. Sleeping is a waste of time. I can't wait to see her again in the morning," he gushed about his newly wedded wife.

The longtime Hollywood couple celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in July 2023. "Marrying you was the best thing that I've ever done," Brolin penned for his beloved when marking their milestone together.