Trendspotting: Vintage Sunglasses
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With spring comes a season of much-awaited sunshine. While it’s wonderful to explore the streets dressed to the nines, such a dose of bright warm weather sunlight can be hard on your peepers. What a better way to stay comfortable (and look more stylish!) than with a pair of unique vintage sunglasses? We’ll give you a rundown on the different styles of the most popular “sunglasses decades”. Take your pick!
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1950’s
The 1950’s was the first decade of the 20th century to usher in sunglasses as a go-to women’s fashion item. (Previously, sunglasses had been worn primarily by men for practical reasons.) The signature sunglasses style of the 1950’s took the form of a cat-eye or whimsical heart shape. Frames often came in white or bright summer colors, popularized by the bathing beauty pin up girl. More contemporary movies that focused on this time period like Lolita introduced this sunglasses style to the modern crowd in both the 1962 and 1997 versions. Speaking of Lolita, BrokenLolita works a pair of 1950’s-style sunglasses. Her white framed cat-eye shades add a touch of vintage glamour to her slouchy earth toned, urban-chic outfit.
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1960’s
The bold looks of the 1960’s popularized an equally mod style of sunglasses. Huge, fly-like dark round frames were all the rage. First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy helped to bring this look into vogue, often sporting her massive shades with a colorful printed silk headscarves. (If you’re interested in imitating Ms. O’s style, check out this helpful YouTube tutorial on how to artfully tie a headscarf. A must-see for any vintage addict!) Modern-day celebrities like Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie have helped to keep this style of shades popular to this very day. Yours truly decided to pair her own pair of oversized sunnies with an outfit that was also decidedly 1960’s: skirt, jewelry, hairstyle and all!
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1970’s
One of the most recognizable sunglasses trends of the 1970’s were tiny granny glasses, also known as tea shades. A miniature version of 1960’s round-shaped sunglasses, these hippie chic numbers often had metallic frames with color-tinted lenses. Celebrities of the 1970’s like John Lennon and Ozzy Osbourne, as well as modern-day cult classic film Almost Famous keep this flower child look always in. ChanelleNstuff plays the part of a 1970’s muse in a pair of these babies, teamed with a draped dress, fedora, and jewelry galore.
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1980’s
Like the clothing styles of the 1980’s, Madonna highly influenced sunglasses styles of this decade. From Lucky Star to the film Desperately Seeking Susan, shades undertook an angular, darkly-hued vibe. Much in the same way as she has imitated Madonna in music video style, Lady Gaga also sports a similar type of sunglasses. TessPare creatively mixed her 1980’s-esque shades with a more laidback bohemian outfit. The dark color scheme and abundance of metallic jewelry are distinctly in league with Madonna, but the flowing skirt and whimsical headpiece are storybook perfection.
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If you find it hard to come across an authentic pair of vintage sunglasses, have no fear; it’s easy to find reproductions almost anywhere. Forever21, Claire’s, Hot Topic, and fredflare carry dozens of desirable retro shades. Stop squinting in the sunshine and start buying sunglasses!
~Pink_Champagne
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