Vintage glasses edit: styles and inspiration

woman sitting at a booth wearing oversized glasses and a scarf tied around her neck

Feeling nostalgic? Us too. We’ve put together this edit of vintage glasses and sunglasses styles so you can look to past trends for inspiration. Whether you adore anything retro, or you’re loving the recent cross-century 70s, 80s, and 90s revival, consider this your guide to the glasses of the past.  

From Old Hollywood icons to frames that defined decades of style, 60s mod darlings to unapologetically 80s shapes, here are some eye-conic looks from bygone eras that we are so excited to see back in style.  

1960s frames

woman in red polka dot dress wearing sunglasses and holding a wicker handbag
@shopnowsavelater

When you think of the 1960s, what comes to mind? Beatlemania. Peace signs. Style icons like Jackie O, Audrey Hepburn, and Twiggy.  

Just like these pop culture trends, glasses and sunglasses in the 1960s were all about self-expression. Colourful plastic frames became more widespread and people started looking at glasses for both function and self-expression.   

If you’re looking to emulate 60s style, lean into playful colours and shapes (like cat-eye, browline, and horn-rimmed styles). Some Ray-Ban styles that were born in the 1960s are still popular today. Throw it back to the original geek-chic era with a rounded shape, or find your inner mod with a sleek, angular frame.  

Brown and gold Ray-Ban Clubround semi-rimless browline glasses frames

Ray-Ban Clubround

Oversized square blue glasses frames

Derek Cardigan Poplar

Purple tortoiseshell cat-eye glasses frames

Main and Central Wichita

Red cat-eye glasses frames

Clearly Basics Rosthern

1970s frames

women sitting in a booth wearing oversized glasses and a scarf tied around her neck
@geraldiinegonzalez

The hippie movement and colour craze continued into the 1970s – and colour wasn’t just restricted to frames. Many people literally saw things through rose-coloured (and many other coloured) glasses, while iconic rock stars like John Lennon and Elton John inspired looks both eccentric and timeless.  

Glasses and sunglasses were huge in the 70s – literally. For a classic 70s vibe, oversized frames are the name of the game: aviator or double-bridge (think Napoleon Dynamite), square, or circular.  

To turn them into sunglasses, throw in some tinted lenses in a pastel shade and you’re ready to get your groove on.  

Oversized square tortoiseshell glasses frames

Clearly Basics Mahone 

Olive-green aviator glasses frames

Derek Cardigan Dogwood 

Round gold Ray-Ban glasses frames

Ray-Ban 6392-50 

Semi-rimless black aviator glasses frames

Clearly Gamer Pixel 

1980s frames

woman wearing oversized sunglasses and a beige trenchcoat in front of an ivy-covered wall
@lifebybaneet

Big continued to be BIG in the 80s. We’re talking fluffy hair, puffy shoulder pads, and of course, oversized glasses. It was all about over-the-top and anything-goes music video looks, from neon athleisure to Devo’s red “energy dome” hats.  

Aviators became even more iconic, thanks to movies like Top Gun and Scarface, and Ferris Bueller brought back the browline frame.  

If you’re going for 80s appeal, bold is beautiful when it comes to shape and colour. Think lively frames in saturated hues or angular pairs with oversized flair.  

Oversized square tortoiseshell glasses frames

Clearly Basics Smoky Lake 

Oversized blue transparent square glasses frames

Main and Central Glebe 

Oversized hexagonal clear transparent eco-friendly sustainable glasses frames

Kam Dhillon Heather 

Black and silver Ray-Ban Clubmaster semi-rimless browline glasses frames

Ray-Ban Clubmaster 

1990s frames

man wearing a light purple toque, a white jacket and aviator glasses, holding his hat
@seth_froese

Fashion got edgy and sporty, and for the most part, shrunk down in the 90s. Glasses were no exception: small specs were in, whether wire or plastic, lending a slick look to athletes and celebs alike.  

For true turn-of-the-century cool, choose oval or rectangular frames, or try a sleek and streamlined rimless pair. When it comes to sunglasses, pop colourful tinted lenses into small metal frames for a look reminiscent of Jennifer Aniston or Brad Pitt (or—even better—Braniston. Remember that? Sigh).  

And don’t forget to throw on an oversized flannel, tighten up that scrunchie, or toss on a bucket hat for extra 90s cred.  

Oval metal glasses frames

Clearly Basics Wrigley 

Round rimless glasses frames

Perspective Orbiter 

Tortoiseshell cat-eye glasses frames

Kam Dhillon Antonia 

Rimless square Ray-Ban glasses frames

Ray-Ban 8767-53 

Retro men’s sunglasses

man wearing a leather jacket with a "T" on it and sunglasses, looking into the distance
@jknowl3m

Men’s sunglasses have been a fashion focal point throughout the ages. We’ve rounded up a few styles that showcase serious retro flair.  

90s hip-hop

Remember what we just said about small being cool in the 90s? There is one exception: hip-hop artist and rapper shades. Oversized and angular frames that cover half your face are a sure-fire way to throw it back to the late 80s and early 90s in sun-protecting style.  

Oversized black Ray-Ban square angular sunglasses with dark tinted lenses

Ray-Ban Inverness 

Ageless aviators  

Metal-frame aviators are another classic accessory that showcase just the right amount of retro. Go glam with gold or cool it down with subtle silver. 

Gold aviator sunglasses with grey tinted lenses

Clearly Basics Atlin 

Vintage geometry 

For a retro-futuristic angle, choose sunglasses frames in a transparent or translucent material. A space-age sporty look is just as fun to play with as it is to play tennis in – pick lenses in a tint that match the frame colour or add mirror-tinted lenses for a bit of 80s edge.  

Grey rectangular sunglasses with grey tinted lenses

Clearly Gamer Avatar 

Raise some brows

Round frames with a subtle browline accent are a perfect blend of past and present that will work with most outfits, whether laid-back or business casual.  

Round semi-rimless browline black sunglasses with grey tinted lenses

Joseph Marc Franco 

Retro women’s sunglasses

woman in a car wearing a sweater, floral top, jeans, and tortoiseshell sunglasses
@mobinapeiman

If you’re looking for vintage-inspired sunglasses for women, there are endless options to choose from. Whether you’d like to emulate a Hollywood starlet or need the perfect pair for cruising with the radio on, there’s a style for you.  

Brat pack cool 

First up, who doesn’t love an 80s rom com? Pretty-in-pink shades can absolutely hold a candle (or rather, sixteen candles) to any retro wardrobe item, from a 50s dress to a leather jacket with shoulder pads.  

Or try the same shape in black and pair them with a cardigan for a look that’s straight out of the 60s. 

Pink and gold semi-rimless browline sunglasses with grey tinted lenses

Derek Cardigan Heze 

Golden oldies  

If you want to commit to an old Hollywood look, this is the shape for you. An angular cat-eye makes a chic centrepiece for any outfit and can elevate a little black dress to Audrey Hepburn heights. You’ll look as if you’re about to hop into a vintage convertible at any moment. 

Angular black retro Ray-Ban sunglasses with black tinted lenses

Ray-Ban 2299-52 

Oh my, oversized!  

Oversized sunnies are another style that screams “vintage”. With a nostalgic 70s hue, you’ll be sure to have fun in the sun in more ways than one. 

Oversized yellow eco-friendly sustainable sunglasses with grey tinted lenses

Reincarnate Ibis 

Out of your (tortoise) shell 

Finally, a little (or in this case, a big) tortoiseshell is great for any occasion and can capture movie-star elegance and playful nostalgia all in one. The other benefit is that it goes with almost anything, whether it’s a denim jacket or a pencil skirt. 

Oversized square tortoiseshell sunglasses with grey tinted lenses

Vogue 5406-55 

Timeless sunglasses styles for men and women

a man and a woman standing in a doorway both wearing sunglasses and summer outfits
@theglobewanderers

There are frames that capture an era, and there are frames that define an era.  

All hail the Ray-Ban Wayfarer. Introduced in 1956, the Wayfarer has been the choice of cultural icons like JFK, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and Audrey Hepburn. It was revitalized in the 80s by movies like The Blues Brothers, The Breakfast Club and Risky Business—and icons like you, today. 

Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses with grey tinted lenses

Ray-Ban Wayfarer 

Circular frames have also been around the block a few times (see what we did there?). This shape has got major 50s flair and a geek-chic vibe that’s remained stylish through the decades.  

Round frames also make for great sunglasses: the shape provides good coverage for your eyes so that UV blocking lenses can do their thing.  

Round black sunglasses with grey tinted lenses

Joseph Marc Forsythe 

And finally, though we’ve mentioned the aviator already (who doesn’t love an aviator?), here’s a minimalist take that elevates the staple. Mirrored lenses give it some extra oomph so you can put the “shine” in “sunshine”.   

Gold aviator sunglasses with blue mirror tinted lenses

Main and Central Waterford 

For even more ideas, hop over to our Vintage Glasses page. And keep in mind that most of the frames featured there and above can be turned into sunglasses by adding tinted lenses.  

Ready to get your retro pair? Explore our face shape guide to find the perfect fit, read up on the best lenses to get, and be sure to share your vintage-inspired looks with us on social

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