Vintage Sunglasses: Style, Popularity, and How to Choose

How to Choose the Best Vintage Sunglasses?

Choosing the best vintage sunglasses includes steps such as identifying genuine vintage pieces, considering face shape and style preference, evaluating condition and wear, assessing authenticity and brand recognition, and knowing where to buy authentic vintage sunglasses. The steps on how to choose the best vintage sunglasses are listed below.

1. Identifying genuine vintage pieces: Identify genuine vintage pieces when choosing vintage sunglasses by seeing whether they have brand marking. The authenticity of brands is evident in the logos that are often engraved or etched on to the frames.
2. Considering face shape and style preferences: Consider face shape and style preferences when choosing vintage sunglasses to ensure they fit your features correctly and align with your personal aesthetic.
3. Evaluating condition and wear: Evaluate the condition and wear when selecting vintage sunglasses as the best vintage sunglasses are typically made with high quality materials. Vintage sunglasses are intended to last long and therefore, it is important to assess the condition of wear before purchasing. 
4. Knowing Where to buy authentic vintage sunglasses: Know where to buy authentic vintage sunglasses by researching shops that either specialise in selling vintage goods or secondhand shops.

Where to Find Authentic Vintage Sunglasses for Sale?

To find authentic vintage sunglasses you can search online on a range of e-commerce websites and local secondhand shops. For vintage-style sunglasses that are inspired by authentic vintage eyewear trends, Oscar Wylee offers an abundant range of shapes and styles that include vintage classics such as the browline frame, cat-eye frame, round lenses, aviators,  and small or narrow frames.

What are Different Vintages Sunglasses Shapes?

The different vintage sunglasses shapes include browline frames, cat-eye, round lenses, aviators, oversized square shapes, and small or narrow frames. Here at Oscar Wylee, we offer a varied range of vintage-inspired sunglasses shapes that perfectly suit different face shapes and clothing styles. The different vintage sunglasses shapes are listed below.

• Browline Frames: Browline frames are one of the popular vintage sunglasses shapes that feature a distinctive upper rim design. Browline frames are a classic vintage style that was made more popular in eyewear due to the influence of notable civil rights activist, Malcolm X and famous actors from iconic movies. The Marco frame is a great Oscar Wylee option for a vintage-inspired browline frame, which is available in obsidian matte black and americano.
• Cat-Eye Frames: Cat-eye frames are another popular vintage sunglasses shape that was created in the 1920s. It was the first style of eyewear that was distinctively feminine, which helped impact the eyewear industry that was primarily driven by male-style frames. At Oscar Wylee, we have Gaby which is a great alternative frame to authentic vintage cat-eye frames.
• Round Lenses: Round lenses are an iconic vintage sunglasses shape that is often associated with iconic figures such as John Lennon during the 1960s and 1970s. Their simple round frame shape is flattering on various face types and with fashion styles, making them such a versatile option and a crowd-favourite. 
• Aviators: Aviators are characterised by their unique style and shape, tear-drop lenses, and double bridge. Aviator sunglasses were first designed in the 1930s to be used by pilots. Aviators are designed to cover as much of the eye as possible and increased in popularity due to a US general Douglas Macarthur and notable actors such as Tom Cruise. At Oscar Wylee, we have aviator frames inspired by vintage aviator frames such as Pedro.
• Oversized Shapes: Oversized shapes that were frequently used during the 1970s are a currently trending vintage sunglasses shape. Oversized shapes are bold and often vibrant with many different colours and varied shapes. They are typically paired with thrifted vintage attires dating back to the 90s and 2000s era. At Oscar Wylee, we have the Ford frame which makes an ideal oversized square sunglasses frame that is reminiscent of vintage oversized square shapes.
• Small or Narrow Frames: Small or narrow frames are stylish vintage sunglasses shapes that became iconic in eyewear trends as they were frequently seen on celebrities in the 90s. This style can easily elevate most clothing outfits with minimal effort making them a popular choice, especially for fashion enthusiasts.

Why are Vintage Sunglasses Trends Coming Back?

Vintage sunglasses trends are coming back as a result of the popularised interest in vintage fashion, and paying homage to previous iconic fashion eras. Vintage sunglasses trends appeal to different generations of individuals who gravitate towards distinctive but widely known styles. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok also perpetuate this trend with easy exposure to what’s trending in other countries. Furthermore, the increased awareness for sustainable fashion and reducing overconsumption motivates individuals to shop for items in thrift/secondhand stores.

What are Key Features of Vintage 80s Sunglasses?

The key features of vintage 80s sunglasses are their bold and oversized frames, geometric shapes or large lenses and bold colours and patterns. The key features of vintage 80s sunglasses listed below.

• Bold and Oversized Frames: Bold and oversized frames are some of the key features of vintage 80s sunglasses as a reflection of that decade's emphasis on expressing one’s individuality. These exaggerated styles not only provided a strong visual element making the perfect fashion statement.
• Geometric Shapes or Large Lenses: Geometric shapes or large lenses are another key feature of 80s sunglasses as they offered an elevation to regular shapes and sizes of sunglasses. Geometric or large lenses are visually interesting and help to provide the wearer with striking lines and angles to further compliment their facial features.
• Bold Colours and Patterns: Bold colours and patterns are a distinct feature of 80s vintage sunglasses as they reflect the nature of fashion during that period. Bold colours can include bright or soft hues of yellow, green, orange and blue.

How to Care for Vintage Sunglasses?

To care for vintage sunglasses, you need to clean them regularly, handle them with care and use proper storage. Caring for vintage sunglasses is typically the same as caring for regular sunglasses and both equally require these steps to ensure optimal care. The steps on how to care for vintage sunglasses are listed below.

1. Clean them regularly: Clean them regularly with a soft cloth to gently remove dust, specs of dirt and smudges. Dust and dirt can easily accumulate especially when they are frequently used, therefore, regularly wiping the lenses can help prevent this from occurring.
2. Handle them with care: Handle them with care by using both hands when putting them on and taking them off. This will help prevent the arms from being bent or forced. 
3. Use proper storage: Use proper storage to protect your vintage sunglasses from being scratched or breaking in case they fall. It is important to use the case that they come with as they are the required materials and form of storage that is optimal for keeping your vintage sunglasses in.

How to Style Vintage Sunglasses for a Modern Look?

To style vintage sunglasses for a modern look you can incorporate tailored tops and outerwear, opt for high-wasted or slightly cropped jeans and trousers and wear chunky, minimalist or sleek footwear. The ways to style vintage sunglasses for a modern look are listed below.

1. Incorporate tailored tops and outerwear: Incorporate tailored tops and outerwear such as t-shirts, button shirts, blazers and cardigans. These are great to style with vintage sunglasses to help achieve a modern look.
2. Opt for high-waisted or slightly cropped jeans and trousers: Opt for high-waisted or slightly cropped jeans and trousers to achieve suitable proportions for your body. This will assist you in completing a modern look that pairs well with vintage sunglasses.
3. Wear chunky, minimalist or sleek footwear: Wear chunky, minimal or sleek footwear when wearing vintage sunglasses for a modern look. You may want to choose chunky sneakers or trainers, for minimal or sleek footwear, you can opt for leather loafers or canvas sneakers to complete the bottom half of your modern look with vintage sunglasses.

What are Differences Between Vintage and Retro Sunglasses?

The differences between vintage and retro sunglasses are primarily when they were made and their materials. Vintage sunglasses are at least 20 years old and typically made with acetate and metal using older techniques that may not be used anymore. Retro sunglasses are typically created to look like vintage sunglasses but were produced in recent years with more advanced technology. Retro sunglasses are more commonly made from different plastic materials and sometimes metal according to Genuine Vintage Sunglasses.