Vintage sunglasses infuse glamour, ladylike chic and a touch of playfulness. There’s not one girl who doesn’t pretend to be a bit more Audrey Hepburn, or La Dolce Vita, when she’s walking down a sunny street, or leaving a plane.
Looking back on yesteryear there’s so many iconic and workable styles of the past we can’t let go – most hone in on that particular trend, define your personality and adds a little sophistication, without the need for an expensive ball gown or outdated cigarette holder (especially if you don’t smoke!)
So we’ve gathered together seven of our favourite sunglasses, no doubt inspired by nostalgic tenderness by the designer and ‘ahh those were the days..’ sighs:
Karl Lagerfeld KL833S in Black & White
A man who’s been in the fashion industry for decades, living through the most stylish eras – it’s no surprise he’s managed to carry those ideas with him and re-design them for the 21st Century. But, when it came to the cat-eye sunglasses, there’s not much he altered or even wanted to change. Shiny black, oversized with a perfect flick, teamed perfectly with any summer outfit – have a further look here.
Miu Miu MU 06OS in Sand Light Havana
New Trend Alert: whilst round/circle lenses are enjoying their comeback right now it’s really hexagon and geometric shapes that are emerging in the background. Italian brand Miu Miu, created by the youngest granddaughter of the Mario Prada, always creates young and fresh designs. This time, however, she’s drawn quirkiness from the seventies’ and whipped it up into something more unique and glamorous – see the full details here.
Marc by Marc Jacobs MMJ435 in Red
Victory rolls, black skinny jeans, denim jacket and red red lipstick. The fifties brought us a host of unmistakable looks, which even Marc Jacobs couldn’t ignore. The cat-eye was rife in this decade and for good reason, but what’s different about this pair is the lattice effect around the frame adding that extra punch of femininity and vintage appeal, not for the light-hearted – more here.
Polaroid P7300 in White
When the sixties took on the ‘futuristic’ look, block white sunglasses were the big thing – and with these Polaroid wrap-round pair it takes you back to the past, which was looking onto the future. Think Grace Kelly in To Catch A Thief, not Johnny Depp in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Under £50 too, see here.
Dior So Electric Sunglasses in White & Yellow Gold
Another collaboration of the past’s take on the modern, this ambiguous pair from Dior might be considered more fairy-tale than vintage. The stripped out shapes that leave a phantom-esque frame, you can imagine this fitting perfectly on a villain in a dark fanstasy film, or an accountant from the previous century. We, however, picture them perfectly with a white retro swimsuit, a sweet cocktail and the French Rivera… See more here.
Owlet OWIS113 in Light Brown
Pin-up-esque styled swim wear is continuing to sell like hot cakes year in, year out. It’s no surprise when you look back to previous Hollywood style icons and what they wore for a day on the beach. Marilyn Monroe in her halter neck swimsuits, Elizabeth Taylor in leopard print and Bridget Bardot’s envious strapless bandeau bikini tops – so many different prints and styles, gets you thinking: do I need a good versatile pair of sunglasses too? Of course you do and it’s a good thing Owlet’s offering is only £21 too.
Retro 70 Sunglasses in Gold/Brown Mottle
Clubmaster’s have that distinctly vintage cool about them and right now celebrity Instagram feeds are filling up with the stars donning them all other the place – but you don’t have to fork out a small fortune on a good design. The brand Retro – specialising in just that – designed this typically brown and gold 1970’s design, at a really modest price too.
What is your vintage style? Let us know with any of your vintage styling advice below, or tag us @SelectSpecs on Twitter and Instagram.
