When it comes to sunglasses, is retro the way to go? You probably see a lot of different designs of shades these days, but are they new? In reality, there are no really new designs, just redesigns of earlier styles. In the fashion world, retro designs are everywhere, and so it is with sunglasses.
One design that has poked its head back into the fashion world is well known all over.
Onassis Glasses, of the Jackie-O design,were popularised by the former US First Lady. After becoming Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, she flaunted this oversized style of sunglasses all over the globe. The style was so closely associated with her, that it has shared her name since the late seventies.
After fading from the public eye, the demand for Onassis Glasses lay dormant for about thirty years. However, they have made a comeback, and they have been making waves again on red carpets and fashion show runways worldwide. The women credited for bringing back the infamous sunglasses are Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton. And now, Jackie-O’s have been seen on the faces of famous women, and other trendy women everywhere.
Aviators
Another retro design of sunglasses that has made big waves recently is the cleverly named Aviators. Originally designed in the 1930’s for military pilots, Aviators were hot on fashionable faces in the 1960’s and 1980’s. True to their every-twenty-year-or-so trend, Aviators came back strongly and have been favourites for both stylish men and women. Many celebrities like Emma Roberts, Olivia Palermo,Victoria Beckham, Brad Pitt, Daniel Craig and Jennifer Anniston to name but a few, who have adopted Aviators at some time in their lifestyle.
Some styles of sun eyewear have briefly shown themselves in fashion, only to never be seen again. This is not necessarily a bad thing. There are those glasses the human race still feels a little silly about. However, let’s not speak too soon. They could be waiting in the wings for their triumphant return.
Oversized glasses is one fashion trend some of us may rather not follow. The look is a retro tribute to the late Lady O and alright when they are slightly oversized and conservative. However, when the sunglasses appear to be attempting to take over your face, you may have crossed the line. Save the supersized look for those less discerning about their appearance.
The Wayfarer
Another style that some hope will never return carries a soft spot in the hearts of many. The Wayfarer was first made popular by Hollywood’s bad boy, James Dean. After his death, these sunglasses were worn for a time, before slowly falling by the wayside to make room for the newer styles.
However, the Wayfarer was gone but not forgotten. It made a double comeback on the faces of James Belushi and Dan Akroyd, better known in the eighties as the Blues Brothers. The sunglasses with a clean black, square design were a perfect complement to their all black suits, hats and ties.
Wayfarers made another comeback in 1983 when Tom Cruise was a hot high school graduate just trying to get into a good college, and along came “Top Gun” and the rest as they say is history. The Wayfarers haven’t been much on the fashion scene since then, but we’ve never forgotten them.The unisex pair below would make a great present delivered in a nice box.
It’s hard to tell what may come next in the world of fashion shades. If you really want to keep up with it, just check the fashion magazines from now to early spring and see what new old styles are unfolding. You may have seen them all before, but these retro sunglasses are bound to have a new and exciting twist.