Why Did 1950s Sunglasses Become So Iconic?
Sunglasses are not just a tool to shield the eyes from the sun but also provide a strong fashion statement and a method of personal expression. In the 1950s sunglasses changed, as did eyeglasses in general, from being just a tool to something more. Women began to wear shapes that drew attention to the eye, and men found styles that were bold and comfortable. Classic styles and shapes were formed, as well as fast fashion versions, which fell out of popularity quickly.
This is part of our comprehensive guide: Through the Lens of Time: A Century of Sunglasses Evolution
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Women's Sunglasses in the 50s: Cat-Eye, Color, and Glamour
Hollywood in the 1950s was a growing influence on fashion and the people who watched the movies and films they created. As sunglasses became bold and glamorous, women sought ways to bring that glamour into their everyday lives. With the ability to be changed regularly to match outfits or events, sunglasses became more of a fashion statement than a tool. As more famous women were beginning to wear them both on screen and off, they grew in popularity with everyone else as well.
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Common styles that made their breakout and became popular vintage sunglasses include the cat eye, colored lenses, and glamorous shapes and colors. Cat-eye glasses became wildly popular and created an iconic and classic look that is still popular today. They added a sense of fun and created a different appearance than others, bringing sunglasses into the next decade.
Men's Sunglasses in the 50s: Wayfarers, Greasers, and Clean Classics
For men’s 50s-style sunglasses, the chosen shapes became more rectangle and square, with styles reflecting the greasers' style and wayfarers. Moving from slim metal frames to attention-grabbing, thicker plastic ones added a new personality to eyewear. Glasses shifted from thin, metal, and understated into full fashion statements with assorted shapes from square to round, rectangle to hexagon, cat eye to octagonal and stars, and both the lenses and frames got full remakes in colors to last. Even 1950 aviator sunglasses made their way through the community, and they may be one of the most long-lasting styles from that time period.
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How to Wear 1950s Sunglasses Today?
To wear your own 1950s sunglasses, women's or men's, choose the pair that feels the most suited to your personality and wear them proudly. They go well with either throwback outfits or modern choices to add a retro accent.
Claudette Cat Eye Black Sunglasses
Leilani Tortoise Polarized Sunglasses
FAQ:
What sunglasses did men wear in the 1950s?
In the 1950s, men wore a lot of aviator sunglasses, thick and bold frames, rectangles and different tints on their lenses.
Are cat-eye sunglasses strictly “women’s style”?
Cat-eye sunglasses were at one time mostly worn by women only, but many more men are wearing them in modern times.
What’s the difference between 50’s-style sunglasses and 60’s-style?
As decades change, the styles always change to meet the new trends. Going from the 50s to the 60s sunglasses shifted along with other fashions and moved into geometric shapes and patterns, round frames, and Mod aesthetics.
Are 1950s vintage sunglasses safe to wear daily?
Yes, if you find vintage sunglasses from the 50s they are safe to wear. They may lose some of the protection from UV rays and require a replacement coating or be worn for fashion rather than eye protection.
Conclusion
The sunglasses in the 1950s changed for both men and women to match the then-fashion trends. They moved from round, thin frames that were made from metal to thicker plastic frames. This allowed for many different shapes, colors, and even patterns to be used.
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Keep Exploring the Evolution:
Previous Era: Sunglasses in the 1940s: Simple, Elegant Styles After the War
