The Eyewear Styles to Watch in 2027
What's next for glasses and sunglasses in 2027? If the latest eyewear industry forecasts are anything to go by, the future of eyewear is taking plenty of inspiration from the past.
Oversized frames, classic aviators, sculptural cat-eyes and richly coloured acetates are among the styles to watch. Alongside these statement designs, we're seeing an appreciation for refined metal frames, softer silhouettes and vintage-inspired details.
For us at Retro Spectacle, that's particularly exciting. Many of the designs influencing contemporary eyewear are styles we've been sourcing for years, from original 1970s sunglasses to distinctive 1980s designer spectacles and minimalist 1990s frames.
We've taken a closer look at the emerging glasses and sunglasses trends for 2027, the industry forecasts behind them and the original vintage eyewear that captures each look.
What's Influencing Eyewear Fashion in 2027?
At MIDO 2026, the international eyewear exhibition in Milan, trend forecasting specialists LIVETREND presented their outlook for Spring/Summer 2027.
The forecast identified four main design directions:
- Mare Noir: Nostalgic influences, vintage shapes, sophisticated darker colours and strong contrasts.
- Urban Beach: Sporty eyewear, vibrant colours, transparent materials and playful design.
- Primal Relics: Earthy colours, marbled acetates, warm metals and natural-looking textures.
- Summer Residence: Understated elegance, delicate details, soft colours and lightweight frames.
Although these are forecasts rather than confirmed bestsellers for 2027, they offer a fascinating insight into where eyewear design is heading.
And one thing is particularly noticeable: many of the emerging themes have their roots in eyewear from previous decades.
Source: MIDO ā Next Vision: The Eyewear Trends Igniting Present and Future.
1. Oversized Glasses and Sunglasses: Bigger, Bolder, Better
Piave 145 1980s Oversized Sunglasses
Oversized eyewear continues to command attention, and we expect substantial frames to remain an important part of the 2027 look.
Think bold squares, generously proportioned lenses, sculpted acetate and distinctive frame fronts.
The inspiration? Look back to the 1970s and 1980s, when eyewear became a statement in its own right.
Designers such as Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and Cazal produced frames that weren't afraid to take up space. Their striking proportions, unusual detailing and confident shapes still feel remarkably contemporary.
What makes oversized vintage eyewear particularly interesting is the variety. A bold square acetate frame creates a very different look from a large metal aviator or a softly rounded 1970s design.
Our 2027 style prediction: Oversized eyewear will be less about size alone and more about distinctive shapes, beautiful materials and individuality.
Explore our oversized vintage sunglasses and square sunglasses.
2. Aviator Glasses: The 1970s Classic That Keeps Returning
Original 1980s Carrera 5327 Aviator SunglassesĀ
Few eyewear designs have proved as enduring as the aviator.
Originally developed as functional aviation eyewear, the shape became a fashion staple during the twentieth century. By the 1970s and 1980s, aviator-inspired spectacles were available in a remarkable variety of styles.
Alongside familiar teardrop lenses, designers experimented with squared-off navigator shapes, oversized metal frames, double bridges and contrasting acetate details.
MIDO's recent trend reporting specifically highlights the reinterpretation of classic pilot and navigator silhouettes, suggesting these established designs remain important influences on contemporary collections.
For 2027, we're particularly interested in gold and silver frames, warm-toned lenses, and more architectural double-bridge designs.
Original vintage examples from Carrera, Dunhill, Christian Dior, Persol and other eyewear makers demonstrate just how varied this style can be.
Our 2027 style prediction: Expect the classic aviator to continue evolving, with softer shapes and carefully considered metal detailing alongside bolder retro designs.
Explore our vintage aviator sunglasses.
3. Cat-Eye Glasses: From 1950s Elegance to Modern Statement Frames
Tura 60832 1950s Aluminium Pink Cat-Eye Glasses
Cat-eye glasses have been reinvented countless times since their rise to popularity in the mid-twentieth century.
The original 1950s designs often featured distinctive upswept corners, decorative details and carefully sculpted fronts.
Later decades introduced softer versions, oversized interpretations and increasingly adventurous colours.
It's this versatility that keeps the cat-eye relevant.
For 2027, we see particular potential in gently upswept frames, expressive acetate shapes and designs that balance vintage character with everyday wearability.
A cat-eye doesn't have to be dramatic. A subtle lift at the outer corners can be enough to give a frame its distinctive appearance.
Equally, for those who enjoy more adventurous eyewear, original vintage designs offer everything from elaborate decorative corners to bold, architectural silhouettes.
Our 2027 style prediction: Softer cat-eye glasses will sit alongside bold statement versions, making the shape appealing to a wide range of personal styles.
Discover our cat-eye sunglasses or explore our women's cat-eye glasses.
4. Tortoiseshell, Marbled Acetate and Warm Earthy Colours
Gucci 2126 Women's Tortoiseshell Vintage Glasses
Not every eyewear trend is defined by shape.
Colour and material are an important part of the 2027 forecasts, particularly within MIDO's Primal Relics direction.
This explores natural-looking textures, rich organic colours and materials with depth and character.
Think amber, honey, tobacco brown, warm tortoiseshell, marbled acetate, ochre and gold-toned metal.
These are colours that work especially well with original vintage frames.
Many acetate designs from the 1970s and 1980s featured layered colours, unusual patterns and substantial frame fronts. The result can be far more interesting than a straightforward solid-colour frame.
We're also watching the continuing influence of transparent and translucent materials, from subtle champagne acetates to more adventurous coloured crystal designs.
Our 2027 style prediction: Warm browns, rich tortoiseshell and translucent finishes will offer alternatives to classic black eyewear, while textured acetate will bring additional character.
Explore our collection of 1970s vintage glasses and sunglasses.
5. Refined Metal Glasses and Quiet Luxury
Tiffany Lunettes T342 Gold Plated Glasses
While statement frames attract plenty of attention, there's another side to the 2027 eyewear forecast.
MIDO's Summer Residence theme points towards understated elegance, softer colours, delicate details and lighter, more discreet designs.
For eyewear, this creates an opportunity for fine metal frames, subtle decorative details and classic shapes that don't rely on oversized proportions.
Vintage eyewear offers some beautiful examples.
Slim metal spectacles, delicate round frames and carefully constructed rectangular designs can provide a sophisticated alternative to bold acetate.
Gold, silver, gunmetal and subtle combinations of metal and acetate are particularly versatile.
And for prescription wearers, the right lightweight frame can be a practical choice as well as a stylish one.
Our 2027 style prediction: Expect understated metal glasses and refined detailing to provide a quieter alternative to the more expressive eyewear trends.
Browse our vintage designer glasses.
6. Oval Sunglasses and 1990s-Inspired Shapes
Gucci 1331 Unisex Oval Vintage Sunglasses
The influence of the 1990s continues to be felt across contemporary fashion, particularly in sunglasses.
Oval lenses, narrow rectangular shapes, slim metal constructions and minimalist detailing all capture different aspects of the decade.
These are styles worth watching alongside the bolder silhouettes forecast for 2027.
Original 1990s sunglasses can offer an interesting contrast to oversized 1970s designs. Where one embraces volume, the other often concentrates on clean lines and compact proportions.
Vintage designers experimented with metal, rimless constructions, unusual lens shapes and combinations of colour and texture.
For anyone drawn to a more understated retro look, oval and rectangular sunglasses offer plenty of possibilities.
Our 2027 style prediction: Although larger frames are attracting attention, refined oval and rectangular designs should remain appealing to people who prefer sleeker eyewear.
Explore our oval sunglasses, rectangular sunglasses and 1990s eyewear collection.
7. Shield and Wraparound Sunglasses: The Sporty Influence
Fendi 299RI 001 Wraparound Shield Sunglasses
One of the more adventurous directions for 2027 comes from the crossover between fashion and sportswear.
MIDO's Urban Beach forecast combines sporty influences with bright colours, experimental materials and confident design.
For sunglasses, this provides an interesting backdrop for shields, wraparound shapes, visor-inspired lenses and other technical-looking designs.
It's also a style with an established vintage history.
Sports sunglasses from the 1980s and 1990s frequently experimented with dramatic lens shapes, curved fronts and distinctive frame constructions.
Brands such as Carrera and CƩbƩ were among those associated with this more technical approach to eyewear.
Original vintage shield sunglasses can offer a very different look from contemporary fashion versions, especially when unusual lens colours or distinctive period details are involved.
Our 2027 style prediction: Sport-inspired sunglasses will continue to influence fashion, particularly among those looking for a bolder, more futuristic style.
Explore our vintage shield sunglasses.
Why Buy Vintage-Inspired Eyewear When You Can Wear the Originals?
One of the most fascinating things about glasses and sunglasses trends is how often fashion looks backwards.
A shape celebrated as a new trend today may have first appeared decades earlier.
Oversized acetate sunglasses, bold aviators, sculptural cat-eyes and minimalist metal spectacles all have established histories within eyewear design.
At Retro Spectacle, we've spent years sourcing original vintage and designer glasses and sunglasses from around the world.
Our collection includes eyewear from names such as Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Cazal, Persol, Carrera, Dunhill and many more.
Many of our pieces are original new old stock ā authentic vintage frames that have never previously been worn.
Rather than purchasing a modern interpretation of a vintage style, you can choose a frame that actually comes from the period that inspired it.
And because much of our collection consists of individual pieces, it's possible to find eyewear that feels genuinely different from what's available on the high street.
Can You Put Modern Prescription Lenses Into Vintage Glasses?
Absolutely ā many original vintage frames can be fitted with new prescription lenses.
At Retro Spectacle, we're led by a qualified dispensing optician with nearly 20 years of experience in the optical industry.
Our prescription lens service allows customers to enjoy original vintage eyewear with lenses suited to their individual requirements.
Depending on the frame and prescription, options may include clear prescription lenses, tinted lenses, anti-reflective coatings and other lens treatments.
Not every vintage frame is suitable for every prescription, particularly where unusual lens shapes, extreme curvature or more delicate constructions are involved. We can offer advice on suitability before lenses are made.
This combination of authentic vintage design and modern optical expertise is one of the things that makes Retro Spectacle different.
Our Verdict: The Biggest Eyewear Trend for 2027 Is Individuality
If there's one thing we take from the emerging 2027 forecasts, it's that eyewear is becoming increasingly expressive.
On one side are oversized shapes, playful colours and bold, experimental designs.
On the other are refined metals, understated classics and softer silhouettes.
There isn't one single shape that everyone needs to wear.
And perhaps that's the most interesting direction of all.
Whether you're drawn to the glamour of oversized 1970s sunglasses, the confidence of 1980s designer frames or the simplicity of 1990s metal glasses, original vintage eyewear offers countless ways to express your own style.
The next big eyewear trend might already be several decades old.
Explore Retro Spectacle's complete collection of vintage glasses and sunglasses.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2027 Eyewear Trends
What glasses will be in fashion in 2027?
Early industry forecasts point towards bold acetate frames, classic aviator shapes, softer cat-eyes, refined metal glasses and richly textured materials. Both statement eyewear and understated designs are expected to influence 2027 collections.
What sunglasses will be trending in 2027?
Oversized sunglasses, aviators, sculptural frames and sport-inspired designs are among the styles to watch. Oval and rectangular vintage-inspired sunglasses also offer alternatives for those who prefer a more compact shape.
Are oversized glasses still fashionable in 2027?
Oversized frames remain an important direction in eyewear design. Original 1970s and 1980s glasses provide authentic examples of the strong proportions, sculpted acetate and distinctive shapes influencing contemporary collections.
Are aviator glasses coming back in 2027?
Aviator and navigator shapes are established classics that continue to be reinterpreted. Recent industry trend reporting highlights pilot-inspired frames, including updated silhouettes and refined metal finishes.
Where can I buy vintage glasses and sunglasses in the UK?
Retro Spectacle specialises in authentic vintage and designer glasses and sunglasses from across the decades. Many frames can be supplied with new prescription or non-prescription lenses, with advice from a qualified dispensing optician.
Published October 2026. This article reflects eyewear industry forecasts for 2027 and our own interpretation of emerging styles. We will continue to update it as new collections and trends appear.
Research and references