Vintage eyewear is not just about seeing better, it is about being seen. It's about style, quality, personality, sustainability and so much more. From the 50s cat-eye to the classic aviator, vintage frames have become an essential style statement. As a qualified dispensing optician I've been working in the area for 15 years and in this blog will give you insight into the world of vintage eyewear, what it is, why people wear it and how to style it.
So a big question that people ask is "What is Vintage Eyewear?". So the term vintage refers to all products that are at least 20 years old. Our vintage glasses and sunglasses collection spans from the 50s to the 00s and are all vintage. So if you are looking for vintage sunglasses, they need to be at least 20 years old.
Vintage eyewear is unique and known for high quality materials and craftsmanship. Vintage products were designed to last, this is true not only in eyewear, but apparel, furniture and across the spectrum. Nearly all our vintage glasses and sunglasses are new unworn original vintage stock.
Iconic Vintage Eyewear Styles Through the Decades
1920's - 1930's - Round Round baby right Round
The early 20th century brought round, wire rimmed frames into the mainstream. Think John Lennon. Simplistic and practical these fine frames often had small round lenses. You will find frames like these in the Hilton collection.
1940's - 1950's - Rockabilly Heaven
With the rise of Hollywood and television set's, the cat-eye glasses for women hit the scene. Bold and angular to enhance feminine features. Glasses were no longer a necessity, but pleasurable to wear. Tura made the most wonderful cat eye aluminium frames. Mens vintage glasses turned to horn-rimmed frames. Celebrities such as Buddy Holly shot them to fame.
1960's - 1970's - Hippy Boho Mod Vibes
Think oversized frames, with a fun twist. Unconventional, daring, experimental, the eyewear summed up the overall feel of the decades. 70s style brought the aviator, lenses were being tinted, think your pale blues and yellows. Check out our 70s collection to get a feel for the styles. If you would like to read a more in-depth 70s review see our 70s style guide.
1980's - Big and Bold like the Hair
Fearless fashion ruled the decade. Think bright colours, patterns, funky shapes, and statement designs. The Zoe by Brulimar is one of our favourite 80s frames and we currently have it in over 50 colour ways. Wayfarers also packed some punch.
1990's - Less is More
Think small thin frames, bold, chunky, rimless, or not, the 90s brought tiny eyewear to the forefront, minimalistic. Not an easy choice for varifocal wearers at the time, as often the styles were too narrow to fit the lenses. Our YSL collection and Matsuda frames are heavily based around 90s vintage sunglasses.
So if we see a frame, we can now roughly categorise it into a decade. But what makes vintage eyewear unique?
Craftsmanship - Not what it once was
Eyewear like anything else made years ago was of much better quality, designed to last. Production techniques had more manual input, it was a skill, an artisanal process. We had many eyewear makers in the UK, now there are only a few remaining. Most frames were hand-finished, where individuals shaped, polished and assembled each pair. No mass produced rubbish, just well constructed, strong sturdier frames.
Quality - Superior Eyewear
High quality materials were commonly used in vintage eyewear, unlike many of the frames produced today. High quality Italian acetate such as Mazzucchelli was commonly used. Today the cheaper acetates feel flimsy and loose their shape easily so need constant adjustment. Precious metals were used and the construction was so much better that the quality shone through. You can feel the quality when you hold a vintage frame. View our detailed guide on frame materials here.
Unique Design
No pun intended, but back in the day there really was an eye for detail. From detailed engravings such as metal filigree, and intricate designs, the unique and mostly handmade designs are just not found in the mass produced spectacles of today. Rivet hinges not only added style to the frame, but are much sturdier than glued or basic hinges used in many spectacle frames today.
Sustainability
Choosing vintage eyewear reduces waste, making it a good sustainable choice. These products have already been made, so why shop new when you reduce the environmental impact of new manufacturing. The styles designed were intended to last, so people didn't feel propelled to replace their glasses regularly, a great slow fashion approach. Maybe something we eyewear brands should look to adopt today.
It is safe to say that if you just wanting a cool alternative to the high street frames, you want to celebrate iconic designs, or make an eco-conscious choice, vintage eyewear is more than a purchase—it’s an enduring investment in style and substance.
