Retro sunglasses, including aviator, oversized, walker, and wraparound styles, are often worn with vintage clothing. The originals can be found at thrift stores, yard sales, and online auctions. Aviators were first worn by pilots in the 1940s, while Wayfarers became popular in the 1980s due to product placement in movies. Oversized sunglasses, also known as “Jackie-Os”, were made popular by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in the 1960s.
Retro sunglasses are styles that were popular in previous decades. These glasses include aviator, oversized, walker, and wraparound. Retro glasses are most often worn in conjunction with retro clothing to create a vintage look. Many retro-style glasses are still available as new purchases at sunglass stores, but for the actual originals, buyers typically turn to thrift stores, yard sales, and online auction sites like eBay.
Pilots in the 1940s wore aviator sunglasses in an effort to reflect the sun’s glare during flight. The sunglasses had a wire-rimmed frame, and the lenses were made of mirror-reflective material. When worn, the eyes were not visible and when looking at the user, the person would only see a reflection of themselves. Sunglasses later became a popular fashion accessory after being worn by Tom Cruise’s character in the hit movie “Top Gun.”
Another style of retro sunglasses for men and women is the Wayfarer. Originally designed in 1952 by the Ray-Ban Company, the Wayfarer was advanced for the time due to its injection-molded plastic manufacturing process. The sunglasses had frames made of plastic instead of metal, making them much lighter. The frames were shaped like a trapezoid and came to a point at the top outside of each lens.
During the 1980s, Wayfarers were one of the best-selling sunglasses when the glasses began to appear in movies and television shows. The Ray-Ban Company had collaborated with film companies and had entered into a product placement agreement. Two of the most notable movies with main characters wearing walkers were 1980’s “Blues Brothers” and 1983’s “Risky Business.
Wraps are a style of retro sunglasses worn by either men or women. As the name implies, wraparound lenses include tinted lenses on the side of the face as well as the front. Glasses are generally constructed of molded plastic and are designed to protect the eyes from strong sunlight. Wraps can also be used as eye protection for people who play sports, yard work, or activities that may cause airborne debris.
Oversized retro sunglasses were made by a variety of companies, but were relatively similar in design. The most common look of oversized glasses is the rounded frame that completely covers the eye and the surrounding part of the face. Oversized sunglasses are worn by women and became very popular during the 1960s after Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis wore them. Later known as “Jackie-Os”, these sunglasses are still popular today.
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