70s glasses - our current obession
The seventies were all about making style statements in earthy brown tones, mould breaking materials and bold shapes. Take a peep at our favourite 70s glasses styles
koolshooters
Go big or go home, the 70s were not understated. Breaking free from the confines of the 50s and 60s, in the 1970s we began to consider glasses fashion accessories rather than just a medical device. For 1970s glasses - bold, oversized, experimental styles were the order of the day.
The seventies were about making style statements and showing personality in earthy brown tones, mould breaking materials and bold shapes. Here’s some of our favourite 70s glasses styles to get that seventies vibe…
oversized 70s glasses
The bigger the better, to stand out from the crowd and make a style statement, plus there’s so much more lens to see through. Original 70s vintage oversized glasses are the real deal. Perfect as sunnies, but also for those days when less is definitely not more.
70s Aviators
One of my personal faves, the 1970s aviator. First invented by Bausch and Lomb for RayBan as sunglasses for pilots in the 1930s, aviators resurface throughout the eras and were much loved in the 70s.
Metal or acetate, clear crystal, tortoiseshell, black or gold, there’s an aviator frame for every mood. And we can’t underplay our love affair with the double bridge.
70s Butterfly
Get your boho on with a 1970s butterfly. Break from the ordinary and bag yourself a beautiful butterfly shape glasses frame. Based on the wings of a butterfly, these have all the extra vintage design details to make your style extraordinary.
The seventies square
Bold chunky acetate, the seventies square style is not for the faint hearted. We love this strong 70s angular look giving us all the retro feels. Just add a roll neck and take a trip.
the drop side
Stand out from the crowd in a 70s drop side frame, usually accompanied by the most gorgeous detailing. More like works of art - from zoom meeting to kitchen disco with ease.
What’s your favourite 70s vintage look? Try some on in the comfort of your own home with our Home Try On service - add your prescription or a hint of a tint in peach or sand in true seventies style. Take a peep at our other retro 1970s styles.
Peace out.
Jo
The history of sunglasses
Take a trip down memory lane and check out the history of sunglasses as we celebrate International Sunglasses Day
It's International Sunglasses day and we think that's a day worth celebrating. Join us as we take a trip down memory lane and check out the history of sunglasses…
Ocean vintage sunnies
Sunglasses or 'suncheaters' have a colourful history, from the Roman Emperor Nero who viewed gladiator matches through an emerald, to the Inuits ingenious snow goggles design, featuring small slits to limit the suns access and prevent snow blindness.
Inuit wooden snow goggles
The Chinese were known to use pieces of smoky quartz as vision aids. Known as Ai Tai, meaning ‘dark clouds covering the sun’, the scrolls say they were worn in court to conceal their facial expressions during trials - handy!
The first tinted sunnies 'Goldoni Glasses' appeared in Venice, Italy in the late 18th century. Named after the famous playwright Carlo Goldoni, they were worn by gondoliers on the sunny canals of Venice. At the same time 'eye preservers' were popular in Britain with peeps that suffered from light sensitivity.
In the 1920s sunglasses were sold off the Atlantic City boardwalk by Sam Foster and became a fashion staple amongst the rich and famous. Actors and actresses loved them as they shielded their eyes from the blinding movie set lights. Off screen sunglasses were perfect for remaining incognito.
During World War II, the military designed spectacles for pilots that would enhance vision and reduce glare at altitude. The US Army Air Corps enlisted the help of eyeglasses maker Bausch & Lomb, who developed the iconic Ray-Ban Aviator in 1939. They went on to use ground breaking plastic molding technology in the 50’s and the Wayfarer was born.
In the 60s and 70s everything got supersized and we have Jackie O to thank for making oversized sunglasses a thing - and the rest as they say is history (of sunglasses).
Photo by Hust Wilson on Unsplash
Sunglasses are so important for blocking the sun's ultraviolet light. Exposure to light and UV radiation is linked to serious eye conditions... cataracts, macular degeneration, photokeratitis (corneal sunburn), and cancerous growths of the eye... ouch!
Protect your peepers by investing in quality sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB radiation. It's not the colour of the lenses, it's the percentage of UV protection that counts. Go for 100% every time. Although tiny 90s glasses are enjoying a revival, it's oversized or wraparound sunglasses that block the most sun, especially when those rays are bouncing off sand and sea.
Stay safe and celebrate those sunnies!
Check out our latest summer styles here.
Jo