The 7 most iconic glasses styles in history
Updated JAN 26, 2023 • 4 min read
History of Glasses
It’s been hundreds of years since people have begun wearing glasses, for whatever reason they had. According to eyewear lore, it all started with the Romans, making the first piece of eyewear out of magnifying glasses to read small scriptures.
These days, we simply can’t live without glasses. But what are the staples for any eyewear collection? Eyewear is more than just optics; it’s culture, popularity and style.
These distinct stylish looks have been shaped by the rise of Hollywood films, advertising, wartime and fashion. Here is a brief history of glasses of the seven most iconic glasses, which have stood the test of time and are still considered stylish in.
Oversized
Aviator
Wayfarer
Rimless
Cat Eye
Round
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Round Sunglasses
Perhaps the best-selling shape of all time. This style of eyewear has been around for almost 100 years. Its rise to popularity began in the 1920s, used as protective eyewear for beach goers, and so merchants began selling them on boardwalks, and the rest is history. The classic and modern round glasses are quite common among all designer brands, including Prada sunglasses, Gucci glasses, as well as this glamorous look by frames by Christian Dior.
Clubmaster
The popular style of semi-rimless or faux semi-rimless frames rose to fame in the 1950s, with Ray Ban’s famous Clubmaster frames, famously worn by Malcolm X, Colonel Sanders and many others. Since being first introduced in 1947, it has gained popularity for having an adjustable nose bridge to fit many different face shapes. In the 1980s the semi-rimless/browline sunglasses became more popular, and these days they’re often worn for their retro chic.
Aviator
While aviator frames were originally designed for pilots, that’s not where the story ends. Aviators provided protective eyewear against the sun’s rays for pilots flying in the First World War, but eventually hit the mainstream in the 1930s. By the 1940s it was Hollywood spreading the word, with major stars and directors wearing them on and off movie sets. For quite some time it was the go-to cool style for me, but times have changed, and it’s no longer a men-only style. For a more classic aviator look, opt for the timeless Ray Ban aviator.
Wayfarer
Back in the 1950s, Ray Ban’s Wayfarer sunglasses were the epitome of cool. Throughout the decades, they’ve remained among the most iconic glasses styles. It remains an enduring symbol of the “bad boy look,” extremely popular among musicians across eras, like The Blues Brothers, Blondie and Depeche Mode. Part of its popularity originates from 1980s product placement deals, placing them in films like Risky Business and The Breakfast Club as well as TV series like Miami Vice. And it worked. For a classic pair of Wayfarers, check out this Ray-Ban frame, for something more modern, check out these.
Cat-eye
It all started in 1930s Italy, after American filmmaker and inventor Altina Carey saw that opticians didn’t have any stylish eyewear for women. She created a design of her own (the Harlequin frame), which was sold at a boutique in New York City. They became a symbol of style in the 1950s thanks to Marilyn Monroe wearing them, helping turn them into the sunglasses for women style in the 1960s and 1970s, with designers making more tweaks and variations. These days, minimalist cat-eye frames are more trendy. For something more dramatic, go for these oversized Muse sunglasses.
Panto
This classic, rounded (with a touch of oval) style started making a name for itself during the 2nd World War in the US military, worn by soldiers on desk duty. They gained further fame later in the UK through the NHS using the style as prescription eyewear for the masses, due to their lenses providing excellent field of vision. Today, they’re a mainstay of stylish eyewear for men and women. Check out this stylish, Panto sunglasses pair by Persol, or this elegant tortoiseshell frame by Ottoto.
Heart-shaped sunglasses
Heart-shaped sunglasses became a thing in the 1960s, probably thanks to Stanley Kubrick’s Lolita. The style later evolved to being associated with “free love” hippies, and then the wild disco era, and so on. The most notable of contemporary renditions is probably the heart-shaped shades worn by singer Lana del Rey, flaunting an oversized frame with colorful lenses. For a similar playful look that will never go out of style, check out this these beautiful Gucci shades .
Published July 24, 2021|Updated January 26, 2023
