For those who are nearsighted, farsighted or otherwise coping with less than perfect vision, glasses are more than a fashion accessory–they’re key to seeing the world clearly. Alternately, those gifted with perfect vision can wear nonprescription specs to add a stylish and hip flare to their ensemble. Vintage styles in particular have a allow you to use different eras as influence when crafting your look.
Cat-Eye Glasses
Women in the 1950s often sported cat eye glasses, which remain forever associated with the era of bobby socks and poodle skirts. The frames of cat-eye glasses were usually made of thick plastic and molded to form dramatic, peaked corners that angle upwards. The earpieces of the glasses attach to the tops of the corners, which usually have inlay decoration. Often, old cat-eye glasses can be found in thrift shops and on internet auction sites. You can fit them with new lenses for those seeking a vintage look.
Pince-Nez
Pince-nez glasses sit on the bridge of nose.
A common style of glasses in the first half of the 20th century (and well before that), pince-nez specs consist of lenses fitted into a thin frame that rest upon the bridge of the nose and have arms extending over the ears. Some variants have chains or hooks for the wearer to grasp, and the name “pince-nez” originates from the French for “pinched nose.” Presidents Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt and even cartoon character Scrooge McDuck all wore pince-nez glasses.
Monocle
The monocle is a single corrective lens, with or without a frame, worn in the eye socket with a cord extending downward to connect with the clothing for safe keeping. Monocles have been worn since the 18th century and aren’t often seen in the modern era (except on Mr. Peanut), but you can still purchase them from select opticians.
Horn-Rimmed
Modern horn-rimmed glasses have lighter frames.
Horn-rimmed glasses may be reminiscent of bookish nerds due to the thick, heavy frames. However, horn-rims can be quite stylish and are available with people on auction websites and in modern optical stores. Originating in the 1950s, horn rimmed glasses were originally made of tortoise shell, horn or plastic made to resemble one of the two. The thick frames were soon made famous by statesmen like Henry Kissinger and Barry Goldwater and modern rocker Rivers Cuomo of Weezer. Now, horn-rimmed glasses are sleeker, with lighter, thinner frames and have become a favorite style of eyewear.