No outfit is complete without the perfect selection of accessories. Sunglasses are now as important an accessory as handbags. The 80s retro and classic styles are the trend for 2009. Bold colors are especially popular. Since today’s styles are so fun, everyone is able to show off their unique personality. The following styles are the current “must haves”:
Wayfarers:
Ray Ban designed and manufactured the Wayfarer in 1952. This design introduced the plastic to sunglasses. Although marketed to men and pilots, Hollywood starlets such as Audrey Hepburn popularized the wayfarer. The height of its popularity was in mid 1980s. Ray-Ban’s 1982 product placement deal and Tom Cruise wearing the Wayfarer in Risky Business boosted sales tremendously. Through out the years the design of the wayfarer has changed. In the mid 2000’s Hollywood Starlets brought back the original wayfarer. Ray-Ban noticed that the original wayfarer was commanding high prices on eBay. They were being worn by the elite Hollywood. Ray-Ban was very smart in 2007 to re-introduce the original wayfarer.
Aviators:
Ray Ban developed the original aviator in 1937. They sold these to the Army and Navy in 1941. Naval aviators were the first to wear these sunglasses. Hollywood celebrities popularized the aviator in the 1960s. However, the aviators hit their all time peak of popularity in 1980s following the movie, “Top Gun”. Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer wore these shades beautifully. The aviator is now seen on many current celebrities such as Kayne West, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Jennifer Aniston, Lindsay Lohan and Rachel Bilson.
Lolita Heart Sunglasses:
Celebrities, such as Nicole Richie, love to wear the Lolita heart sunglasses. These fun and flirty sunglasses were first worn in the 1962 movie, “Lolita”. You can find these fun sunglasses in every color.
Oversized:
Oversized styles are still very popular.
Millionaires:
Louis Vuittun’s popularized the millionaire style sunglasses. Celebrities such as Kayne West, Rihanna and Paris Hilton love this style. This trend is still going strong for 2009.
Devo:
Not only is Devo back on tour, the Devo sunglasses are also a popular fashion statement!
Shutter Shades:
In 2007, Shutter Shade inc. brought back a style originally introduced in the 1980s . . . The Shutter Shade. Instead of lenses these sunglasses have plastic horizontal strips (similar to a “shutter” window covering). Kayne West popularized the current style in his “Stronger” video. Since then they have been worn by several celebrities. In the 1980s, a similar style nicknamed “Venetian Blinders” was popularized by the group Simple Minds in their “Glittering Prize” video.
John Lennon Round Sunglasses:
A very strong trend in Women’s sunglasses is the round “John Lennon” frame.
New Wave Futuristic Asymmetric Square:
The new wave unique asymmetric square sunglasses are a celebrity hit.
Clear Lens Wayfarers:
It is no secret the days of hiding your eyeglasses is over. The sales of clear lens eyeglasses have skyrocketed. The new sexy is clear lens wayfarers. As worn by Johnny Depp and many other celebrities, these eyeglasses are the new “must have” accessory.