Even if there are already a lot of new styles for glasses these days, there are still plenty of men and women who are looking for vintage aviator sunglasses. This then makes you ask, “What’s in them that make them transcend time?” Is it because of their functionality, form, or history? Find out today.
The Popularity of Vintage Aviator Sunglasses
One of the reasons why vintage aviator sunglasses are still selling like hotcakes today is because they don’t look the same as the other optics that are being sold in the market. If the lenses used in some aviators are huge, the vintage ones are definitely way bigger. In fact, it’s common for older lenses to be three times as large as your eye socket. You would also notice that their frames are usually made of metal, and they could perfectly fit on your ears. This way, there’s a lesser chance that you’re going to drop your glasses or lose them.
You can also attribute its popularity with the people who have worn them. James Dean and Elvis Presley were just two of the well-known hot men of heydays who had don on these glasses, which were then called wayfarers. Moreover, though they were not as famous as these celebrities, aviators were worn by men who were in the force, such as the navy, army, and even the police.
Vintage aviator sunglasses were further popularized when the then Jacqueline Onassis started to sport huge sunglasses anywhere she went. In fact, her style was then called the Jacky O. Her sunglasses were not necessarily aviators, but it didn’t take away the fact that both types of optics shared huge lenses. It wasn’t long before a lot of women hunted for such glasses in their favorite optical shops.
Today, vintage aviator sunglasses were continued to be brought to life by a lot of celebrities, including Nicole Richie. She loved to wear anything vintage, and that includes sporting her own aviator.
Where to Get Vintage Aviators
Vintage aviators are also available in wide varieties of colors, most of them psychedelic or definitely eye-popping. It’s not surprising to see aviators that have yellow, orange, or red frames.
If you’re interested in getting your own version of vintage aviators, then, you may have to look for them in a number of great places.
You can begin your search in auction websites such as eBay. You would definitely find a lot of sellers who are offering old aviators at a very cheap price. Most of these glasses have been manufactured since the 1930s, the time when Ray-Ban came up with the line. However, the bulk of them were created around 1960s and 1970s. If you’re going for something authentic, make sure that you can confirm the production date and the brand.
You can also ask your grandparents and parents if they have existing aviators with them. The branded ones can definitely last for a long time, provided they are given proper care. This way, you won’t have to spend any money on brand-new vintage aviator sunglasses.