The sun is out! It's April in the UK and the bloody sun is bloody shining!
And now I'm going to jinx it with a Summer based post...
I couldn't find my sunglasses this morning, I lose things all the time, usually within the confines of my small one bedroom flat. Le sigh. So it looks like a need a new pair. Then I thought, ooh, a brief history of sunglasses might be fun, along with some shopping ideas.
You really didn't need my train of thought there, did you?
Anyway, according to Wikipedia (why reinvent the wheel?):
Inexpensive mass-produced sunglasses were introduced to America by Sam Foster in 1929. Foster found a ready market on the beaches of Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he began selling sunglasses under the name Foster Grant from a Woolworth on the Boardwalk.[6] By 1938 Life magazine wrote of how sunglasses were a "new fad for wear on city streets ... a favorite affectation of thousands of women all over the U.S." It stated that 20 million sunglasses were sold in the United States in 1937, but estimated that only about 25% of American wearers needed them to protect their eyes.[7]
Styles have changed a lot over the years and so below is a potted history and some modern examples:
the 1930s and 40s - the originals!
Early sunnies weren't necessarily the most face flattering but I love them nevertheless. Look at these examples. The shape tended to be round and the specs rather large
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| Life Magazine Archive |
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| Bette rocking some white framed sunnies |
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| stylesight.com |
The gold floral numbers below are uncannily similar to the top pair above - TopShop round sunflower glasses, £20
For the more demure: Black round sunglasses - £4.99, New Look
And some lovely white frames, £9 - ASOS
The 50s and 60s - the originals!
The 50s and 60s really had three main looks. The cat's eye - which epitomised the glamour and fun of the 50s, the large Wayfarer for mid 50s to mid 60s and the giant bug eye which look great with the more mod-ish 60s styles, taking influence from the space race.
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| Marilyn in cats eyes |
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| Audrey in oversized Wayfarer frames |
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| Jackie in bug eyes |
These pearl encrusted specs from Jeepers Peepers are just perfect! £18
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These are a tad less OTT, Brown animal print half frame sunglasses - £4.99, New Look
Metal frame cats eye sunglasses - oh so Marilyn! - £20, TopShop
Those transitional large Wayfarers - £10, ASOS
And the perfect bug eyes, Jeepers Peepers £18
You may even prefer to find original vintage frames. Through I would recommend getting these reglazed with more modern sun protective glass if you want to take care of your eyes.
I've always had a great service from Dead Mens Spex. They always have a large range of everything from Victoria to the 80s and can glaze your choice of frame using a prescription sunglass if needed.
These are fab!
What are your favourite glasses styles? Do you change up depending on your outfit or choose based on your face shape?
I have the one from Jeepers Peepers and can´t wait for the summer sun! xxx
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