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Everything old is new again when it comes to fashion, and sunglasses are no different. High-end designers from across the fashion universe are offering an array of retro styles, quoting trends from every major fashion moment of the last 50 years. Instead of trawling vintage shops for old sunglasses, you can browse the Internet for vintage looks in the latest models from hot designers. Here’s where the trends are coming from, and where to find them.

1950’s-Style Sunglasses

Think of those big Chevy ‘57s with their tail fins, and you’ll start to put together the look that’s capped off by a pair of 1950s-style designer sunglasses. For a rockabilly look, there’s browline glasses, such as the Ray-Ban Clubmaster. Browline sunglasses have wire-rimmed, round lenses with a thick bar across the top. The Clubmasters were actually first released in the 1980’s, but they directly reference frame styles from the late ‘40s and early ‘50s. Oliver Peoples Boxley sunglasses keep this classic shape, but add a more technical silhouette with a slim wire arm bar.

Cat’s-eye sunglasses that slant up at the corners were a 1950’s staple. True cat’s-eye sunglasses should only be attempted by serious scenesters. The rest of us can put this 1950’s shape to work for us in more modified form. From Oliver Peoples, again, comes the Alina model of sunglasses, with a choice of muted colors, and Jimmy Choo (more famous for shoes), puts out a more classic model called simply “Kitty”.

1960’s-Style Sunglasses

The 1960s saw an explosion in wild fashion trends, from jazz hipsters to full-blown psychedelic hippies. As a result, there’s more than one way to quote this diverse decade. Think of it in terms of the Beatles: pre-1967, they wore sharp Italian suits and black Wayfarer-style sunglasses. You can choose the classic Ray-Bans, or any other designer that quotes this shape: Hugo Boss 0132, Gucci 1573, and D&G 8050s. For added ‘60s style, buy these sunglasses in tortoiseshell—there was a craze for shell and horn-rimmed glasses in the 1960s.

After 1967, the Beatles went full-blown hippie, best illustrated by John Lennon’s signature round glasses (and sunglasses). These “tea-glass” shapes are a very hot trend for the upcoming A/W 2010 shows. Try Prada’s SPR51I, Chanel 5120, or Giorgio Armani 558s. Choose colored lenses or colored frames to bring this forty-year-old fashion forward into the 21st Century.

The Kennedy Presidency defined fashion in the 1960s as well as policy, and the “Jackie O” sunglass shape—round, oversized lenses—has been back in vogue for a good six years now, with no signs of vanishing completely. In addition to the former first lady, this trend evokes classic film stars from French and Italian cinema: think Sophia Loren and Bridgitte Bardot. And then think Tom Ford and Marc Jacobs: these two designers have created gorgeous, luxe oversized sunglasses that immediately glamorize any outfit you care to throw together. From Tom Ford, try the Alessandra, Bianca, and Camilla model sunglasses. Then check out Marc Jacobs 022 and 212 sunglasses, for a distinctly 2000’s take on these 1960’s looks.

http://www.articlerich.com/Article/Vintage-Sunglasses-Trends--The-1950s-and-1960s/587168