How to choose the right model of vintage glasses
Despite the many options on the market, original vintage glasses are always a great certainty for lovers of refined style that never gets old.
These glasses from the past are indelible symbols of specific eras. After some time, they have now become real icons of a certain period and its “mood”.
How to choose the right vintage eyewear model
Are you at your first vintage purchase and still hesitant in front of a scratch? The time has come to understand that even that scratch is part of the high value of that frame, because it makes it unique.
Just as the signs of passing time tell of adventures and emotions on our faces, so it is also for vintage eyeglasses.
To choose the most suitable vintage glasses model , you can follow these steps:
- identify the decade you want to move towards;
- decide on the style you want to express;
- always consider the shape of your face;
- Customize your choice with ad hoc lenses.
Types and characteristics of the various models of vintage glasses
You can choose your vintage eyewear model by identifying the right one decade:
- 50s model. Characterized by a sensual allure, which refers us to the image of a woman with a bon ton shoe and a spotted fur. These features have given rise to iconic models such as cat eye, wayfarer and brow line.
- 60s model. Miniskirts and high boots proclaimed the rebellious spirit of the vintage, while rounded frames became the protagonists, while the white ones with dark smoked lenses became unforgettable.
- 70s model. The hippie culture proposed a return to spontaneity, while the preppy culture relaunched with sophistication, opposing flared jeans to structured jackets, metallic aviator glasses and oversized squares to round tortoiseshell frames.
- 80s model. A breath of glamour between backcombed hair and sequins brings back into vogue more squared butterfly, clubmaster, aviator, wayfarer, cat eye models played with colored lenses.
- 90s model. The rock soul recalls essentiality, with a faux-scruffy style in which glasses are reduced with metal frames, while the lenses and hair of punks are colored.
- 2000s model. The round figure projected towards a futuristic vision, materialized by dark masks with enveloping curves.
The vintage eyewear models that have made history
Some models of vintage glasses born in the last century have imposed themselves with their style and their characteristics in an important way.
These models, in addition to being sought after by collectors, are still imitated or reissued in new collections. Let’s see some of them together:
- “Cat-Eye”. A real institution, so much so that when it comes to vintage glasses they are often the first model you think of. This type of glasses have always been an expression of femininity and mischief. Worn by Hollywood stars such as Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, cat-eyes are timeless pieces, a must-have in every woman’s collection. Their particular shape then makes them suitable for any face shape. Over the years, numerous proposals have been developed both in terms of color and in terms of formats such as the “butterfly” or “maxi” variants.
- The oversized 70s. In the 70s, fashion saw very large frames, defined as “maxi”, which imposed themselves on the face to characterize it in an important way, maintaining a refined style. The colors were often shaded and bright to create sophisticated looks even in combination with very basic colored clothes.
- The teardrop or “Aviator” models, another great classic reworked and still used today by numerous brands including Ray-Ban and Carrera. Perfect for a casual but at the same time dynamic look, they are still a very sophisticated and impactful choice, also used in optical solutions.
- The Minimal models. Used in the cinematography of that decade, many models became iconic thanks to the small and sharp lenses. Recently taken up by many VIPs and influencers such as Chiara Ferragni, Kim Kardashan, Bella Hadid, minimal glasses are real collector’s items. It is impossible not to mention Cartier and Jean Paul Gaultier, undoubtedly among the most iconic and sought after by collectors.
What is the difference between vintage and retro model?
It is important to distinguish between the models of Glasses between vintage and retro. The latter is inspired by the past but is created with modern craftsmanship , from authentic vintage, made at least 20 years before the contemporary era.
In the eyewear world this difference is fundamental, because some opticians have been able to preserve the models of previous decades as a heritage and are now able to offer vintage glasses transforming them into true cult objects.
There are now numerous companies that produce eyewear, especially sunglasses, that recall the shapes of certain years.
The difference , however, in addition to the historical value, can often be seen from the manufacturing details and the craftsmanship quality, decidedly superior in the original products.
The result is that the value for money is unparalleled and therefore finding a collection of vintage glasses is an opportunity not to be underestimated.
To be sure of the purchase , it is essential to contact professionals in the field, who can correctly evaluate not only the originality of a product, but provide multiple options from their private collection.
