Funky Glasses For The Summer: '60s Style

During quarantine, we’re all thinking and planning outfits and accessories for the summer, longing and hoping for those summer days and outfits to come true. In the meantime, we have plenty of time for online shopping and researching accessories we can have fun with for this summer, or in the future. I want to touch upon funky vintage sunglasses that mimic the style of sunglasses in the ‘60s. The groovy sunglasses from the ‘60s represented a popular style that was up and coming during this decade: mod. The mod (modern) style started in London and consisted of stylish clothing that included bold patterns, prints, and colors. This style rubbed off heavily in accessories, like sunglasses. 

Sources: Pinterest and Twitter

The oversized rounded sunglasses

Source: Pinterest

The sunglasses to the left and middle add a vintage flair to a look, truly representing the ‘60s style. The first pair of sunglasses are from Warby Parker; the amazing part about buying a pair of Warby Parker glasses is that they have a Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program, giving to those who have visual impairment and can not afford glasses.

The pair of sunglasses in the second picture are from a sustainable sunglass brand called Sticks & Sparrow; these glasses are for that eco-friendly buyer that adore the vintage look. The frame of the sunglasses are made of bamboo—a renewable resource. These sunglasses were a completely new look in the ‘60s, as the style was shifting to be more modern and youthful. From the ‘60s to now, the oversized round sunglasses are seen in almost every retail store—as well as designers like Stella Mccartney and Alexander McQueen. The trend might have had its ups and downs, but never became a total fad. The oversized round sunglasses can be worn for the summertime to change up a normal look, or if you’re feeling fashionable and nostalgic. 

The mod sunglasses

Sources: i-D and Pinterest

These round sunglasses are smaller when it comes to the frame. They are definitely less dramatic than the oversized round sunglasses, and more modernized overall. This sunglass frame is more common today in retail stores when it comes to younger consumers. This style showcases the hippie-chic side of the ‘60s that still translates today in youth culture.

The black and white sunglasses in the first picture are from Unique Vintage; this website offers purely vintage-esque clothing and accessories from the 1920s-1970s. I found this to be a very special store for those who like to turn back time instead of keeping up with the trends. The second pair of sunglasses in the next picture is from Sticks & Sparrow. These sunglasses have a modern and earthy tone with its brown gradient color scheme. Yet again, this company is a sustainable sunglasses brand; the sunglasses are made with bamboo, which is a strong, renewable resource.

The rectangle sunglasses

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There is a pattern when it comes to these sunglass designs from the ‘60s and ’70s—it’s all geometric. We are moving on from circles to straight rectangles now. Sunglasses were becoming even more modernized and futuristic in the ‘60s and ‘70s when this style came along. The rectangle sunglasses are more prominent now in 2020 with youth culture than 60 years ago. We continuously see this style on the streets, and as well as on numerous Instagram influencers. The rectangle sunglasses could definitely be used as a statement piece with a popping color or pattern. The glasses in the first picture are from Free People, a very boho and late ‘60s and ’70s influenced. The red shiny marble sunglasses in the second picture are from Unique Vintage again—I would consider these sunnies a statement piece. 

Clout goggles

Source: Pinterest

These sunglasses are no stranger to anyone. Ever since these sunglasses resurfaced around 2017, they’re all the rave in retail stores and have been worn consistently since then. The oval sunglasses look like giant goggles on the face—in a stylish way. Now, these sunglasses haven’t always been called “clout goggles.” The term “clout goggles” came from rapper Denzel Curry stating, “These ain't glasses, baby, these are Clout Goggles."  To me, these sunglasses are the epitome of the mod style in the ‘60s. The white and yellow sunglasses in the first picture are from Diff Eyewear, and the pink sunglasses are also from Diff Eyewear. Diff Eyewear is a charitable eyewear company that helps those in need of eye exams, glasses, medicine, and surgery through every pair of their glasses sold. So why not be stylish and give back at the same time? 

The clout goggles may be nothing new to whoever is reading—you probably already have a pair, or maybe you’re interested in a pair with funky colors or patterns. All you have to do is whip them out for the summer, because the clout goggles aren’t going anywhere for a while.

The super funky fashion forward sunglasses

Sources: Pinterest and Voices Of East Anglia

Looking deep into what sunglass styles were being worn in the ‘60s, I noticed how a majority of the designs were extravagant and a little wacky. It all relates to mod and futurism thriving in the ‘60s— to what we know as Retrofuturism. The art movement of space and futurism in the ‘60s represents predictions of what is to come later on.

This style of sunglasses is a statement piece in itself; if you’re looking for something out of the box for the summer, or you have a unique take on accessories, these sunglasses are what you’re looking for. The white pair of sunglasses in the first picture are from Ember Niche. Ember Niche is a black-owned modern eyewear company from NYC. These glasses have a similarity to the clout glasses, but there is a twist to the shape leaving it to be more modernized.

The bat-shaped sunglasses in the second picture are from Unique Vintage—these glasses are more fashion forward and can be worn all year round, especially on a summer day for an edgier look. The next black sunglasses in the third picture are from Giant Vintage. This online shop mostly has genuine vintage glasses from wide variety of different styles, shapes, and decades. Lastly, the pink and silver sunglasses in the fourth picture are from Giant Vintage as well; these glasses are actually vintage men’s sunglasses, and are perfect for the fashion forward man who is into vintage futuristic styles.