It’s officially 2009! Welcome to the new year! Our crystal ball predicts that the retro look will be blazin’ this year! You won’t be able to turn a corner without seeing sweater-dresses, brightly colored tights, leggings (yes! They’re back!), and slouchy boots. What does this mean for eyeglasses, you may ask? BIG things! HUGE! With the vintage looks in full force, retro-looking eyeglasses will be all the rage when paired with your favorite outfits! How do you get away with pairing your favorite retro looks with your favorite vintage-style glasses without making yourself look out-dated? It’s easy and we’ll tell you how!
The 1950’s: back in the good ol’ days, Buddy Holly’s glasses were swell for guys and women like LeeRemick’s eyeglasses in Anatomy of a Murder were so nifty.
So how do you wear the outfits of the 1950’s without looking like you’re IN the 1950’s? Skinny jeans are hot these days, especially when worn with flats or loafers. Pair darker colored denim with a white shirt, perhaps a cardigan (a longer one is more modern looking) with some flat shoes and dark, plastic frames! Another option for women is to pair a modern looking bubble skirt with a tighter fitting tshirt, a pair of Mary-Jane shoes, and horn-rimmed glasses! Men can wear a cardigan as well but a black sweater over a white shirt with somewhat tighter jeans (think James Dean) is very hot!
The 1960’s: when hoppin’ and boppin’ shifted to swayin’ and protesting, clothing shifted from big and flowy to form-fitting and micro-mini. Faye Dunaway wore hip glasses in the Thomas Crown Affair and John Lennon switched between horn rimmed frames and metal eyeglass frames.
When replicating 60’s chic, it’s important to remember flower-power without looking like a flower-child. The early 60’s were great with jumpers and brightly colored outfits. Today, we have brightly colored leggings (they have MUCH better coverage) that pair very well with t-shirt dresses, sweater dresses, and modern jumpers. When wearing something brightly colored- remember to pick accessories to accent it, like earrings or a necklace, but stay away from making your entire outfit the same bright color… or even a few bright colors. You don’t need to look like a fruit salad.
The 1970’s: feelin’ groovy? So was Jan Smithers in her eyeglasses from the hit show WKRP in Cincinnati! Punkin’ out hard-core was Elvis Costello in his own version of the Buddy Holly eyeglass frame!
Fashion from the 70’s really wasn’t THAT bad… unless you were one of the Village People. Wide legged pants are best paired with eyeglass frames that are slightly more delicate with cool chunk heeled boots (it elongates the leg) and a slim-fitting tshirt or sweater. Higher-waisted pants are a wonderful alternative to the popular low-rise but don’t return to the 70’s, keep it modern looking. Men can still get away with wearing a plaid shirt (lighter colored – no lumberjack styles!) over a white tshirt with some loose fitting jeans and a pair of aviators!
The 1980’s: wide necked sweaters, leggings, leg warmers, sweater dresses, big hair AND big eyeglasses! Who can forget those times? Lots of people. D.M.C. of RUNDMC made big, black plastic eyeglass frames hip again! My first pair of glasses were similar to his – only blue!
Luckily, these styles are hot again but sweater dresses should only be worn with a thick belt and funky eyeglasses. Leg warmers can be worn under boots with leggings. Please steer clear of the big hair! Guys have it easy- a polo shirt with a popped up collar and aviators bring a modern take to Fast Times at Ridgemont High!