70s Glasses & Sunglasses That Made the Decade Iconic
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The 1970s were a time of fashion extremes - disco sparkle, folk simplicity, and glam rock excess. It was an era when everything was big and blingy, with free-form tailoring. Gone were the days when simplicity in eyewear was a part; this decade was full of colour, pattern, and personality. From ovals to oversized pilots, there was something for everyone. The colours were more vibrant and people were spotted wearing glasses and sunglasses in various colours like burnt orange, harvest gold and avocado green.
Big the Better: Oversized Glasses & Sunglasses
In the 1970s, funky and oversized sunglasses were quite popular. They were considered a fashion staple. With changes in technology, these frames had lenses made of polycarbonate rather than glass, which made them a lightweight and comfortable pair to don all day. But, many celebrities felt that wearing bigger sunglasses would hide their face from paparazzi (which was not true, though!). Even today, these frames are quite popular among all age groups. Available in so many different styles, anyone can wear these.
Gradient Sunglasses: A Hit Among Celebs
It was the decade of change, from solid tints to gradient tints. If you are not aware of what gradient tint is, let me tell you. They have a visual effect going from dark at the top and fading gradually towards the bottom. They are great to have different viewing zones, but fashionistas didn’t use them for that purpose. Gradient sunglasses were worn because of their aesthetic appeal and style.
The Era of Elton John Eyewear
Yes, you read that right, the 1970s were the time of Elton John, too. A songwriter and seasoned musician is known for his impeccable taste in fashion. He got fame in the 1970s, but since then he has always been the talk of town for his looks, clothes, sunglasses and of course music. Over the years, he wore a lot of colourful and stylish glasses, but in 70s he was seen wearing the round metal sunglasses and glasses with different coloured tints.
Jackie-O Sunglasses: Oversized Oval Frames
Big, bold black sunglasses were one of the most popular among women in the 1970s. Various celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Brigitte Bardot and Sophia Loren were in love with this chic and sophisticated style. They got their name as Jackie-O sunglasses because they were an iconic part of Jackie Kennedy’s outfits. In today’s time, they are termed as Butterfly sunglasses, because of their oversized, curvy style.
Retro Round Glasses and Sunglasses
What do you think when you hear words like disco, glitter and glamour? Well, it’s retro, and the 70s were the time of that. Round metal glasses and sunglasses were also worn by many people in this era. In the 1960s, they were popular because of John Lennon and The Beatles, but in 70s they also became one of the most worn ones. The sleek and sophisticated style was also preferred by Ozzy Osbourne, leader of the metal band Black Sabbath.
Pop Culture-Inspired Pilot Frames
Initially invented for pilots, these glasses and sunglasses have gained immense love over the years. It is a timeless style that has been in trend for decades now. Earlier, they were only found in a tear-drop style, but now they have changed so much and are available in squares, rectangles and rounds too. These were popularised by the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.
Concluding Thought
With this, we have done a time travel in the 1970s and found how different styles of glasses and sunglasses were popular at that time. All these eyewear styles are still in trend, and you can find them in our collection. At Specscart, we have a range of 1000+ fashion-forward frames that are crafted to the highest standards of British precision in our state-of-the-art Manchester glazing lab by optical technicians with a combined experience of more than 100 years.
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