Browline retro eyeglasses are the classic frames from the 50’s and 60’s made famous by the likes of Malcolm X and James Dean to name a few; both of which were men that pushed the boundaries of their time and left behind a lasting impression.
While some refer to them as horn-rimmed retro frames…the modern name is more browline eye frames; still, there is the name created by the legendary RayBan… “Clubmaster” which is now a registered trademark of the giant eyewear monopoly Luxottica that bought RayBan in the 80’s.
These distinctive frames consist of a broad, sometimes shaped upper frame: made of plastic and some metal then down to a thin metal beneath the lenses. They can be referred to as half frames, half-rims or full rims depending on the width of the thin metal on the bottom.
The black with the silver/ gold is one of my favourite standards.
“Malcolm-x” by Marion S. Trikosko – U.S. News & World Report Magazine Photograph Collection, Library of Congress, Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-ppmsc-01274. This image is available from the United States Library of Congress‘s Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID ppmsc.01274.
Celebrites and the general population a like wear these half rim frames as sunglasses as well as regular prescription glasses
What Are The Trends For Glasses This Summer ?
Let’s weigh in with what the stars have been wearing around town!
The hottest trends in eyewear — whether you’re looking for daily glasses or prescription summer shades.
Bold & Bright
~ Bright colors in classic or retro styles like cat eyeglasses or over sized glam glasses or the old wayfarer is the way to go. Seen on the streets was Gwen Stefani looking “HOT” in bright blue plastic round glasses and Miranada Kerr with bright yellow glasses
While most of us tend to see the trends as a basic guide there are some amoung us that are brave and daring with their sense of style. The designers of our time constantly show us what is on the far, far side of fashion.
The strongest trend by far are the round glasses , updated or vintage inspired…but here’s more:
Trend : Fun & Out There
Designers like Moschino and Nicholas K give us funky out-of-this world looks that are colorful and at times very funny! Prada shows great wooden frames taking the current trend of using wood as a medium to yet another extreme.
Trend: Aviator’s
Yes this does continue with updated looks and style lines or with the classic look…sunglasses are either tinted or mirrored. This sporty yet polished look has now become a timeless and classic style that when seen through the special touch of each design house.
Trend: Cat Eye
Here is another classic that is fast becoming an essential must have! Though these seem geared toward the fashionista with a bit of style and punch, cateyes frames are a great addition to anyone with a looks of curves. The lines offer a nice contrast to the rounding effect and can give great balance to your look. This look is quite sexy whether you pick the more retro version with large designed motifs, the delicate chic-modern rimless tinted styles. or the more softer cateyes that enhance and invite!
What makes these very cool ( because these are just a type of frame that is always available) is the NEW trend that has updated this look…the rimless portion of the frame is usually at the bottom or as in the browline styles we see the rim going straight across and the rest of the lenses are rimless. Here the rim is curved cheekily down the side of the lenses and teasing to go around but doesn’t. I think these create a very seductive look and give the eye a very lovely type of enhancement. YAY let’s have some fun with our glasses people! Other designers are a bit more modernist looking (Miu Miu) here they leave the top portion of the frames as rimless and put the rim around the bottom of the lenses.
Trend: Round Glasses
Retro round glasses ala John Lennon or even the huge ones as we have seen with Twiggy in the 60’s continue to push forward…here is another trend that has seemed have caught on quite strongly and is fast becoming yet another staple.
Versace, Gucci, Pucci, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Jason Wu, Dries Van Noten and so many more show round glasses as the staple detail of their collection. So get your round glasses one!
These round sunglasses are the “summer’s must have” according to Style.com
Trend: Square , Flat Top or Geometric Frames
Well here we go…these are the quintessential retro frames, these scream out the 70’s. I don’t really feel that square glasses have really had their fair share of the stage so it’s time now wouldn’t you say. From Miu Miu and Prada to Georgio some designers do show a version of any of these there. They are fun and inspire such a sense of style and je ne sais quoi that they are a positive addition to your wardrobe. By next year I think this trend will catch on in a stronger way.
Well we all know the trend that keeps on moving on…are we sick of it yet? Well not quite…”black frames and brown hair” seemed to be the look around the celebrity scene.