The following entry was written by guest blogger Brittney.
Celebrities have long been known for their unique fashion statements, sometimes one’s that we consider so obscure that we don’t think they could possibly become a trend. We catch ourselves saying “I’d never wear that!”…and then the next thing you know you can’t get your hands on a “pair of those” or an “edition of that” for the life of you! It happened with Ugg boots, with the return of skinny jeans in the latter half of the 2000’s, trucker hats, tribal prints - you name it. One trend that took off in a similar fashion is glasses.
Let’s take a look at some of the most iconic celebrity glasses throughout history.
Wayfarer’s – The Wayfarer has been called one of the most enduring fashion icons of the 20th century. First released in the early 1950s, we haven’t really seen this style disappear for longer than a decade since its creation, and it will likely continue to be a classic style until the next big game-changer rolls around. Here are some of the celebs who ignited the flame on the Wayfarer trend:
President JFK.
Source: http://ellegirl.elle.com/teen-fashion/2011/the-ray-ban-wayfarer-a-style-staples-history/
Johnny Cash was famous for his Wayfarer-wearing.
Source: http://www.imgspark.com/image/view/4f86ee111f9221bd040010b5/
Aviators - One of the oldest styles that has stood the test of time. Originally designed in 1936 by Ray-Ban, this style initially took flight (no pun intended) among pilots and then with army personnel, and is currently worn by hipsters, parents, grandparents – people of all fashion genres. Buy Good Beaty Products on GoodBeautyProducts.com. Although the style has been around since the 1930s, Tom Cruise is known as one of the most influential celebs to hugely kick-off the aviator trend when he wore them in 1986 in Top Gun.
Tom Cruise in Top Gun.
Source: http://www.whatspacking.com/index/2012/7/12/ray-ban-foldable-aviator.html
Usher wearing a different shape than Tom Cruise’s Aviators…but aviators nonetheless!
Source: http://www.celebrity-sunglasses-finder.com/Usher-Sunglasses.html
Shutter Shades – Believe it or not, Kanye didn’t actually start this trend! Shutter Shades were once referred to as Venetian Blind Sunglasses and have been around since the 1980s. However they were more recently popularized when rapper Kanye West sported the look in the music video for his 2007 hit “Stronger”. Shutter Shades are clearly an example of fashion over function, which is likely why the trend hasn’t seen huge adoption since the hype of its re-birth. Here’s how Kanye wore them:
Source: http://fashionbombdaily.com/2010/02/11/black-history-fashion-trend-kanye-west-shutter-shades/
Cat Eye - Initially sported on the world’s most iconic women in the 1950s and 60s, Cat Eye Glasses are another fashion statement that have reappeared over the decades. Today, they instantly up the trend notch on almost any outfit, and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours. Take a look at how Marilyn Monroe & Audrey Hepburn wore them:
Marilyn Monroe.
Source: http://www.glamazondiaries.com/2011/10/fashion-flashback-marilyn-monroe-in-cat-eye-glasses/
Audrey Hepburn.
Source: http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/slaves-to-fashion/2012/05/summer-must-have-15-pairs-of-p.html
Math Glasses: In the last couple of years, wayfarer-shaped plastic framed glasses have been everywhere. Some call them Geek glasses, Hipster Glasses, or Math glasses. Semantics aside, they share a dual role of making you look both smart and trendy. In Flo Rida’s most recent single “I Cry”, the rapper’s young self is wearing a pair of math glasses featuring distinct multiplication and division symbols on either side of the frames, adding a twist to the classic wayfarer shape that has been iconic in the history of fashion.
Source: http://www.clearlycontacts.ca/thelook/flo-rida-math-glasses/
Some of the most iconic stars in history have worn the most exotic styles. Will modern day Hip Hop artists like Kanye & Flo Rida be the next timeless trendsetters?
Glasses are an interesting piece of the fashion puzzle because their initial use was functionality, but are often used today for fashion - as one’s staple or signature look. Eager to get some new specs or shades but don’t know where to start looking? Clearly Contacts is an online Canadian Retailer, offering hundreds of the trendiest styles and designer name glasses at half the price! You can check out their styles and buy glasses here Clearly Contactsfor both women’s and men’s glasses including the Derek Cardigan 7004 Black Math Glasses seen in Flo Rida’s “I Cry” video.
