The Skinny on: Sunglasses

I think Corey Hart said it best. "Don't switch a blade on a guy in shades".

Historically, sunglasses have been an iconic part of accessorising. A symbol of importance, mystery, and coolness, growing increasingly synonymous with celebrity culture and the 'high life'. Don't just take my word for it: in 12th Century China, sunglasses were used in court in order to hide expressions during interrogations; it was even suggested Emperor Nero used polished gems as an early concept of 'sunglasses' when watching gladiator fights. You may not find yourself in court or stuck between a gladiator and a hard place anytime soon, regardless - here is the skinny on sunglasses.

Quick history lesson. The first prescribed use of tinted lenses was actually as an aid to syphilis sufferers, due to the symptom of light sensitivity; however, sunglasses' associations of poor health were soon shed like snake skin for the new persona of 1920s Hollywood glamour. Celebrities parading around in oversized sunglasses equally served a practical purpose alongside its aesthetic of glamour and wealth, providing relief from bright studio lights and making their identity more covert. So - in 2020, sunglasses (in every iteration of shape, size and colour) have resurfaced as a fashion staple for all - whether you have syphilis or not.

The Trends: What are They and Why Should I Care?

Welcome to the 60s: Thankfully moving forward from the homogeneity of y2K Ray-Bans and Aviators, there's been a resurgence in thick plastic frames - a style notably popular in the 1960s. The current trends seem to incorporate many anachronistic elements taken from every era of sunglasses, but the commonality between the sunglasses is the thick plastic frames, as seen on the catwalk, on the pages of Vogue, and all over your Instagram homepage.

2000s Ugliness: It's not all nostalgia and sunny skies. A retro style that has reared its ugly head includes the painfully thin frames, coloured tints, and the narrow lenses of the 2000s. This is a particularly good choice if you enjoy the trend of 'ironic fashion' at the moment. Never has dressing 'stylishlessly' been so fashionable. Blending the energy of the 1970s and the early 2000s, these narrow sunglasses perfectly encapsulate the laidback attitude of sun, sea, and irony. If you wholly believe that 'ugly is the new black', I bid you run wild with young Mary-Kate and Ashley, but likewise prepare for abuse to be hurled at you by fashion fanatics - by which I mean me.

It will be me hurling abuse at you.

So... it's like a secret society?: Taking more respectable advice from y2K fashion trends, it's clear that the sophistication and classiness of Cruel Intentions have massively influenced the modern sunglasses trends; the more black, the more opaque, the more secretive: the better... The slick and sleek style give an air of inimitable chicness that can exclusively be achieved by a wicked scandal of upper-class incest, seduction and betrayal - or sunglasses work too. 

Cue Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve.

We need guns. Lots of guns: Admittedly, I haven't seen The Matrix, but I will commend them on their impeccable fashion choices. Echoing the sleek chic of Cruel Intentions, here we have secrecy in its purest form - a super-spy style that has suddenly resurfaced and in doing so dominated most retailers' collections for this Spring/Summer. Add to your personal mystique with a twist of special agent chic with these opaque black shades - in combination with a black pleather trench coat if you think you can really hack the MI5 wardrobe.

The Classic Oversized: If there's ever been a hard and fast rule for my life, it's: when in doubt, have Breakfast at Tiffany's. And I believe that rule applies with sunglasses. I sympathise with all the confusion at the hand of the sheer multitude of shades currently in fashion - especially considering the trend of 'reverse fashion'.  What's fashionably ugly, and what's just definitively ugly? Therefore, I provide you some solace in the form of the classic, oversized sunglasses. Much like the iconic fashion houses (like Chanel, Dior, Prada, etc.), this style captures a sense of timelessness with its bold yet understated optical statement. A staple for any eyewear enthusiast.

If you managed to leave your cynical comments about there being no demand for sunglasses as a result of 'the British Summertime' to one side, I hope this blog was a helpful reflection of the current sunglasses trends and the anachronistic styles that have had a significant influence on these modern styles. Whether the sun be shining or not (probably not), enjoy your new-found respect for sunglasses and, of course, you mustn't forget "don't switch a blade on a guy in shades".

Yours truly,
Em Cav