Sunglasses have been seen in pop culture periodically throughout the 20th century. They definitely help to accessorize whatever look you are looking for, be it glamorous, cool, or giddy hippie. If you love sunglasses like I do, you might be interested in learning about the different styles of sunglasses that have been popular in the 20th century. Below are some of the most popular frames and styles.

Aviator: Most frequently made by Ray Ban, Aviator sunglasses have gone up and down in popularity since they first appeared. They were first designed in 1936 and were intended for American military airmen. They became a huge trend among young people in the 1960s, leading to other aviator styles such as mirrored, colored, and wraparound styles. The popularity of aviators fell in the 1990s, but then regained popularity around 2001 with many Hollywood celebrities.

Large size: Like aviators, oversized sunglasses have fallen and risen in popularity since their debut. Jackie O started the oversized sunglass trend with its gigantic black frames in the 1960s. This quickly became a popular item with women. They fell in popularity in the 1970s, when they began to be used for comic and theatrical purposes. Elton John often wore oversized sunglasses as part of his shows. They became fashionable again in the 1980s among celebrities and street children. They fell in popularity in the 90s with the grunge era, but we see oversized sunglasses making a return to popular culture, with celebrities commonly seen wearing their coffee and oversized frames.

Tea shades: These are also often referred to as “John Lennon glasses” or “Ozzy Osbourne glasses”. Sometimes they are even called “granny glasses”. These were most popular in the 1960s by the hippie counterculture. They come in all kinds of colors, including black, purple, and red, and are known for their psychedelic characteristics. When tea shades were extremely popular in the 1960s, celebrities and rock stars were often seen wearing fancy and elaborate sunglasses. They were often excessively large, mirrored, and made in different colors. The more exclusive the lens, the more popular they were. Rock stars like Jimi Hendrix, Mick Jagger, and Janice Joplin were often seen wearing unique tea-colored sunglasses. Tea shades are hard to find today as a fashion item, but can be found in costume stores or online.

Sunglasses are an item that everyone should have, not only because they protect our eyes from the sun, but because they can add to your look and complete your wardrobe. If you love sunglasses but can’t afford to constantly shop for expensive pairs, buying wholesale sunglasses may be a good option for you. You can save money and get great looking sunglasses at the same time.