In the famous words of Yves Saint Laurent, “Fashions fade, style is eternal.” – and, we couldn’t agree more. Everyone can follow trends and be fashionable but not everyone can turn fads into a style statement. That’s what made Audrey Hepburn, Jackie O and James Dean fashion icons. It’s the style that sets apart trendsetters and fashion ingénues from the legends.
So what makes a trend go from runway breakthrough to one-for-the-history-books? The answer, ladies and gentlemen, is “timelessness” – that which does not seem to be changed by time or affected by changes in fashion. Over the years, we’ve seen countless trends come and go like poodle skirts from the ‘50s, psychedelic prints from the ‘80s and hammer pants from the ‘90s, but there are a few trends that stood the test of time and we’re glad they did! What would Audrey Hepburn’s Little Black Dress be without those iconic cat-eye sunglasses or James Dean’s white t-shirt and worn-in jeans be without the legen-wait for it-dary wayfarers?
Sunglasses just like any other accessory can make or break an outfit, and in some cases turn them into fashion icons. But there’s always a catch, you can’t just throw on any pair of sunglasses and expect to look like a style god, oh no! You need a pair of sunglasses that’s equally or even more iconic to pull off a timeless look. To make things easier for you, we’ve lined up five timeless sunglasses that will instantly upgrade your look.
Aviators
Aviator sunglasses have been around since the 30s (that’s right!) when they were initially designed for air force pilots. Soon this cool pair of sunglasses made its way to the silver screen and then straight into our hearts! I bet you that no one, no one, can look bad in a classic aviator. If you’re going to invest in a pair of aviators, we suggest warm brown lenses in a gold frame that will flatter any outfit.
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Wayfarers
When James Dean wore wayfarers in Rebel Without A Cause, little did he know that it would soon go down in history as an icon of fashion. The best part about the wayfarer is its modern style – one that’s not exclusively masculine or feminine. Over the years, this classic has seen its fair share of trends like playful prints, neon brights and artistic collaborations but its style remains unchanged. We prefer the classic all-black wayfarers that make for one cool look!
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Cat-eye
Nothing beats a classic cat-eye pair of sunglasses! They are always in style, look very high fashion and take your style to the next level. If there’s one word to describe it – it’s timeless! From Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn to Scarlett Johansson and Rihanna – everyone’s a fan of the classic cat-eye sunglasses. And just like the wayfarer went through a series of fashion upgrades over the decades, the cat-eye too in spite of the fads, continues to add grace and elegance to any outfit.
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Horn-Rimmed
The devil is in the details and with these iconic pairs of sunglasses, it’s the only detail. While the name may sound sinister, horn-rimmed sunglasses are devilishly gorgeous! They add the right amount of edge to an otherwise minimal design, which is what makes it such a classic. Team it with jeans and a t-shirt or an ethnic ensemble, it’ll make any outfit look a class apart.
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Rounded
Way back in the 1900s, the humble round wireframe sunglasses were all the rage, you could say these were THE original sunglasses. The round frame sunglasses have come a long way since but still continue to hold their charm. From simplistic black and metal sunglasses in the old days to rose tinted lenses made popular by John Lennon in the 70s. Fast forward to 2021 and these round metal frame sunglasses are pretty much the same but available in so many different styles that suit every personality there is.
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