Our Favourite ‘80s Sunglasses
The ‘80s are known for extreme fashions, with every item larger than life. Think: big hair, shoulder pads, parachute pants, and oversized sweatshirts on top of colourful spandex leggings. So it’s no surprise, really, that sunglasses from this era were just as big and loud as everything else. In this vintage sunglasses guide we’re going to break down the sunglasses styles that defined the decade so you can choose the best accessory for your look if you love the ‘80s as much as we do.
Clubmaster Sunglasses
Even though ‘80s fashion was known for being wild, there was at least one great style of sunglasses for the more conservative dresser: the Clubmaster. With wayfarer-like thick plastic frames on the upper rim that taper to a thinner metal, or rimless, lower rim, these are also known as browline glasses. ‘Clubmaster’ technically refers to the Ray-Ban® model, but today the name is used to define the style itself.
These sunglasses are double retro. The style was designed in the ‘50s but had a resurgence in the ‘80s, thanks to a popular American TV show called Moonlighting starring Bruce Willis (aka the then epitome of cool) as a clubmaster-wearing detective.
Thanks to the classic frame silhouette, this model looks great on nearly all face shapes. Because of the strong browline, they focus attention on your eyes, so tinted lenses are a popular option. These sunglasses are a sophisticated accessory for a sharp outfit, and are appropriate for more formal settings. Modern day designers like Tom Ford have updated the clubmaster to give a contemporary spin to this understated and timeless design.
This was one of the best-selling sunglasses styles of the ‘80s, along with wayfarers and aviators, which means you’ll definitely be able to find these in the vintage selection at Vestiaire Collective. Purchasing Clubmasters pre-loved on Vestiaire will lend your style a hipster-chic vibe with a touch of nostalgia. And, of course, shopping second-hand on Vestiaire means that your accessories won’t come with a big carbon price tag — a major win for Fashion Activists everywhere.
Neon Sunglasses
We can’t say ‘80s without thinking of neon. Looking back at the style of the decade, it’s hard not to picture all the neon that people wore and not have an immediate elevation in mood. The fashions of the time were never overly serious, in fact, they were downright delightfully goofy. It was an era of great pop culture, zany fashion and general optimism. One shining symbol of ‘80s fashion was Cyndi Lauper, whose personal anthem Girls Just Wanna Have Fun just might be the theme of the entire generation who grew up during those times. Lauper never shied away from making a statement so it is natural that she was a fan of neon sunglasses.
While neon sunglasses are a fun way to add a pop of colour, you don’t need to worry about going over the top. Celebrities of the modern era embrace neon as the main course. Take a look at Rihanna who’s often been seen in head-to-toe neon. Or Kim Kardashian, who is not only a proponent of full neon ensembles, she’s even coordinated neon cars with her outfits. We aren’t suggesting you go out and buy a car to match your sunnies, we’re just saying you can be brave with your neon. You deserve to stand out.
Versace is one fashion house that is taking modern neon sunglasses to the next level. Their Medusa Biggie sunglasses come in four fluorescent colours with an opulent gold Medusa medallion on the sides. If you are looking for a contemporary luxury twist on the ‘80s neons, look for these on Vestiaire Collective.
The ‘80s was a time when people were not afraid to be bold. If you want to have a throwback to the ‘80s summer, you’ve got to pick up a pair of neon sunnies from Vestiaire Collective. While you’re at it, embrace the neon accessories with some neon leg warmers and big hooped earrings. It’ll definitely brighten up your summer.
Triangle Frame Sunglasses
For a distinctly fashion forward look with an ‘80s vibe, look no further than the triangle frame sunglasses. This style was born of the punk movement which adopted the cateye frames of the ‘50s and ‘60s and gave it a decidedly sharper edge. The punk movement that started in the ‘70s remained strong in the ‘80s and gave the decade many shapes and statements in fashion. The triangle sunglasses were the fashionista frames of the ‘80s. As an enduring option, they will give your look a totally funky and cool style even years into the future. Just ask Billie Eilish who sported a pair of triangle frames to accept her win at the ASCAP Pop Music Awards in 2019.
She’s not the only celebrity helping the resurgence of the style. Zoe Kravitz chose triangle sunglasses for her cover shoot with L’Officiel Paris in 2019 and since then we can’t get enough of this throwback look. Saint Laurent has created many iterations of triangle sunglasses for women, including multicoloured mirrored lenses for a modern look. We recommend shopping for triangle glasses second-hand on Vestiaire Collective as an important step in helping to reduce landfill waste caused by discarded fashion items.
If you’ve already decided you want more pizzazz in your sunglasses than just the standard round or oval lenses, triangle is an excellent choice but it’s not the only one. You can find other unique geometries in sunglasses such as diamond and heart shaped designs, too. Whichever one you choose, having a nontraditional shape can be a wonderful addition to your summer collection to give off a youthful vibe. Unique shapes lend themselves well to tinted lenses, so you can experiment to find the perfect match for your style.
80’s Sports Sunglasses
Bono became a global superstar in the ‘80s and his iconic look is characterised by his wraparound sunglasses that are still loved by many today. What many don’t know, though, is that these glasses weren’t designed for the stage, but for sports. That shows how versatile sunglasses can be when form and function merge together in a single pair of shades. Thanks to their high performance ability, wraparounds are a style that will last for generations.
Wraparounds get their name because they curve around the face, enabling the wearer to have a very secure pair of shades for vigorous sports. Work hard, play hard could be the motto of this look. They also offer more UV protection than other sunglasses styles due to the larger zone of coverage. If you are buying these with sports in mind, light-weight plastic frames are your best bet. But if style is your main priority, you could veer towards heavier materials if you prefer that aesthetic. Another consideration when buying this style is whether you want a continuous lens or a separate lens for each eye.
Spring 2019 saw top names like Prada and Balenciaga designing wraparound sunglasses with a futuristic aesthetic. Dare we say, a hint of robot chic? Prada’s Linea Rossa shades are a win for blending streetwear and sportswear with luxury. Because these are being increasingly designed with the future in mind, these are a sunshine accessory that we expect to enjoy popularity for quite a long time. Which is good news if you care about the environment and don’t want to shop for fast fashion.
White Frame Sunglasses
The ‘80s were the time to be bold which is one reason why people loved to wear full-rimmed sunglasses in bright and vibrant hues. One of the most popular frame colours of this decade was bright white. It was a good balance between the really over-the-top neon frames of the era and the conservatism of a brown or black frame. White frames were the perfect pick for sunglasses for daily wear. Luckily, ‘80s style is alive and well in the present day and white-framed sunglasses are an evergreen look for a variety of outfits.
White sunglasses are most commonly made with a plastic frame but the shape comes in a variety of styles. Oval frames that are associated with Kurt Cobain are often called clout goggles, and are very popular choices amongst streetwear fans. For a chic look that is perfect for summer, or anytime of year, try an oversized white frame. Whatever your favourite sunglasses style is — aviator, cateye, or wayfarer — you can get them in white frames for a fresh summer look. Saint Laurent even offers a pair in heart-shape which is sure to turn heads.
White glasses are clean, classic and neutral without being boring, so you never have to worry about them going out of style. Shop our vintage selection of ‘80s sunglasses to buy your next sunnies in a sustainable way.
So this was our round-up of the top ‘80s sunglasses fashion. Now you can realise your dream of living in the greatest decade — or at least dressing like you do. The great thing about selecting accessories from other decades is that you can have just a hint of decade nostalgia if you wish, or go for full perm and scrunchies for an all-out ‘80s look!
You can’t go wrong with any of the sunglasses on this list. They were the best styles of an entire decade of fashion, so even though they have the flavour of the ‘80s, they are now bonafide classics for all time. Finding the best styles of a previous decade is a great way to determine what has staying power in the fashion world so you don’t need to shop for new sunglasses styles each season in a manner that isn’t sustainable.
Even though sunglasses might seem like a small item, accessories make up a big portion of a person’s wardrobe. That’s why it’s important to buy sunglasses in an environmentally responsible way, like buying second-hand. Shopping for vintage and retro sunglasses on Vestiaire Collective is the best way for a Fashion Activist to find pre-loved shades without participating in a wasteful fashion cycle. It’s the sustainable way to build a wardrobe with unique pieces at affordable prices. Thanks to over 10 million global members, we bet you’ll be able to find the perfect sunglasses in that fun ‘80s style in a way that makes you feel like you did something good for the planet. Because you did!
Check back soon to see our favourite ‘90s sunglasses and let’s keep this trip through memory lane going.