|
|
Ah, sunglasses, one of my favorite under-appreciated accessories. The average person owns one or two pairs of name-brand shades and wears them on the regular. For the serious fashionista, this is a no-go. Sunglasses can totally change the vibe of an outfit. Just think about some iconic decades: the 50’s saw the cat-eye lens, Jackie O. popularized the oversized frame in the 60’s, the 70’s were known for circular or brightly colored lenses…. I could go on. The point, fashion mavens, is that a little attention to something so seemingly insignificant as sunglasses can solidify your reputations as fashion gurus. Here are some tips when buying and wearing vintage sunglasses:
1. Make sure the frames fit your face, seriously. It doesn’t matter how expensive a pair of sunglasses may be, if they don’t look good on you, you shouldn’t be wearing them. Hint: This means you should bring a (trusted) friend when shopping.
2. Vintage glasses don’t have to be crazy expensive. Some awesome pairs are available online or in specialty boutiques for $20 to $50. If you plan on spending more than that, make sure they are actually vintage (not a vintage copy) and in good condition. Check the lenses for scratches. Check the hardware. Check the fit.
3. Once you’ve acquired your unique, stylized sunglasses, pick articles of clothing that go with the feeling of the era from whence they came. For example, some brightly colored 70’s retro shades will look awesome with a loud print or a sheer blouse. Rule of thumb: If you have an idea of the popular trends from the 50’s, 60’s, etc, match your sunglasses with the style of clothing from the same decade. It’s really hard to mess this up. If in doubt, search the internet.
4. You don’t have to spend crazy money in vintage boutiques trying to make your new shades seem authentic. Retro prints can be found in most modern clothing stores (at reasonable prices), and boho-styled layering is available to everyone (ie: slouchy tank, slim-fit cardigan, oversized grandpa cardigan, skinny jeans). Throw in a floral print and you’ve made your vintage look ultra-hip and ultra-feminine.
5. When in doubt, look in your closet. Try putting things together in new ways. Remember, eclectic screams vintage. If you think you can rock it, rock it with confidence, and I promise no one will notice if you don’t quite match.
contributed by Jenn Eisner, celebrity stylist
