From Updated Aviators to Refined Metals: These Are the Vintage Eyewear Trends You’ll See in 2021

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Take a quick scroll of any of your favourite fashion Instagram accounts and you’ll likely notice the most stylish yet cool looks have one thing in common: glasses. 

They’re an accessory that can both easily and quickly take your outfit to the next level depending on what you’re going for. Whether it’s classy and refined, a fun pop of colour, a new take on vintage, or a combination of all of these. That’s why the most stylish amongst us are rarely ever seen without them. 

Take Zoe Foster Blake for example, who is a big fan of a good pair of shades and uses them to dress her looks up and down. With her signature playful and happy style, Foster Blake “might wear a floor-length floral dress but tone down the hair, shoes, make-up and sunglasses.” A winning combo, in our opinion. 

And heading into autumn and winter, there is no shortage of new trends to try that can elevate your outfits. According to Juan Carlos Camargo, Head of Frames at Specsavers, vintage eyewear styles are making a comeback but in 2021, it’s all about the modern twist. Think iconic shapes like the aviator, club master, square and round eye in a luxurious colour palette.

“The A/W range provides a good base of classic styles to build your glasses wardrobe around. We see tortoiseshell and soft gold emerge as important colours for subtle opulence, while textured metals add a stylish touch. These are staples that work smarter, and harder and will be wardrobe additions that never go out of style,” Camargo said. 

“You’ll find timelessly trendy frames by designers you’ll love. From oversized aviators by Hugo to sophisticated square frames by Marc Jacobs, there’s a little something for everyone.” 

So what exactly does the rest of this year have in store when it comes to glasses? These are the vintage eyewear trends you’ll be seeing everywhere in the coming months: 

Updated Aviators

Who doesn’t love a good pair of aviators? Originally developed in 1963 to protect the eyes of pilots while flying (hence why they’re sometimes called ‘pilots’) aviators have transcended into modern fashion because in short, they look super classic and cool. In 2021, the double frame is a modern take on the vintage style, often accompanied by a thin metal design, giving a bold statement look like the Viktor & Rolf 11. 

Get the look with: Viktor & Rolf 11 – $349 for two pairs single vision

Refined Metals

At the moment, it’s all about metal frames from silver, to gold and rose gold. While wire-frame styles have been around for decades, modern styles have a touch of refinement. Metal glasses in 2021 incorporate unique accents that can play into our personalities and offer a look that feels more unique to ‘us’. Like the Alex Perry 86 that has a braided brow line effect, finished off with Havana temple tips. 

Get the look with: Alex Perry 86 – $299 for two pairs single vision

A Pop of Colour

Adding a touch of colour to your outfit through glasses is an easy way to make any look feel more fun. Retro styles often appear big and bold and while there’s certainly still a place for those looks, in 2021 adding a pop of colour keeps a look classy while having the same impact. Like the Marc Jacobs 23 that ties in the popular metal look with a hint of burgundy colour that is subtle and understated, offering the best of both worlds.  

Get the look with: Marc Jacobs 23 – $249 for two pairs single vision

Classic Yet Modern

Sunglasses are a non-negotiable on a day out and there’s no shortage of pairs that have a classic look to them with a modern edge. The best part is you’ll wear this style time and time again, easily transitioning from season to season. You can’t go past a good pair of black lenses and the Alex Perry Sun RX 56 are no exception. Their polished gold metal keeps the look classic but they have a modern edge with their butterfly shaped lenses. 

Get the look with: Alex Perry Sun RX 56 – $299 for two pairs single vision

No matter what your style is, there’s a right pair of shades for everyone, or two… or three. We’re not here to judge, especially when it comes to eyewear. 

From collaborations with international designers such as Marc Jacobs, Viktor & Rolf and Hugo, to coveted local designers like Alex Perry and Carla Zampatti, there’s a little something for everyone at Specsavers. Priced from $199 for two pairs single vision, the above styles are available throughout Autumn/Winter online and in all Specsavers stores nationwide.