Feeling Groovy in 70s Eyewear

As the weather starts getting cooler, you may want to embrace a season of new trends. This season is rife with inspiration, but it isn’t exactly new.

Retro-inspired trends have started creeping into our wardrobes. From flare jeans to knee-high boots to leather button-front skirts, it’s clear what decade we are getting our fashion inspiration from this fall. And it isn’t stopping there! Retro eyewear provides a great accessory for this season.

Many of these bold 70s eyewear styles aren’t for the faint of heart. Fun-loving statement frames are here to help you stand out from the crowd. Instead of demure cat-eye shapes or translucent frames, we’re reaching for oversized square frames, new takes on aviator styles, and yellow-tinted lenses.

The 70s were the years that officially began to consider glasses as fashion accessories rather than just a necessary addition to help you see. The decade was rich in experiments of all kinds that led to modern eyewear and current trends.

That’s why you can flip through a 70s graduation book, admire the eccentric styles, and want to try them on for a cool new/old look. The years were filled with extravagant shapes, different materials, and rich earthy colors. Here are three retro styles to try out to embrace the peace and love era for all it’s worth.

Square styles

Gucci GG0473O

Oversized acetate frames are here to complete your look. Both sunglasses and eyeglasses have taken on this statement style.

The rounded-rectangular shape perfectly suits those with round and oval faces. Pair this unique shape with a brown tortoise pattern for a unique retro vibe. Let these bold styles complete your ensemble for you.

To play up the 70s fashion of these frames, pair with an all-denim look. Don’t be afraid to play with make up with your thick frame. Try a bold lip or a thick eyeliner—the bolder the frame the bolder the eye makeup you can try. Don’t forget you can also use your make-up colors to complement your eyeglasses. Gold, brown, and tortoiseshell frames complement earth tone eyeshadows.

Double bridge

Flairo UM 72

70s eyewear wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the double bridge—a trend that’s made a massive comeback in recent years. Double-bridge frames are a great unisex trend. Most of these styles borrow from aviator-shaped double-bridged glasses.

For a slightly new take, reach for a pair of acetate aviator inspired double-bridge frames instead. This style of frame in a rich amber-brown will give you all the retro vibes you need. Keep it modern and pair with a neutral outfit or dress-up with your favorite jeans and t-shirt.

Wire frames

Ray-Ban RX1971V SQUARE

Wireframes in all shapes and sizes will help you achieve that 70s inspired look. These geek-chic frames have been some of the most popular styles to come out the last few years. Everyone from celebrities to fashion bloggers has been reaching for wire-rim specs to enhance their look. Wire aviators, wire oversized square frames, and round wireframes will all help you achieve a 70s inspired look.

Aviator frames have long since been a classic in the eyewear community. They were developed in 1936 to protect pilots’ eyes and were standard-issue for the military during WWII. The ‘70s icon Gloria Steinem helped make both the sunglasses and the eyeglass version in style the second time around.

The popularity of the aviator style frame probably has to do with the fact they look good on just about anybody. Integrate a gold or silver frame aviator style into your every day with a pair of eyeglasses or go bold for the 70s inspired trends and pick up a pair of frames with tinted yellow lenses. Or embrace a modern John Lennon vibe with circular or oval-shaped wireframes.

Double-bridge frames, oversized acetate, and metal rims — all styles that were abundant in 1970s decade in both sunglasses and eyeglasses are all on-trend again. Whether you want to stick to a traditional metal version or want to try acetate in a bold new look, EZContacts has plenty of vintage-inspired glasses with a modern look.