Vintage frames have become trendy again! And as trends evolve, we often forget where they came from in the first place. Eyeglasses started to take shape in Europe around the 12th century and have certainly come a long way since.

In the beginning, eyewear was a practical and necessary means for those who had trouble reading. In the 1930s, people who wore glasses were often subjected to social embarrassment. It wasn’t until the late ‘60s that eyewear found its proper place in the fashion world, with stylish designs beginning to take shape.

Let’s have a look at how some of today’s most popular frames have stood the test of time.

Horn-Rimmed Vintage Frames

Horn-rimmed vintage frames are a common choice for glasses-wearers of all ages, but that wasn’t always the case. When they first came on the scene in the ‘20s, they quickly lost their appeal due to their lack of durability. Instead, metal frames became a more economical choice during the Depression. The evolution and subsequent popularity of horn-rimmed frames grew with the expansion of metal browlines in the ‘50s and oversized designs by the 2000s.