How cat-eye glasses have evolved over the years

The timeless appeal of the charming cat-eye is hard to deny. It is a glamorous design that first captured the hearts of housewives and movie stars of the 1950s and continues to captivate women as well as men of every generation. The recognisable upswept corners and dazzling charm of this design are what gives it a striking edge. Cat-eye glasses have become a wardrobe staple for every modern fashionista.

A brief history of cat-eye glasses

Cat-eye glasses transformed the eyewear industry for good, providing a distinctly feminine design in a male-centric marketplace. Trendsetter Altina Schinasi was responsible for this fashion innovation. In the 1920s, the talented artist and designer noticed there were very few glasses designed specifically for women. This spurred her on to create an elegant and fashionable design that would empower women and would provide them with a stylish eyewear option that would stand out from the crowd. She called her new design the Harlequin, named after the Venetian masks worn at ballroom dances which were extremely fashionable at the time. It took a little while but by the late 1930s, women all over America were investing in this unique and playful design. Soon enough, this feline-looking frame would be a worldwide hit and fondly nicknamed the cat-eye due to its unique design, specifically the curvy corners which resembled the eyes of a cat.

Glamorous 1950s cat-eye glasses

Cat-eye glasses were the epitome of glamour and elegance in the 1950s. During the post-war years, they hit their peak. Everybody had a pair from stay-at-home mums and professionals to style icons like Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly as well as the famous politician Shirley Chisholm. At this time, the cat-eye had evolved with many designs featuring sparkly rhinestone detailing and exaggerated peaked corners. Designers began to really experiment with this feminine style and give it a dazzling new edge.

Vintage cat-eye glasses of the 1960s

When Audrey Hepburn famously starred in the hit movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s in 1961, she also set trends with her oversized tortoiseshell sunglasses. Similar to the classic Wayfarer, this bigger and bolder style of cat-eye was a modern take on the traditional styles of the 1940s and 50s. We now refer to these as butterfly frames because the flared corners resemble the wings of a butterfly. They have a natural air of Hollywood glamour about them that instantly grabs attention. The larger shape and bold design opened the cat-eye up to a whole new generation of fans.

Groovy 1970s cat-eye sunglasses

In the 1970s, larger more circular cat-eye designs became popular. Jackie Kennedy, formerly Onassis, was a huge style icon of this generation. Her refined taste in fashion and love of oversized sunglasses inspired many women throughout the 1970s. A decade of disco fever also brought flamboyant and glittery outfits to the fashion scene. Bands like ABBA and singers like Diana Ross wore larger-than-life outfits and stunning sunglasses to match. The classic styles of earlier decades had fallen out of fashion at this time and were seen by trendsetters as outdated.

Bright and bold cat-eyes of the 1980s

The 80s was a decade defined by wacky prints and bold colours. Oversized styles continued to be popular as fashion figures like Lady Diana influenced the public with her various pairs of vibrant cat-eye sunglasses.

Designers also began to experiment with earlier styles. 1950s designs would experience a revival. Cat-eye frames with quirky triangular lenses became a real hit in the 1980s. An exaggerated version of the 1950s cat-eye, they had a daring and dramatic contemporary shape. They were a popular style for punks and those who wanted to create a more edgy look. Pop icons like Madonna and Cyndi Lauper certainly knew how to rock a quirky pair of cat-eyes in the 1980s!

Sleek and stylish cat-eyes of the 1990s

1990s fashion was chic and minimalistic. Though cat-eye glasses experienced a bit of a lull, they were still very much about. Lisa Loeb can be credited for pushing cat-eye glasses back into the public eye when she famously wore a pair in the hit American rom-com Reality Bites in 1994.

Later in the decade, Julia Roberts famously wore a pair of black cat-eye sunglasses in Notting Hill. Following that, the style experienced a real surge in popularity. Sleek metal designs were also very in-demand during this decade.

Decorative cat-eye sunglasses of the 2000s

Cat-eye glasses experienced a huge comeback in the 2010s. Big chunky designs were a must-have style for celebrities like Paris Hilton. Designer frames with recognisable branding in particular were extremely sought-after.

Slim designs of the previous decade would also become iconic during this decade thanks to fashionable stars like Rihanna. Many modern trendsetters also sought innovative geometric alternatives which helped to add a striking modern edge to their wardrobe.

The future of cat-eye glasses

Retro designs are currently experiencing the ultimate revival, especially when it comes to eyewear. Today, celebs like Kendall Jenner, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Gigi Hadid and Scarlett Johansson are all sporting designs from the past. Fashion has come full circle as eyewear made iconic throughout the 50s and beyond begins to return with interesting new design twists.

Cat-eye glasses suit a wide variety of individual styles. While they were traditionally a very feminine design, they now appeal to people of all genders. There are an abundance of different shapes and sizes to choose from. As technology has advanced, more materials have become available and the latest cat-eye frames are designed from lightweight and reliable materials, from contemporary sustainable options like bio-based acetate to sturdy metals and plastics. The latest designs also offer the ultimate comfort and style.