What is the difference between cat-eye and butterfly glasses?

Elegant, fierce and flamboyant, butterfly and cat-eye glasses put the fun back into fashion. As stars of the silver screen throughout the 50s and 60s, they both continue to be adorned by trendsetters of every generation. These styles are also a particular favourite for lovers of vintage fashion. Their captivating designs are bold and make the ultimate style statement. Cat-eye and butterfly glasses give women the confidence to express their individuality and sense of style. But what’s the difference between these two very popular designs? Let us enlighten you!

Butterfly vs cat-eye glasses

Butterfly and cat-eye glasses are two very iconic styles full of flair and femininity. They are very similar in many ways. However, once you know what key design details make them different, they are really easy to tell apart.

Cat-eye glasses

Classy and sophisticated

A vintage classic full of retro style

Upswept corners that look like the eyes of a cat

Suits all face shapes, especially round, oval and square faces

Traditionally narrower and rounder in shape

Butterfly glasses

Full of Hollywood glamour and charm

Big and bold, they are typically very eye-catching

The flared temples resemble the shape of butterfly wings

Suits most face shapes, in particular oval, round and heart-shaped faces

A wider and more squared-off shape

The enduring charm of the cat-eye

Cat-eye glasses were an innovation of their time. They were created by the talented Altina Schinasi, who was fed up with the unflattering glasses of the 1920s which were inherently designed for men. She saw an opportunity to provide a new design for the female market which was greatly lacking in fashionable options at the time. The original design was inspired by the whimsical Harlequin masks of the Venetian masquerade which have inspired fashion trends throughout the generations. At Glasses Direct, we have our own collection themed around the magnificent Venice Carnival from Scout: Made in Italy. Despite initial doubt, women of the 1930s fell in love with the Harlequin, or cat-eye as it’s now referred to as.

Cat-eyes were later popularised by glamorous film stars and celebrities during the 1950s. They were perhaps most famously worn by Marilyn Monroe. Their elegant and distinctive upswept corners resemble that of a cat’s eye. And that’s exactly where their name would later come from! This feline-looking design is chic, empowering and glamorous. Over the decades, the cat-eye has risen to fame. Different eyewear brands continue to develop this style, adding eloquent touches from beautiful diamante detailing to innovative oversized shapes. Cat-eye glasses continue to thrive and new designs are constantly emerging on the fashion scene.

What face shapes do cat-eye glasses look good on?

Cat-eye glasses are probably one of the most versatile frame styles you can choose. They suit a variety of different face shapes and are especially good at adding angularity to oval and round faces. The way that the corners are turned upwards gives the illusion of width for those with narrower oblong faces.

Cat-eye frames also help to balance out a square jawline. However, this depends on what you’re trying to achieve. Some people like to show off their wider jawline. If that’s the case, you can do so by choosing a square butterfly frame.

If you have a diamond face shape, a pair of cat eyes will accentuate your broad cheekbones for a glamorous look. Meanwhile, if you have a triangular or heart-shaped face, we would recommend that you try to go for a subtler, small cat-eye shape. This is because the shape of your face mirrors the glasses which are bulkier on top and smaller at the bottom. If your cat-eye glasses are too big, they will over-exaggerate your features rather than highlight them.

Discover fashionable cat-eye designs:

The flamboyant butterfly takes centre stage

Butterfly frames are the sassy and playful sibling of the classic cat-eye. They gained popularity in the 1960s when they were famously worn by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. A fashionista known for her glamorous outfits, her striking eyewear became a huge part of her iconic style. Butterfly glasses were originally nicknamed Jackie O glasses for this very reason!

This bold and curvaceous frame style typically extends beyond your temples and resembles the elegant wings of a butterfly. Butterfly sunglasses also have the added benefit of shielding your eyes and keeping you protected from the sun. Their oversized shape will help to give you an air of mystery. Look like a Hollywood star and captivate the crowds with your elegance in a pair of chic butterfly frames. They are sophisticated and their versatility means they will suit a variety of outfits.

Butterfly frames are unique and vary greatly from design to design, therefore they are often categorised as being a cat-eye or square shape.

What face shapes do butterfly glasses look good on?

Butterfly frames will suit you if you have an oval or oblong face shape because they will naturally emphasise your cheekbones and draw attention to your eyes, making them the main focal point rather than the length or shape of your face. When compared to a traditional cat-eye shape, the butterfly is well-balanced from top to bottom so these styles of glasses are a great choice for people with a triangular or heart-shaped face as they will balance out the bottom half of your face.

So long as they have wide upper corners and are not too bulky, butterfly frames will also suit people with square and diamond faces because of the broader shape which helps to soften the appearance of their sharper features. If you have a round face, try to go for squared-off butterfly designs as they will contrast the shape of your face nicely.

Try our trendsetting butterfly frames: