The ’70s Just Called: They Are Selling Sunglasses

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A snapshot of oversized sunglasses with a black oval lens and a wide transparent yellow rim with black spots.

 

Would you agree with the assessment that fashion trends are cyclical? What seems to be hot today eventually fades away only to return in the future. Some trends are more cyclical than others, and some cycles can be short while others are quite long. Yet one thing is for certain: there is nothing new under the sun when it comes to fashion.

It is with that in mind that this post seeks to inform you that the 1970s just called. They are not asking for anything back. Rather, they are selling sunglasses. More specifically, they are selling oversized aviators to go along with bell bottom jeans, uber-wide lapels, and male chest hair.

Yes, indeed. The 1970s are making a strong comeback in the fashion world. How long the trend will last is anyone’s guess. But if you want to be part of the ‘in’ crowd this summer, you should probably run out and buy yourself a brand-new pair of oversized aviators.

 

  • Big and Bold

 

Those of us old enough to remember 1970s fashion are fully aware that everything was big and bold back then. The hair was big. Fabric colors and patterns were bold. Fashion was about as in-your-face as it possibly could be. Worst of all, most of pop culture was the same way. Can you say disco and “The Mod Squad”?

1970s fashion was all about taking the colors and shapes of the 1960s flower power era and making them exponentially more obnoxious. Thus, we were left with things like plaid bell bottoms and bright blue polyester suits. It is why your grandmother had lime green and bright orange furniture.

As for the sunglasses of the day, bigger was better. You were truly in style if you could find a pair of sunglasses big enough to cover every inch of skin from forehead to cheeks. Perhaps that’s why Elton John’s collection of sunglasses back then was so big – in more ways than one.

 

  • The Benefits of Size

 

Even though we are discussing 1970s fashion with a bit of tongue-in-cheek irreverence, it must be acknowledged that oversized sunglasses do offer a few benefits. To put it simply, size affects the amount of protection a pair of sunglasses offers.

The primary purpose of sunglasses is to protect the eyes against harmful UV rays and direct sunlight, explains Salt Lake City-based Olympic Eyewear. However, we also know that UV rays can damage the especially sensitive skin around the eyes. A pair of sunglasses that protects both the eyes and skin is better than another that protects only eyes.

Oversized sunglasses do the trick. Their bigger frames accommodate larger lenses that cover the eyes and a fair amount of skin all around them. They can keep sun off the lower part of the forehead and the upper cheeks. They can also limit the amount of UV exposure the sides of the face are subjected to.

 

  • Whatever Works for You

 

At the end of the day, sunglasses that look like they have been kept in storage since the Ford administration are popular only because of modern fashion trends. That is not a bad thing. If a person’s heightened sense of fashion can encourage him or her to protect his/her eyes with a good pair of sunglasses, so be it. Eye protection is really the most important thing.

As for you, the sunglasses you choose are entirely up to you. Whatever works for you is great. If you do decide to entertain the 1970s with your next pair though, just remind yourself of what the rest of the era looked like.