The ones that influenced whole generations
Eyewear is now not just something people wear to improve their vision, but sometimes merely a fashion statement to complete a look! Glasses can be used to make a statement or contribute to your finished look. Throughout history, there have been significant changes in the way we view eyewear from influential individuals who have the power to shift and create new trends without even trying (and that’s when you know you're a total icon!)!
1. Audrey Hepburn: Timeless style
Audrey Hepburn pretty much turned sunglasses into a fashion staple, almost singlehandedly In Breakfast at Tiffany’s, her oversized frames as Holly Golightly became instantly recognisable and still get referenced today. That polished look still lives on to this day in cat-eye shapes and bigger frames that add a tiny bit of glamour without even trying to. It's absolutely crazy how one movie changed sunglasses forever!
2. John Lennon: Round Revolution
The legendary musician John Lennon was not just a trendsetter in music but also in eyewear. When most people see those round, rimless glasses they immediately think of the musician. These circular frames, often accompanied by slightly tinted lenses, transformed eyewear from a vision aid into a symbol of individualism. Lennon's glasses carry the spirit of the 60s and remain to this day an icon of expression.
3. Elton John: Glasses that steal the show
With Elton John, the frames were never just an accessory. They were part of the outfit, sometimes the loudest part. Think huge sunglasses, glitter, odd shapes, bright colours, the whole lot. He made it normal to treat glasses like self-expression rather than something you only wear because you have to.
4. Steve Jobs: Simple on purpose
Steve Jobs didn’t rotate through styles. He stuck to one look and it worked! Those round, rimless frames matched his whole keep it clean mindset. No fuss and no flash, just practical. That minimalist vibe caught on and helped really push understated frames into the mainstream.
5. Iris Apfel: More is more
Iris Apfel treats glasses like she does jewellery. Big, bold frames, strong colours, weird shapes, and she wears them with total confidence. She’s a reminder that style doesn’t have an age limit, and that the right pair of frames can be the most fun part of what you’re wearing. By celebrating individuality and embracing eccentricity, Iris Apfel's eyewear choices have inspired people to step out of their comfort zones and embrace their unique tastes.
You should never have to compromise on your looks and the way you can express yourself just because of a bit (or a lot) of bad eyesight! Allow your glasses (whether you need them or not) to be yet another vessel for you to explore your personality and express your style… and even if they're a style that isn’t viewed as ‘in fashion’… every trend has to start somewhere, be the next Elton or Audrey, be bold and create a look that screams YOU!
The legacy of these icons lives on in the way we associate them with different styles in something as small as glasses frames! It can be argued that these were just some of the people who made wearing glasses ‘cool’ instead of an inconvenient necessity!
If these icons didn’t exist and the significance of their fame wasn’t recognised through glasses frames… what would be the thoughts behind having to wear glasses? Set your own trend and be the next glasses-wearing icon that makes people think of you and have your name in the glasses-wearing hall of fame!
