Shopping for vintage clothes and accessories significantly differs from your typical retail session. This process involves a bit of knowledge, a little research, and a keen eye for recognising authenticity. Shopping for vintage-style glasses is no different.

But don’t worry! Once you know what to look for (and where to look), this process becomes nothing but an exciting treasure hunt that allows you to journey through the past. Arm yourself with knowledge using this guide, and you’ll have no trouble choosing the perfect vintage eyewear for every occasion.

Why Purchase Vintage Glasses

Before diving into the details, let’s discuss why a pair of vintage glasses warrants all the fuss and even consulting a shopping guide.

The Timeless Style

Most true fashion connoisseurs are less focused on following fleeting trends. Instead, they aim for a classic look that will last for years and even decades and will never feel out of place. Vintage eyeglasses and sunglasses undoubtedly embody this enduring style.

The Quality Craftsmanship

Let’s be honest – the quality of all products was much better in the past, and sunglasses are no different. Modern materials and designs often lack the meticulous craftsmanship and durability found in vintage eyewear. You can even buy vintage glasses for their frames or lenses and repurpose them for a unique fashion statement.

The Nostalgic Appeal

If you’ve always wanted to replicate how your loved ones dressed at a young age, vintage glasses can help you capture the nostalgic charm of a bygone era. And hey, your role model doesn’t even have to be your parent or grandparent. With a carefully selected pair of vintage eyeglasses, you can pay homage to the style of any of the iconic women and men of the past.

The Unique Design

Take a look at any modern sunglasses selection, and you’ll see much of the same – repetitive, mass-produced designs that lack character. With vintage pieces, it’s the complete opposite. These sunglasses are a great way to escape the cookie-cutter eyewear and stand out from the crowd with rare and unique vintage styles.

The Green Choice

Going vintage isn’t all about fashion. It’s also about making a more eco-conscious choice. By investing in vintage eyeglasses and sunglasses, you help reduce waste and promote sustainability in fashion (and it’s no secret this industry could use lots of it!).

How to Choose the Perfect Vintage-Style Glasses

Now that you understand why vintage sunglasses are the way to go let’s help you find the perfect pair.

Consider Your Face Shape

Now, this advice isn’t unique to vintage eyeglasses shopping by all means. Understanding your face shape and the type of frames that complement it should be the first step in buying eyewear of any kind, from prescription-friendly frame to retro glasses. But with vintage glasses, this step can help you drastically narrow down choices when looking at iconic vintage frames.

Get Acquainted With Vintage Frames

So, understanding your face shape helps you choose the most complementary vintage eyeglass frames. But what exactly are you choosing from?

Though the list isn’t exhaustive, here are some of the most popular vintage frames:

• Round and oval. Round and oval vintage eyeglass frames epitomize a free-spirited vibe. These were all the rage during the 1960s and 1970s and continued to be worn through the ages. They suit square, diamond, and heart-shaped faces the most.
  
  
• Aviator. Aviator frames are all about adventure, confidence, and undeniable coolness.

• Since they gained prominence in the 1970s, there hasn’t really been a decade when this metal frame and teardrop-shaped lenses combo wasn’t a hit. Use them to add dimension to a square-shaped face or add width to a heart-shaped one.

• Square and rectangle. Square and rectangle frames go as far back as the 1950s, but their age doesn’t make them any less cool. They’re perfect when you want to make a statement, as Chlöe Bailey did with our BUCK UP! vintage-inspired pair. This frame type will do wonders for a round face.

• Cat-eye. Cat-eye frames are among the favorite vintage picks, and for good reason. Nothing can quite add feminine allure to your look and accentuate your eyes like a pair of these iconic frames. They work best with a diamond face shape.

Find Your Muse

The fun thing about shopping for vintage sunglasses is that you can treat it as a treasure hunt. So, before you start, do a bit of research about your favorite fashion inspiration of the past and find glasses that best pay homage to their style. Alternatively, identify your favorite decade and look for awesome catches from that era. For instance, if you’re all about the ’90s, you’ll love JEANE glasses with unique frames in striking colors.

Don’t Limit Yourself to Branded Glasses

Sure, finding a pair of vintage glasses by Cartier or Versace is quite a catch. But it’s also quite expensive. If you want to build a vintage sunglasses collection without breaking the bank, don’t limit yourself to these high-end (often overpriced) brands. The beauty of vintage shopping lies in discovering new gems from the past that perfectly match your style.

Check for Authenticity

Don’t worry; no one expects you to become a vintage eyewear expert just to buy a pair of glasses. Still, you’ll want to have some assurance that your desired glasses are truly vintage and not a recently made knock-off. One way to ensure this is to only consider reliable retailers like Giant Vintage, which clearly states when glasses are “true vintage” and when they are “vintage-inspired” (or retro).

Where to Buy Vintage Glasses

If you’re interested in vintage sunglasses styles, you’ll have no trouble finding some interesting pieces at thrift stores, estate sales, and online marketplaces. But these places also come with worries about authenticity, limited selection, and poor quality.

So, instead of wasting your precious time and money, head straight to Giant Vintage, an online platform designed for vintage lovers (by a vintage lover!). Here, you’ll find an incredible selection of vintage sunglasses from different eras and in various styles, allowing you to find the perfect pair for every person and every occasion.