Vintage Sunglasses Guide - 90s, 80s, 70s Style

Vintage 1900s Sunglasses at Affordable Prices

Sunglasses shopping in the UK is currently being shaped by three decades at once. 90s sunglasses lead on search volume. 70s sunglasses are growing the fastest. 80s sunglasses remain a steady, reliable middle ground. Each era has its own distinct shape and lens style, and picking the wrong one for your face or your outfit is the easiest styling mistake to make. Here's what separates the three, and which pieces are worth buying now.

90s Sunglasses

The defining 90s shape is small and close to the face: slim ovals and narrow rectangles, often on minimal metal frames. Lens tint matters as much as shape — yellow, green, brown, and smoke tints are what separate a genuine 90s look from a generic pair of sunglasses. This narrow, slightly rounded shape is often searched specifically as oval sunglasses 90s, distinguishing it from the wider rectangle alternative.

The Vintage Oval Metal Frame Sunglasses capture this directly — a true oval on a slim metal frame, and the shape behind both 90s sunglasses womens and 90s sunglasses mens searches alike, since the narrow profile suits most face widths.

For a sharper 90s edge, the London Vintage Aviator Sunglasses bring a double-bridge frame with tinted lenses — a 90s style sunglasses choice built specifically with men in mind, while still working as a unisex pick.

80s Sunglasses

80s sunglasses are built around scale and contrast: oversized frames, chunky proportions, and bold finishes designed to be the focal point of an outfit rather than a subtle accessory. Where 90s shapes sit close and narrow, 80s styles are wider and louder.

The Vintage Cateye Sunglasses are the clearest 80s pick in the range — a chunky cat-eye frame that works equally well for men and women, and one of the most popular shapes in the entire collection.

This is the steadiest of the three eras in search demand — not accelerating, but not dropping off either, which makes it a dependable year-round category.

70s Sunglasses

70s sunglasses, often searched as 70s style sunglasses, are the fastest-growing trend of the three. Round metal frames, teardrop aviators, and warm-toned gradient lenses define the look — softer and rounder than the sharp angles of the 80s, less minimal than the 90s.

The Vintage Round Sunglasses are the most distinctly 70s shape in the range — a durable golden-copper metal frame with a choice of black, green, or brown lenses.

For something closer to teardrop, the Vintage Aviator Sunglasses bring gradient and mirrored lens options on a classic aviator frame — a shape that anchors both 70s sunglasses womens and 70s sunglasses mens searches alike.

This momentum has held steady for months, not just a seasonal spike, which is part of why this category deserves more attention than it's had so far.

How to Choose Vintage Sunglasses

If you're not sure which era suits you, work backwards from face shape rather than trend.

Matching Frame to Face Shape

• Round or soft face shapes → 90s slim ovals add structure without overwhelming.
• Angular or longer face shapes → 80s chunky cat-eye frames balance sharper features.
• Most face shapes → 70s round frames are the most universally flattering of the three, which is part of why they're climbing fastest in search demand.

Outfit-wise, let one decade lead per look. Pairing an already-bold outfit with an 80s oversized frame competes for attention; pairing the same frame with something plain lets it do the work.

Lens Tints by Era

• 90s: yellow, green, smoke — clean and smokey lenses
• 80s: block colour, mirrored, tortoiseshell — high contrast, high impact
• 70s: amber, gold, warm brown gradient — soft and sun-washed

If you want the broadest everyday option, a brown or smoke tint works across all three frame styles without looking decade-specific when you don't want it to.

Price Guide

90s, 80s, and 70s pairs often carry designer price tags well into three figures once you move into recognised fashion brands. At Sunglass Station, the same 80s sunglasses and 90s shapes start from £29.99, with most pairs between £34.99 and £49.99 — full UV400 protection included as standard.

You'll occasionally see these listed as vintage sunglasses too, particularly the 70s and 90s shapes — same styling, same era, just a different label depending on where you're shopping.

For more ways to keep your eyewear budget in check without compromising on style, see our guide to the best affordable sunglasses in the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are 90s-style sunglasses called?

Most commonly described as slim oval or narrow rectangle sunglasses. You'll also see them labelled 90s style, or less precisely, vintage sunglasses.

Are 70s sunglasses actually trending right now, or is that overstated?

Search data backs it up — both have shown consistent month-on-month growth, ahead of 80s and 90s growth rates, even though 90s sunglasses still lead on total search volume.

What's the real difference between 80s and 90s sunglasses?

Scale and shape. 80s styles are oversized, chunky, and colour-forward. 90s styles are smaller, narrower, and lean on lens tint rather than frame size to make a statement.

Do these styles come with UV protection?

Yes — every pair across the 90s, 80s, and 70s ranges includes UV400 protection as standard, regardless of frame shape or lens tint.

Which era should I buy if I only want one pair?

70s round frames are the most broadly flattering across face shapes, making them the safest single purchase if you're only buying one pair this year.