NEW YORK – Sunglasses are a fashion statement to watch for at the upcoming Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show, April 24-25, at the Manhattan Pavilion, where you’ll find all of the great vintage styles that celebrities made famous. Here are the oh-so-chic classics plus those campy club-scene party glasses that will have the whole room checking out your style. And that’s the point. How you wear these fashion icons says more about who you are than your star sign.
Take the Aviator. This is one of the slickest pair of sunglasses ever designed. First made popular by World War II generals like Dwight Eisenhower (and you know how everyone liked Ike), they re-emerged in the ’60s to become the sunglasses with masculine sex appeal, worn by the likes of Steve McQueen, Clint Eastwood and the Doors lead singer Jim Morrison. Peter Fonda made them legendary, cruising the highways with Dennis Hopper in the 1969 film classic, Easy Rider. Their popularity never waned, exploding with Michael Jackson and Tom Cruise in the ’80s. Wearing these shades signals that you are an ultracool lady killer. “Make My Day,” anyone?
Remember the old classic Ray-Bans called Wayfarers? These shades will take you back to the days when Grease was the word and not a musical. The glasses were made popular in the ’50s by blues legend Cab Calloway, Motown great James Brown, and a whole generation of young alternative writers and intellectuals called beatniks.
They enjoyed popularity again in the early ’60s when the Beatles donned their Ray-Bans to dodge hoards of swooning young female fans. And who could forget Jack Nicholson who made the Wayfarer, along with his furled eyebrow, synonymous with “Sophisticated Hollywood cool?”
Wearing these glasses today says that you are in the know – cool and collected. Pop star Lady Ga Ga was given a pair by Access Hollywood to add to her giant collection of more than 100 hundred sunglasses. She was more than thrilled. If you are still saying “Give peace a chance,” you are probably still wearing the small round granny glasses from the ’60s. These shades were known for their multicolored lenses – standard gray, blue, purple, green, yellow, pink, orange and red. This style of sunglasses followed the Grateful Dead on tour and was worn by the late, great John Lennon. It is still popular today with hip musicians and city artists. They’re truly psychedelic and way cool, man.
Next, an alluring style that pops up again and again – the Cat Eye. These were the sunglasses of choice for the well-loved ’50s screen actress Grace Kelly. Today’s pop sensations Katy Perry and Gwen Stefani are known to wear colorful Cat Eyes. The Cat Eye has lots of personality and is far from demure and retiring. Wearing these, says that you’re flirty and oh-so sassy. The Big and Round, also known as the Bug Eye, are a mainstay classic made famous by the elegant and tasteful Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and the lovely gamine Audrey Hepburn. They have remained popular since the ’60s. Today, you will see them on such celebrities as Paris Hilton, Nicole Richey, Mary Kate, Ashley Olson, the very glamorous Julian Moore and the fabulous Julia Roberts. These sunglasses just ooze sophistication and style. Wearing these means that you have arrived.
Designer sunglasses are the gilded stallion of the sunglass world. These gems are worn by the world’s jet setters, A-listers, spoiled Long Island girls, those chic Upper West Side couples, and East Side Manhattan divas. Designer sunglasses by Chanel, Dior and Lapadis are the hit of the Hampton’s summer social scene. Sunglasses just sing out “Get ready for summer.”
Check out the great buys on other warm-weather staples such as ’50s sundresses and bathing suits, ’60s floral A-line shifts, ’70s wedgies and platform shoes, and ’80s accessories (belts, bags and more) at the Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show. For more iformation call 212-691-7297 or visit www.manhattanvintage.com.