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A Short History of Cat Eye Sunglasses

The cat eye is the most recognisable women's frame shape of the twentieth century. Its upswept outer corners lift the face and still look modern today.

Origins

The shape goes back to the 1930s, when American designer Altina Schinasi created the Harlequin frame as an alternative to the plain round glasses then offered to women.

The 1950s and 1960s

By the 1950s cat eyes were everywhere, decorated with rhinestones, metal inlays and carved details. In the 1960s the shape grew larger and bolder, and Audrey Hepburn's sunglasses in Breakfast at Tiffany's in 1961 made the look famous worldwide.

Choosing a vintage pair

Lenses can be replaced by any optician, so the condition of the frame matters most.

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Vintage 1950s 60s Black Wraparound Cat Eye Sunglasses Green Lens 52mm Shop TagVintage 1950s 60s Black Wraparound Cat Eye Sunglasses Green Lens 52mm Shop Tag$252Vintage 1950s Cat Eye Sunglasses Women Amber Acetate Star Rivets Green Lens 48mmVintage 1950s Cat Eye Sunglasses Women Amber Acetate Star Rivets Green Lens 48mm$236Vintage 1960s Made in Italy Cat Eye Sunglasses Black Acetate Brown Lens 48mmVintage 1960s Made in Italy Cat Eye Sunglasses Black Acetate Brown Lens 48mm$241Vintage Jacques Fath 90210 Browline Cat Eye Sunglasses Blue Marble Green 54-18Vintage Jacques Fath 90210 Browline Cat Eye Sunglasses Blue Marble Green 54-18$244Vintage 1950s Winged Cat Eye Sunglasses Black Acetate Olive Lens 48mm WomensVintage 1950s Winged Cat Eye Sunglasses Black Acetate Olive Lens 48mm Womens$188Vintage Pierre Balmain Paris 2037 Cat Eye Sunglasses Ivory Blue Yellow 58-16Vintage Pierre Balmain Paris 2037 Cat Eye Sunglasses Ivory Blue Yellow 58-16$262Vintage Valentino Cat Eye Sunglasses Women Gold Tortoise Brown Gradient 56mmVintage Valentino Cat Eye Sunglasses Women Gold Tortoise Brown Gradient 56mm$199Vintage 1950s French Black Oval Cat Eye Sunglasses Green Lens 52mm Hand MadeVintage 1950s French Black Oval Cat Eye Sunglasses Green Lens 52mm Hand Made$202
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