Retro-chic with 70s Glasses - Everything You Need to Know

The 70s Eyewear Fashion Makes a Comeback

Fashion trends come and go, but some styles have a way of returning again and again. 70s glasses are a perfect example. With oversized frames, bold shapes, tinted lenses and distinctive colors, 1970s eyewear created looks that are still instantly recognisable today.

The decade was all about self-expression. Eyewear became more than a practical accessory. Large frames and statement designs became important fashion pieces.

Today, many of these ideas return to contemporary eyewear. 70s-inspired styles add a retro element to a modern look.

Iconic 70s Glasses and Eyewear Styles

The 1970s produced several eyewear styles that continue to influence fashion. Some of the most recognisable include:

Oversized Square Frames

Large square and rectangular frames are one of the styles most strongly associated with 70s eyewear. Frames could be thick and bold, often using warm tones such as brown, amber and tortoiseshell.

Oversized frames make a strong statement. They work well when the rest of an outfit is kept simple.

Round 70s Glasses

Round glasses became closely associated with the counterculture and music scenes of the late 1960s and 1970s. Small round metal frames and tinted round sunglasses created a distinctive look that is still strongly associated with retro fashion.

John Lennon is a famous example of this style. Round wire-frame glasses are still called Lennon-style glasses.

Aviator Sunglasses

Aviator sunglasses existed long before the 1970s, but the style became an important fashion accessory during the decade. Musicians, actors and other cultural figures helped move aviators beyond their original functional roots and into mainstream fashion.

Thin metal frames and large lenses remain popular today. Aviators add a subtle 70s influence to modern outfits.

Bold and Tinted Lenses

Color was another important part of 70s eyewear. Brown, amber, yellow and other tinted lenses were often combined with oversized or metal frames.

You do not necessarily need a complete vintage outfit to use this look today. A pair of statement glasses combined with otherwise modern clothing can create a more subtle retro-inspired style.

How to Wear 70s Glasses Today

Avoid looking like you are wearing a costume. Combine retro eyewear with a modern wardrobe.

• Choose one statement piece: Let your glasses be the strongest retro element rather than combining too many 70s details at once.
• Consider proportions: Oversized frames make a bigger visual statement, while thin round or aviator frames offer a subtler retro look.
• Work with your personal style: You do not need to recreate a historical outfit. Choose a frame that feels natural with the clothes you already wear.
• Experiment with color: Amber, tortoiseshell and warm brown tones can create an obvious 70s reference, while neutral frames offer a more understated version.
• Think about comfort as well as appearance: Eyewear should fit correctly and feel comfortable, especially if you wear it for long periods.

Can You Combine 70s Glasses with Colored Contact Lenses?

Colored contact lenses can enhance your eye color. This is another way to experiment with your appearance. Subtle eye colors complement the warm tones of 70s eyewear.

However, colored contact lenses are still contact lenses, even when they are used mainly for cosmetic purposes. Fit, hygiene and correct handling are just as important as with ordinary corrective lenses.

If you are interested in the subject, read our guide to colored contact lenses without corrective power.

Use the lens model recommended for your eyes. Do not choose lenses based only on color or style.

70s Glasses and Contact Lenses

You do not have to choose permanently between glasses and contact lenses. Many people use both depending on the situation.

Glasses are an important part of an outfit. Contact lenses are useful for an unobstructed field of view.

Explore our full range of contact lenses. This includes daily lenses and monthly lenses.

Why 70s Eyewear Still Works

The appeal of 70s glasses is not just nostalgia. Oversized proportions and tinted lenses make outfits interesting. These styles are easy to reinterpret today.

You can go all-in with oversized retro frames or simply borrow one element from the decade. Either way, 70s eyewear offers plenty of opportunities to experiment with shape, color and personal style.

Choose glasses that you genuinely enjoy wearing. Do not try to reproduce a decade exactly. This makes retro style feel contemporary.