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Retro glasses: are flip up lenses back?

Published on September 8, 2013

Retro glasses: are flip up lenses back?

Will these be the latest retro glasses style? Or simply a by-product of the trend for round sunglasses?

Vintage and retro glasses

This year's main come-back style is undoubtedly round glasses. But for those who dare to take this retro glasses look one step further, why not get a pair of round glasses with flip up lenses, and really get into the retro spirit!

retro glasses

Retro glasses with flip up lenses are essentually glasses with a dual function: when the tinted lenses are down they act as sunglasses, but when flipped up, they have a second lense that is clear.Variations of this style have been developed for different sports, as well as the invention of clip-on lenses that perform the same function - the lenses can be changed depending on weather conditions, etc.

retro glasses

However, it is not the functionality that makes these retro glasses interesting. Instead they are a key retro accessory this year, primarily because of the huge popularity of round sunglasses. The round style that has been termed 'John Lennon style' glasses (or 'Teashades') are reminiscent of the 1960s.

retro glasses [caption John Lennon round sunglasses]

The retro glasses look of the glasses with flip up lenses is very similar to the round sunglasses style when the lenses are down. The contraptions such as the (usually gold) hinges that allow the frames to fip up and the bridge running across the top simply add to the retro aesthetic.

retro glasses

Like all retro styles, this one too has had modern variations made based on it. For example, the most recent flip up glasses style to be seen on celebrities is by the queen of alterantive and wild eyewear herself - Lady Gaga.

retro glasses [caption Lady Gaga in Mickey flip up sunglasses]

These glasses were worn by Lady Gaga in 2010. This comical adaptation of the flip up glasses style sees both sets of oversized lenses tinted. The other obvious departure from the retro style is that they do not have a connecting bridge across the top of the frames with hinges attached, but instead are independent of eachother, with a the hinges set at an outward angle, creating the Mickey Mouse look...

So, are flip up lenses going to be the latest retro glasses style to really take off? Or are they simply a by-product of the trend for round glasses this year? I haven't seen them worn by many people yet, but there is still time for this very particular retro look to grow in popularity.