The cat-eye style is back! With an array of trendy brands serving a bountiful of cat-eye eyewear in a myriad of colours, shapes and prints, the fashion forward audience is spoilt for choice.
The onset of any new season brings along with it a whole new array of fashion trends. And yet, in the ever changing world of fashion, only few long-gone trends have lived on with changing times, creating a legacy. And just when you thought they would never make a comeback, cat-eye eyewear are back in style!
A staple of several celebrities, who have fashioned the style since ages, this unique style of eyewear was made popular by the glam gals of 50s, like Marilyn Monroe, Barbara Windsor, Elizabeth Taylor and Dinah Manoff. Since then, the cat-eye eyewear trend has been toyed with by many with stunning results. Its comeback has received a grand welcome with celebrities like Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Miranda Kerr, Kirsten Dunst and Lindsay Lohan already added on to its envious list of followers.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Popularized in the 50s and 60s, cat-eye eyewear are known for their horn-rim and flared outer edges, positioned at the point where the arm joins the frame. Running along the sides and pointing upwards, it provides a classic and mysterious look to the ladies.
Although originally produced for optical styles, it was in 1961 when Audrey Hepburn enchanted moviegoers and fashionistas with her cat-eye sunglasses in the movie ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’. These were designed by Oliver Goldsmith, and were known as ‘Manhattan’.
Times changed, fashion changed, but the cat-eye sunglasses became iconic and prevailed to inspire many eyewear trends. With the summery shades and bright hues giving way to a cooler state of affairs, the contemporary and the very sophisticated cat-eye eyewear rules the roost this season!
THIS, THAT AND MUCH MORE
What makes these styles of sunglasses unique is, of course, the eye-popping shape of the frames. As if the horn-rim and flared outer edges weren’t enough, several other whacky variations have been spotted time and time again.
While the earlier eyewear were thick and edgy, the newer styles are thin, exaggerated and rounder to suit every face. From extensions that look like flames, to super-fine, thin rims that accentuate the catty shape, they are all very much there!
With a variety of frames to complement every facial structure, you could go for the smaller frames reminiscent of the past decades to match with an elegant dress and scarf. Or you could go for the larger frames reflective of the oversized frames of the ultra-modern times to go with your skinny jeans and casuals. And of course, make it all a flawlessly sensational affair by putting on your short stilettos, also known as ‘kitten heels’!
THERE’S A BRAND FOR EVERY ONE OF YOU!
It all started with subtle cat-eye frames that were stunningly sported by Olivia Palermo, Kate Moss and Nicole Richie. And now, the variations have quadrupled. As a follow up to its ‘Anouk’ from the year before, with black frames and gray lenses, Tom Ford designed the ‘Malin’ and ‘Madison’ in 2012.
For those who like their eyewear subtle and refined, there are the slightly embellished temples, and some with crisp lines and wavy prints in contrasting hues. You can never go wrong with the classic black coloured frame paired with jet black lenses. Although these might appear to be simple, they are extremely chic and classy.
Alexander Wang’s quirky take on the style is unmissable with its silver toned metal accents on the outer tips and the pointy touch. With Beyoncé sporting the latest acetate toned futuristic cat-eye Alexander Wang, it makes these glasses a must-have in every collection.
On the other hand, Karen Walker’s ‘Crazy Tortoise’ sunglasses, with the arrow accented and brown lenses, give a feline appeal. Then, there are the tortoise prints, inspired by the ‘Manhattan’ sunglasses worn by Audrey Hepburn in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ for those who like it overstated and amplified.
You could also try Yves Saint Laurent’s cat-eye pair in brown with its sleek metal temples. These are just what the brand is known for – chic, casual and sophisticated. If bold and edgy is what you are looking for, Persol’s squared cat-eye sunglasses with its signature silver-tone arrow detail at the temple is the answer.
Even though times have changed, the retro influences are very much prevalent in almost every fashion trend. Still serving as an inspiration for many contemporary styles, we see cat-eye sunglasses ranging from floral and polka dotted prints to oversized rims in summery shades.
The cat-eye sunglasses from Fendi are essentially retro in shape, but spiced up with colour and design aesthetics to give it a modern appeal. A clever take on their signature ‘f’ design on the temples makes it stand out from its counterparts.
For a more sophisticated feel, Bvlgari’s crystal cat-eye sunglasses are one to watch out for. They are chic in black frames, but the crystal flowers at the temples and the Bvlgari logo on the metal arms makes it race ahead of the pack.
Calling out the eccentric fashionista in you, there are the animal prints. Pairing perfectly with your cat-eye sunglasses, the extended frames provide some additional space to prey on. From subtle spotted prints to all out striped designs, the animal printed cat’s-eye sunglasses are certain to make an impression.
Dior-inspired animal prints in cat-eye shapes, with fanned out frames and leopard printed trims, are the best bet this season. Available in various colour options, it comes best in its brown gradient lenses.
CLASSY, CATTY AND FABULOUS!
Whether it is Salma Hayek, Rita Ora, Madonna and Sandra Bullock, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Swift, Kelly Brook and Nicole Richie, the celebrities are all smitten by the return of the cat-eye eyewear. Not just that! From Tom Ford’s ‘Nikita’ to Ray-Ban’s ‘Vagabond’, even the brands seem to have been besotted by the trend.
If Prada’s cat-eye comes in dusky rose with green acetates, Roberto Cavalli’s are more refined with exaggerated cat-eye curves in jet black frames and gradient lenses. Cleverly playing with its iconic shape, Cutler and Gross’s rounded cat-eye sunglasses are textured with a brown acetate overlay.
With several other variations from brands like Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, etc, available already, and some others on the anvil, looks like the brands have
come out in full support of the cat-eye style of sunglasses with only one message for the consumer – spoil yourself for choice!
The old glam gals paved the way open for the cat-eye glasses. Decades later, with the return of the trendy cat-eye eyewear, one thing we know for sure – being catty is the new fab quotient!
________________________________________________________________
Cat-eye eyewear in movies:
Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Thora Birch in Ghost World
Marilyn Monroe in How to Marry a Millionaire
Faye Dunaway in The Thomas Crown Affair
Jean Seberg in Breathless
Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief
________________________________________________________________
Chrome Hearts takes its vintage influence forward in its Fall 2012 collection, whichfeatures Grom, an incredibly flattering and modern interpretation of the popular 50s cat-eye style.
Flirty and bold, this 60s style from Emilio Pucci provokes a distinctly feline personality with its cat-eye shape. The temples feature a fantastical print inspired by the exclusive ‘tie and die’ design seen on the Pucci runway.
Tommy Hilfiger’s ‘Preppy Spirit’ are acetate sunglasses for women that have a cat-eye shape rendered in pop colours, such as red, gray, nude and Havana. Metal detailing on the temples depicts Tommy Hilfiger’s signature flag logo.
Roberto Cavalli’s eyewear collection for Spring Summer 2013 includes a cat-eye frame where the ‘RC’ heraldic emblem decorates the slender metal temples, giving it a super-feminine 50s style.
