Vintage Sunglasses

[PADDY]

Just saw "The Aviator" movie and loved the glasses / specs that DiCaprio wore! (Armani designed them).

Where can I get reasonably priced vintage 30's type sunglasses, either retro repro, or real..?

 

[BellyTank]

....Errrrrr...
...the answer's always the same Patrick-
eBay.
BT.

 

[BellyTank]

Oh by the way Pat, the ones I'm wearing are '40s RAF (Goggles, anti-glare).
All I need is my leather coat and I'd look like a Gestapo kreep...
BT.

 

[Ken]

I have always just wanted a general pair of aviator (as in the style, havent seen the movie yet) sunglasses but can't get a pair the right size - is there anyway you can get cistom made (sun)glasses?

Ken

 

[BellyTank]

Ken, anything's possible- at any price...
You see 1940s aviator sunglasses on eBay all the time- got a mint, new old stock pair for $9 a while back- they're there if you want them and cheaper than the new RayBan versions. I have a wide face/temple, so most glasses look a little narrow on me. What's your specific problem with size.

BT.

 

[Ken]

I have a very small head - size 6 5/8 or 53 cm. This means nearly all glasses are way to large for my face especially aviator ones.

Ken

 

[The Wingnut]

Ken,

Ray-Ban makes a 'Small' Aviator, in 52MM. Hard to find, but you can have them ordered by most mall outlets.

American Optical is re-issuing the classic aviator(called the GENERAL), which is more true to the WWII style, and it comes in a wide range of sizes. It's also about $40 cheaper than a pair of Ray-Bans at $50.

U.S. Wings for once gets somthing right.

http://www.uswings.com/sunglasses.asp#General

As for prewar stuff, the look is a thin steel wire frame and 100% circular lenses, with either very dark gray lenses or GREEN lenses. I have a pair like this, but they're a mild prescription, and hurt my eyes.

 

[android]

Vintage Sunglasses -Merged Thread-

I've been meaning to get a new pair of Wayfarers and finally made it to the Hut of Sunglasses to take a look. Luxotica has purchased the RayBan name from B&L and packed up all fabrication equipment and hauled it to Italy.

Here's the good part. They have reintroduced the 1943 plastics in the light tortoise and black. They both come in regular and large sizes. The shape is slightly different from the "New Wayfarer", a little less extreme. The light tortoise color is also more subdued than the new tortoise color.

The hing is upgraded, but you can't see it anyway. The only annoying bit is the white RayBan logo on the corner of the lens. I bought a tortoise pair and wil go back for a black pair soon. Sticker price is $79.

 

[BellyTank]

Any pics of the ''43 plastics'? I have some older Wayfarer style B&L with 2tone brown or brown and black- I'll have to look and check it out- I'm not a RB expert.

BT.

 

[android]

Closeup:

Me wearing them:

 

[BellyTank]

OK- the ones I have are old and the frames are dark tortoise or brown and the whole top bar is black(and the arms I think)- I don't know what they're called- if that style/colorway of Wayfarer has a name. Actually, I'm not sure if that have the 'Wayfarer' name marked on them. They're vintage B&L though and have the etched monogram.
I also have some nice old B&L etched, black framed, dk. green lens safety glasses. The lenses are marked 'BL2'.

Are these ones of your classic Wayfarer style or different? or does the photo have a bit of distortion?
BT.

 

[matei]

Ray-Ban "Clubmasters"?

Does anyone know anything about Ray-Ban "Clubmaster" shades? They are somewhat more stylish looking than the Wayfarers. Any idea when Ray-Ban introduced them? They look rather retro...

 

[Zach R.]

The Wayfarer was introduced in 1952, I don't know the exact year but I do know that the Clubmaster model was released not too far after.

I only own a pair of Aviators with the "wrap-around" ear-pieces(the exact term escapes me at the moment).

 

[matei]

Thanks for the info. I was looking for something "classic", but I didn't want to go the aviator route 'cos they don't look good on me. I did have a pair of black Wayfarers, but in my mind they'll forever be associated with the eighties!

I've just bid on a pair of tortoise-shell Wayfarer II shades...

 

[Quigley Brown]

What I do is buy old frames from the 40s-50s and have an optical shop put in shaded lenses. There's a bit of a cost to it, but they become one-of-a-kind sunglasses.

 

[DanielJones]

Vintage Sunglasses -Merged Thread-

Unfortunately for me my eyes are quite light sensitive so I'm always wearing sunglasses outside even with a hat on. An accident cooked my eyes so theyre open a little wider than they should be. makes it great for my night vision though.

Does anybody recognise the style of specs that Jeff Bridges is wearing in this image?
http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/movie/seabiscuit/01.jpeg

I would love to be able to wear something a little more period than my Serrigetti's. The dark amber lenses are perfect because they cut most of the glare that causes the irritation without being too dark. If anyone has some info on this I would be most greatful. Thanks for the help folks!

Cheers!

Dan

 

[Daniel Riser]

Lauren and I bought a bunch of deadstock early 30's sunglasses that look more like the kind Bridges' wife wears, but they are unisex. I wear them. I'll post a link, from the suit section, where I am wearing them. We may still have a pair left to sell. They are original deadstock. Of course you wouldn't receive the original card because it's one large card holding... I think originally 20 sunglasses. We sold 3/4 of them and kept a couple for ourselves.

 

[DanielJones]

Thank you Daniel. I would like to see them. Are the lenses the dark amber or the gray/green color? I find the dark amber lenses very versatile in different lighting conditions. Thanks again.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[DanielJones]

Frame type...

Daniel Riser: Are they a wire rim or the plastic rim like the Gatsby style sunglasses?

Cheers!

Dan

 

[DanielJones]

new inquiry...

How about the style shown on Tick Tock McGlagughlin here?

Are these a Gatsby style or something intirely different?

Cheers!

Dan