Fashion and Eyewear Trends 2020: The Seventies

For over four years. I’ve written a monthly column for the professional print journal Optometry Today. I Iook at a different eyewear trend each month, based on current and upcoming trends in the world of both fashion and eyewear. The two go hand-in-hand, so it seems logical to put them in a series of short articles throughout the year.

In one of this year’s key trends, retro meets new. Fashion and eyewear designers have used the 2020 vision of hindsight and taken inspiration from the seventies. I have to be honest and say categorically, that despite being born in 1973, it is my least favourite decade sartorially. I don’t like flared jeans, I don’t like pointed collars and I don’t like crimpolene. With all that being said, this season, the catwalk designs are a little more wearable with some streamlined suits and some easy-to-wear dresses in my current favourite length, the midi. The seventies-inspired eyewear though is a different matter. I love it all. Think oversized lenses, gradient shades and bags of attitude.

This limited-edition steel and acetate frame in dark Havana and beige, epitomises 1970s colours. Handmade by Jeremy Tarian, it is one of a limited run of 500. (See me wearing my own piece of Tarian eyewear in this blog post).

The Maracaibo by Etnia Barcelona might have vintage looks but it benefits from all mod cons. A triple-layer anti-reflective interior and oleophobic lenses keep it looking pristine.

Trendy, edgy, big and thin- are adjectives that can all apply to Be Cult by Woow. This flamboyant style is flattering and easy to wear courtesy of the ultra-thin metal.

A version of this article first appeared in Optometry Today Volume 60:01

All catwalk images from vogue.co.uk