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The 70s is Defining Our Sunglasses This Summer – These Pairs Win My Vote

Groovy, baby.

Last Updated on February 17, 2023

70s sunglasses are in, and we’ve found 17 of the best pairs you can buy now.

The 70s was a decade of bold psychedelic fashion, like frayed pants, maxi dresses, peasant blouses and suede jackets. But possibly my favourite item to come out of the era were the oversized sunglasses.

READ MORE: New Year, New Shades: The Biggest Sunglasses Trends of 2023

XXL shades were huge; everyone wore large, circular or square-shaped frames that provide ample protection from the sun’s harmful rays – but of course, it was mainly a style statement.

Courtesy of Copenhagen Fashion Week

Another critical feature of 70s sunglasses were the tinted lenses. Thanks to the innovative technological advances in eyewear during the decade, photochromic and tinted lenses were all the rage—from sepia tones to bright blue tints.

These cool shades came in a rainbow of colours, from orange to green and even pink. Today, this is a great way to add a pop of colour to any outfit.

Over the past couple of summers, we’ve seen a huge rise in 70s-style sunglasses. Retro aviators with yellow lenses and oversized tortoiseshell frames are perhaps the most popular, with designers like Gucci and Fendi adding groovy pairs to their spring summer collections in a nod to the past.

Y2K fashion may be dominating spring summer 2023 trends, but it’s the retro aesthetic of the 70s that’s catching our attention for summer accessories.

So if you’re thinking of getting a cool pair of 70s-style sunglasses, check out our edit below.

READ MORE: 5 Reasons Why It’s More Than OK to Wear Sunglasses in Winter

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Shop 70s style sunglasses

Round-frame gold-tone sunglasses, Gucci

Round-frame gold-tone sunglasses, £310, Gucci – buy now

ORANGE TORTOISESHELL OVERSIZED SUNGLASSES River Island

Orange Tortoiseshell Oversized Sunglasses, £16, River Island – buy now

Cat-eye acetate sunglasses, Celine

Cat-eye acetate sunglasses, £310, Celine – buy now

Oversized square-frame tortoiseshell acetate sunglasses, Fendi

Oversized square-frame tortoiseshell acetate sunglasses, £310, Fendi – buy now

M&S COLLECTION Angular Oversized Sunglasses

Angular Oversized Sunglasses, £15, M&S – buy now

READ MORE: 19 Pairs of Chic Cat Eye Sunglasses That Suit Any Face Shape

Oversized square-frame acetate sunglasses, Bottega Veneta

Oversized square-frame acetate sunglasses, £340, Bottega Veneta – buy now

Aviator-style gold-tone sunglasses, Dior

Aviator-style gold-tone sunglasses, £460, Dior – buy now

The Dimby 2 Jimmy Fairly

The Dimby 2, £129, Jimmy Fairly – buy now

Oversized oval-frame striped acetate sunglasses, Loewe

Oversized oval-frame striped acetate sunglasses, £290, Loewe – buy now

READ MORE: Aviator Sunglasses Are Never Going Out Of Style – Here Are Our Favourites

Tortoiseshell-effect oversize-frame sunglasses, Gucci

Tortoiseshell-effect oversize-frame sunglasses, £240, Gucci – buy now

Silver Screen oversized-frame sunglasses, Velvet Canyon

Silver Screen oversized-frame sunglasses, £225, Velvet Canyon – buy now

Tinted oversize-frame sunglasses Alexander McQueen

Tinted oversize-frame sunglasses, £312, Alexander McQueen – buy now

Burt Sunglasses Messy Weekend

Burt Sunglasses, £90, Messy Weekend – buy now

Megalast sunglasses, Grey Ant

Megalast sunglasses, now £434, Grey Ant – buy now

Wilson sunglasses, Garrett Leight

Wilson sunglasses, £291, Garrett Leight – buy now

U10 sunglasses, Kuboraum

U10 sunglasses, £288, Kuboraum – buy now

Sugar Oversized Square Sunglasses Free People

Sugar Oversized Square Sunglasses, £22, Free People – buy now

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