The Cat-Eye: A Style for Every Decade

Updated on 11.18.20221930 to 2010 eyewear evolution: 1930 blue, 1940 red with white dots, 1950 purple, 1960 black, 1970 tortoise, 1980 gold, 1990 black, 2000 pink, 2010 blue.

Cat-eye glasses are one style that has stood the test of time. Nearly a century old, the cat-eye has managed to create its own distinct look each decade. >Cat-eye glasses were first created in the 1930s. The frame later became a huge trend for sunglasses in the 1960s when Audrey Hepburn famously wore them in the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Since then, we’ve seen the cat-eye on everyone from Barbie, to Marilyn Monroe, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and today’s top fashion influencers.

A History of the Cat-Eye Glasses Frames

Woman wearing cat-eye glasses and a dark headscarf looking up.Image source: Vanity Fair

The 1930s: Cat-eye glasses are born after Altina Schinasi walked by an optician’s office and noticed the lack of stylish options for women. Inspired by the masks that Schinasi saw in Venice, Italy, she designed glasses with exaggerated framing around the eyes. After being turned down by multiple opticians, she finally gained a fan in one glasses boutique in New York City.

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Woman wearing dark-rimmed glasses and a hairband, looking ahead.Image source: Pinterest

The 1940s: During this decade, the now famous frames started to be referred to as the “Harlequin.” The trend was a rectangle lens with a thick frame, a slight uplift at the sides, and small details at the corners such as little gold stars.

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Woman wearing vintage cat-eye glasses looks surprised, with her hand touching her cheek.Image source: selectspecs.com

The 1950s: Cat-eye glasses became more narrow and pointed during the 1950s. This style gained popularity after Marilyn Monroe started wearing cat-eye glasses in her films.

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Woman wearing dark sunglasses, a jeweled hair accessory, and statement earrings.Image source: Dress to Kill magazine

The 1960s: The smaller cat-eye frame began to transform into a larger, oversized frame. Cat-eye sunglasses became all the rage after Audrey Hepburn wore a pair in her 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

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Woman wearing dark oversized sunglasses with reflection of people in the lenses, and a button-down shirt.Image source: Vanity Fair

The 1970s: Eyewear in general became larger and more circular in the 1970s. Cat-eye glasses changed to a more dramatic shape to keep up with the times.

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Blonde person wearing white-frame sunglasses with red lenses and a red polka-dot blouse.Image source: InStyle

The 1980s: The oversized trend from the 1970s continued into the 1980s, when cat-eye glasses started to show up in extremely large, face-shielding metal frames.

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Woman wearing dark sunglasses and gold dangling earrings, with wet hair and red lipstick.Image source: Harper’s Bazaar

The 1990s: Colored lenses were the go-to style of the 90s (colored lenses are also making a comeback this year). The oversized cat-eye frame was now being worn in a wide range of bright colors.

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Woman wearing stylish cat-eye sunglasses with a light pink frame and tinted lenses.Image source: Star Style

The 2000s: With the new millennium came even bigger glasses. Cat-eyes were being worn in thick, chunky frames, often with bedazzling on the sides.

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Woman wearing a yellow off-shoulder top with sunglasses, hoop earrings, and layered gold necklaces.Image source: Rihanna

The 2010s: The retro cat-eye trend is seen everywhere and on everyone. This time the frame is more geometric and considerably smaller than what we’ve seen in previous years.

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