80s Glasses
80s Glasses: Bold Retro Frames for Every Occasion
80s glasses are frames built on the large, bold outlines of the 1980s: big plastic fronts, aviator double bridges, heavy brows and bright color. At Aoolia, every 80s frame is sorted by where you'll actually wear it (Stage for parties, Street for weekend daylight, Desk for an ordinary Monday), so you can shop for the occasion, not just the decade.
The 80s Dial: pick your 80s glasses by where you'll wear them
Stage — seen from across the room. Frames [140] mm wide or more, in bright color or with mirror or color lenses. Every Stage frame can be ordered with clear lenses, so you can still see the dance floor. Street — weekend daylight. Aviators, double bridges, big squares and browlines in black, tortoise, gold or crystal, ready for sun lenses.Desk — Monday-proof. The same 80s outlines at [20] g or under, with lenses no taller than [46] mm and colors that sit well with a work shirt.
How we sort
Every frame and color on this page is placed on the 80s Dial by measurements, not by mood. Stage frames are at least [140] mm wide and come in bright colors or with mirror or color lenses, with a clear-lens option. Street frames are aviators, double bridges, big squares and browlines in classic colors that take sun lenses. Desk frames keep an 80s outline but weigh [20] g or less, with lenses up to [46] mm tall. One frame can sit in two places: the same shape in hot pink is Stage, and in black it may be Desk. Frames that fit none of the three, such as slim rectangles and rimless styles, aren't on this page.
What made glasses look 80s
A browline puts a thick acetate bar across the top and finishes the lower half in thin metal. The result carries the weight of a Heavy Line where your brows are and almost none below. It's the easiest hipster frame to wear to an office, and the one that looks most deliberate in photos.
Hairline: Thin-Wire Hipster Glasses
The 80s wasn't one look. Early in the decade, large plastic frames led, often with faceted fronts, stone or jewel details and softened round-top shapes. As the decade went on, small metal frames and tortoise gained ground, with splashes of neon throughout. By the 1990s, eyewear had swung to rimless and skinny rectangles. That split is why the 80s Dial has both big Stage frames and lighter Desk frames.Source: Eyecare Business, 'Eyewear & Sunglass Fashions: 25 years of style, stars, and sales,'September 2011.
80s Glasses FAQ
What glasses were popular in the 80s?
Large plastic frames defined the early 1980s, often with faceted fronts and jewel or stone details. Later in the decade, small metal frames and tortoise became popular, and neon showed up throughout. Aviators and browlines carried over from earlier decades and stayed in heavy rotation.
How do I wear 80s glasses without looking like I'm in costume?
Start on the Desk or Street side of the 80s Dial: an 80s outline in black, tortoise, gold or crystal reads as retro, not costume. Save bright colors and mirror lenses for Stage moments. Using Aoolia's virtual try-on, check that the frame's top line sits near your brows.
Can I get 80s glasses with lenses in my own numbers?
Yes. Most frames on this page can be ordered with clear lenses made to your numbers, sun lenses or clear non-power lenses. Lens options are listed on each frame's page.
Which 80s glasses work best for an indoor party?
Choose a Stage frame with clear or lightly tinted lenses. Dark sun lenses make a dim room hard to see in, which is a common complaint with costume shades. Bright frames do the 80s work, so the lenses don't have to.
How late can I order 80s glasses for a party?
It depends on the lenses. Check the Party Clock on this page: it lists the latest order date for each lens choice with standard and expedited shipping, counting business days only.