What Are Circle Glasses? - All About Vision

What Are Circle Glasses? - All About Vision

Circle glasses have been a fashion favorite since the 1960s and 1970s. Also called tea shades, the simplistic round or circular glasses have long been considered a fashion staple among pop icons, including John Lennon, Elton John, Ozzy Osbourne and Andy Warhol, along with more contemporary celebrities like Kendall Jenner. 

If you like circle glasses but aren’t sure about how to sport the style of the stars, read on to learn about the history of the frames, how to wear round glasses, which face shape suits circular frames, how to style around the stand-out specs and more.

Circle glasses: Vintage chic with a classic appeal

Round frames exude a classic appeal that is both timeless and chic at the same time. The ever-functional pair of round eyeglasses dates as far back as the 13th century, when frames were made using heavy materials such as iron and leather. In the 20th century, round eyeglasses and sunglasses became all the rage.

As an illustration of their versatility and cross-platform appeal, circular frames and lenses have been popular with politicians, actors, musicians, artists, fashion icons and business leaders. Some of the famous people to have donned a pair of round glasses are: 

It's hard to picture Apple co-founder Steve Jobs without his famous circle glasses.

The hippie culture of the 1960s may have popularized round glasses, but their popularity has not dipped even after so many decades. Over time, new shades and lens features in round glasses have come along, allowing people to choose from numerous colors, designs and lens coatings.

How to wear round glasses

Circle glasses feature a curved, circular-shaped lens that flatters the face, blending effortlessly with your facial features. With a modest pair of circular lenses, the focus is not drawn to your outfit or height but directly to your face. So, if you want glasses that highlight you and not your clothes, then round glasses are perfect.

Robert Thorne
Author

Robert Thorne

Robert Thorne covers electric vehicle innovations, autonomous driving systems, global mobility trends, and automotive engineering developments.