Plastic frames were extremely popular from 1955 to the late 1960's. Thousands of different styles were introduced. Only a few styles remained consistently popular. Most notable is the "Women Browline and Mens Browline" favored by politicians, lawyers, business leaders, television personalities, movie stars and Malcolm X. Although considered a man's style, so many women purchased this design that manufacturers introduced a more delicate version for women. Eyeglasses were not gender specific until after WWII. Throughout history, men, women, and children wore the same styles. Round lens frames were popular in the 1920's and 30's and again in the 1950's and 60's.

After WWII until the mid 1970's aluminum frames were available in the more exclusive optical shops and by special order. Because aluminum is soft many of these frames that have survived are not suitable for everyday use because they are scratched or bent. Examples in never used condition are extremely rare and in high demand. I have a few aluminum frames that have never been mounted with lenses. I also have a few aluminum frames that are in excellent overall condition. Please send an email requesting images of my current stock.

Popular plastic styles include Spotlite, Statesmen, Almira, All State, Festival, Trimline, and dozens of others. Most popular colors included black, brown, gray, french amber, and several shades of tortoise shell.

I recently purchased a warehouse stock salesmen's sample plastic frames for men and for women. All these frames date to the 1960's and early 1970's. I have more than a thousand such frames in stock. All are new, never used. Generally I have just one or two frames of any given style. Request an email photo catalog that includes sizes and price. Please state either men's or women's styles. Note: Catseyes are listed separately, see below.

The "fade" such as Grayfade, Brownfade, Blackfade, and Blondefade in which the color fades from dark at the top to clear at the bottom was another favorite.

Women's Sunglasses: Mens Sunglasses Part of my recent warehouse purchase included hundreds of pairs of vintage sunglasses made by American Optical Company, Bausch & Lombe, Ray Ban, Art Craft, and other makers from the 1960's and 70's. All sunglasses come in their original box, many with their original leather cases.

The "Catseyes" has to be regarded as one of the most successful eyeglass designs, ever. Early catseye frames could be worn by both men and women. However, women soon clamed the style and manufacturers, quick to realize the sales potential, femonized the catseye, in some cases to the extreme. I dated during the early 1960's and married in 1966. Boys paid attention to girls who wore catseyes. The style was a bit daring, sexy, and independent. Many catseye style frames were accented with rhinestones. Even girls that did not need eyeglasses found excuses to wear catseyes, many as sunglasses and more than a few with plain glass lenses. Because of their popularity, catseyes were made in thousands of styles and in prices that ranged from $30 to more than $1000. Examples in gold, platinum, with precious stones and in real tortoise shell turn up at estate sales and auctions.

The late 1950's and early 1960's was the time of large automobiles with large tail fins, wild cloths, chrome and plywood furniture for the home, and wild, wild eyeglass designs. Jacqueline Kennedy popularized French and Italian designer eyeglasses. Some of the frames she wore covered half her face. Surviving examples of 1960's designer frames are sought after by collectors as well as those who want a pair for daily use.

Beginning in 1965, manufacturers experimented with lens size and shape. Many unique designs were produced in the years 1965 through 1975. Plastic frames from this period have large lenses and bold designs. Metal frames from this period come in sizes larger than what was available before.

Most of the 1950-1960 eyeglasses on this page are from warehouse stocks. None have lenses. I have many examples of some styles and only two or three examples of others.

Retro Styles: A few frames that come to us as part of a store stock or warehouse lot do not fit into the categories we normally offer for sale. Many such frames are custom orders, designer created, or early reproductions of an earlier style. Therefore our Retro category is a mix of styles, time periods, and custom made frames.