Once associated mainly with 1950′s secretaries, grouchy librarians, grandmothers, and Dame Edna, cat eye glasses have traversed the gamut from out to back in again. They have “good girl” connotations but with a large dollop of quirkiness – so if you’d like to look feminine without looking like you stepped off an assembly line of bland, pretty girls, they’re certainly a style to consider (full disclosure – my very first pair of vintage eyeglasses was a cat eye pair, and I love love love them).
Cat eye glasses, since the edges come to a point, accentuate the angles of your face. If your face has a round, soft shape and you’d like to bring out your cheekbones and jawline, definitely give them a whirl. If your face leans toward the oblong end of the spectrum or you’re looking for something to soften your features, a rounder shape might be preferable.
Many cat eye glasses have some ornamentation or detailing around the edges, and often the designs are subtle and tasteful. Sometimes they veer more into overly costume-y Dame Edna territory and will take more care and forethought to match to an outfit. Enjoy the ornamentation and have fun with it — your glasses can almost function as a quirky piece of jewelry.
The first time I wore my cat eye glasses – vintage 1950′s, aluminum frame – my boyfriend said I looked “like a secretary in a superhero movie.” You may also enjoy looking like a naughty librarian, a saucy shopgirl, or simply like a smart, stylish woman.
retro cat eye glasses
