Sunglasses, meant for protection of eyes from the sun's strong glare, have become a global fashion icon from a simple utility in their history. From ancient Rome and various forms of eye protection in many cultures, it was only in the 20th century that sunglasses took on their current role as symbols of style and celebrities' privacy.
The idea to protect the eyes from bright light dates back in time. As the story has it, Nero, the Roman Emperor, employed polished gemstones to shield his eyes as he watched gladiator fights, early sun protection. Meanwhile, across the far north, the Inuit people, and the Yupik of Alaskan, made their snow goggles with materials such as antlers and whalebone. These goggles, featuring small horizontal slits, helped hunters focus on their prey while protecting their eyes from the intense glare of the snow.
In 12th-century China, judges wore sunglasses made from smoked quartz to conceal their facial expressions, allowing them to remain neutral and dignified while making decisions. The sunglasses served a dual purpose: protecting the eyes from the sun while maintaining emotional restraint in a professional setting.
Sunglasses were already made in Venice by the 18th century. The glassmakers of this city, known for their fine work, had already produced tinted lenses to shield the eyes from the sun. Green-tinted glasses, for instance, were held up to the face like a mirror by Venetian ladies as they traveled through gondolas to protect their eyes from the sunlight.
However, it was only in the 20th century that sunglasses became a style and celebrity icon. The rise of Hollywood in the 1920s was instrumental in changing the status of sunglasses from a mere accessory to a fashion item. Movie stars, such as Greta Garbo, started wearing sunglasses to protect their eyes from the intense studio lights and, more importantly, to preserve their privacy in public. Their darkness concealed the identity and mystery surrounding a few stars trying to avoid annoying interactions with public fans and a lot of photographing by media. Audrey Hepburn, particularly famous for acting as Holly Golightly in the movie *Breakfast at Tiffany's*, took dark Oliver Goldsmith glasses-a chic accessory-something both within and outside cinemas.
Sunglasses became a part of World War II with Ray-Ban's Aviators, which were actually designed for the U.S. Army Air Corps to reduce glare and protect the eyes of the pilots while in flight. Thin metal frames, dark green lenses, and the sleek design led to their immediate popularity among the civilians. It was General Douglas MacArthur, who used the Ray-Bans during the war, that marked the sunglasses as a symbol of authority and masculinity.
Sunglasses started to become an essential fashion item in the 1960s and 1970s with style icons Jacqueline Kennedy wearing oversized designer frames, and John Lennon sporting round glasses as part of his image. Sunglasses, once only meant to protect eyes, were a way to say something about your personality, conveying sophistication, coolness, or being aloof.
Sunglasses have become a must-have item in modern life. People can see them everywhere: from the streets to beaches and tennis courts. Styles come in all forms and can help express one's personal fashion while keeping eyes protected. Celebrities and influencers still find sunglasses as an excellent tool for both fashion and privacy. For instance, Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue, has created a fashion icon by making oversized, dark sunglasses an integral part of her look. She often wears them to even the most formal occasions.
Sunglasses have also become a way for people to shield themselves from close scrutiny. Whether they’re shielding their eyes from the sun or concealing their emotions, sunglasses give wearers a sense of privacy. For figures like Stevie Wonder, who wears glasses due to his blindness, sunglasses have become an integral part of his identity, symbolizing both his uniqueness and his iconic status.
From their simple origins as useful tools for protection, to where they stand today as a fashionable statement, sunglasses now represent much more than protection. They may turn out to be markers of style, personality, and status - evolving even further with each generation.
