Is This Eyewear Fashion Trend Making a Comeback?
Some trends are easier to spot than others, and some cities play host to fashion trends well in advance of other cities. Here in Portland, we seem to be in a hotspot for all things trendy, from food to eyewear to music, and not all of it looks forward. Instead, much of it points to the not-so-recent past, where clothing, jewelry, and yes, even eyewear, had its own unique personality. And one of the things we’re seeing lately, is the return of the monocle.
With the ongoing rise of hipster-dom, the notion that putting one’s eyes on the past goes well beyond the casual trip to the vintage clothing stores on a cold winter weekend. Combing old magazines for advertisements and fashion spreads, studying old films for glints of trends gone by, and creating entire businesses out of throw-back styles seems to be all the rage, with a serious premium being placed on a truly unique and authentic interpretation of yester-year.
In a very recent NY Times article entitled: “One Part Mr. Peanut, One Part Hipster Chic,” the author claims that the monocle, of all things, is poised to make its own fashion comeback. With one too many iconic screen stars and robber barons from days’ past calling the monocle fashion friend, it’s easy to see why young style conscious hipsters would want to pluck a trend from the past in order to stand out from their peers. Plaid shirts with the sleeves rolled up over the elbows, artisanal careers in things like butchering meats and making charcuterie or craft beer — why not throw a monocle onto your eye to complete the whole look?
Here’s a brief history of the monocle, and a short list of famous people who have worn monocles. Here is another list of famous literary characters who have donned monocles, too. What do you think about this trend?
[Photo Via: Lumete]